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Tag Archives: Midland

A Week in Midland

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James and I drove up to Midland the Friday before Memorial Day. We stayed at his grandparent’s house Friday through Monday. We celebrated his Mom’s birthday (see previous post) and otherwise just enjoyed family time.

Jessica Bouncing on a Ball, 5/29/11

Jessica Testing out Great-Granny's Phone, 5/30/11

Monday afternoon, I put him on a plane back to Austin. Texas Painting painted the majority of our interior walls plus installed crown molding in our living/kitchen/breakfast room and master bathroom. Being pregnant, I didn’t really want Jessica or myself to be around the paint fumes, so we stayed in Midland at my parent’s house until Saturday morning when drove back to Austin.

It just so happened that this same week was the week my nephews Cameron and Trevor were visiting Nanny too, so Jessica got lots of play time with her cousins. Tuesday morning, we went to Opportunity Park to play. A cooler day with highs only to reach the mid-90s, it was a perfect day to go to the park. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Jessica Riding a Frog, 5/31/11

Jessica Swinging, 5/31/11

Cameron, Trevor and Jessica Checking Out the Train, 5/31/11

Trevor and Jessica Riding a Dinosaur, 5/31/11

Jessica and Trevor in the Airplane, 5/31/11

Nanny with Jessica, Trevor and Cameron on an Elephant, 5/31/11

Trevor, Jessica, Cameron and Jennifer on a Bench Swing, 5/31/11

That afternoon, we let the kiddos play in the wading pool in my parent’s backyard. I hadn’t known that my Mom had gotten a wading pool, so I didn’t bring swim stuff for Jessica, but my sister had packed more than one swim diaper for Trevor, so she just wore that. Jessica enjoyed the wading pool immensely. I think she might have enjoyed being in the water more than Cameron and Trevor as they kept going in and out of the pool, but Jessica just stood or sat in the water pouring water from one cup to a bucket and back.

Cameron and Jessica in the Pool, 5/31/11

Trevor, Jessica and Cameron Having Fun in the Water, 5/31/11

Jessica Cheesing it Up, 5/31/11

Thursday morning, the Midland Library held the annual summer reading program’s kick-off event, so we went to check it out. While we waited for the activities to start, Cameron, Trevor and Jessica worked some puzzles.

Cameron and Trevor Working Puzzles with Nanny, 6/2/11

Jessica Intently Working a Puzzle, 6/2/11

This year’s theme is Dig Up a Good Book and the kids made toilet paper roll dinosaurs.

Jessica Coloring Her Dinosaur, 6/2/11

Nanny Helping Cameron and Trevor with Their Dinosaurs, 6/2/11

Then we went to the library patio where they served popcorn and lemonade and had an area where the kids could dig for dinosaurs. Cameron really got into digging in the sand.

Cameron and Trevor Digging for Dinosaurs, 6/2/11

Jessica Digging for Dinosaurs, 6/2/11

Trevor, Jessica and Cameron, 6/3/11


The entire time we were in Midland, I would ask for Jessica to give kisses. When I would say this around Trevor, he would give kisses too. I finally got some pictures of the affectionate nature of these two on Friday.

Kissing Cousins, 6/3/11

Hugging Cousins, 6/3/11

My parents left at lunchtime to take Cameron and Trevor home. Before they left, the kiddos played while my Mom packed.

Jessica Sporting Her Papa's Hat, 6/3/11


Superhero Cameron, 6/3/11


We then walked to the mailbox. All of them loved the sidewalk “balance beam” between my parent’s and neighbors yards.

Trevor and Jessica, 6/3/11


Hugging Cousins, 6/3/11


Friday after Jessica’s afternoon nap, we went over to her Nana’s for some playtime and dinner.

Jessica Working a Puzzle, 6/3/11


Dawson and Joe Playing with Jessica, 6/3/11

Christmas in Midland

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This post is very picture heavy (30 pictures total) and maybe I should have split it in two, but oh well.

We drove to Midland the Wednesday before Christmas. This was the first long car ride with Jessica forward facing. We took along some baby DVDs and she spent most of her time in the car watching them, outside of the very short nap she took. Her favorite is the Baby Einstein Baby MacDonald video about the farm. By the time we went to Keller for New Year’s weekend, she was pointing up at the DVD player if she was awake and there wasn’t a video in it. I’m not sure that is a good thing, but we don’t really watch any TV when we’re at home, so I guess in the car it is okay.

I tried to have holiday inspired clothing for each of the four full days we were in Midland. Here she is on the day before Christmas Eve.

Jessica Modeling her Ho Ho Ho Outfit

Chilling on the Couch

Jessica enjoyed playing with her cousin Dawson while in Midland. The first two days we were there, he was all about “baby Jessica.” Here he is chasing her in the kitchen.

"You can't catch me."

Christmas Eve morning, we went over to my parents’ house before going to Rosa’s to lunch with them. We pretty much always make a stop at Rosa’s when we’re in town.

Jessica and her Nanny

Jessica Working a Puzzle

Late afternoon, we attended the candlelit service at Crestview Baptish Church with James’ parents and our nephew Dawson. After the service, a photo op presented itself in the church lobby. Although Crestview was pretty casual in terms of Christmas attire, I loved getting all dressed up. Having a child makes me get sentimental, and I always remembered a new dress for Christmas. Jessica’s dress is Christmasy with snowmen and Christmas trees, but with the colors not outwardly Christmasy. I look forward to many more Christmases of getting dressed up for church.

Family Photo

Joe, Olivia, Jennifer, Jessica, Dawson and James

After church, we all ate dinner (Tami, Randy, Granny & Pawpaw too). Then we opened gifts. Usually James’ family just digs into presents and no one really gets to see anyone open anything, but this year we watched the kiddos open a few things before everyone else dug in.

Dawson showed his Christmas spirit by wearing a Santa hat the entire evening.

Dawson Opening a Gift

It was so much fun watching Jessica open her gifts. I think she really gets present opening now.

Jessica Getting Some Help From Grandpa

Jessica Opening a Gift From Nana and Grandpa

Jessica Opening a Gift From Mama and Daddy

James and I didn’t really get her much this year since the big Santa gift we had planned fell through due to being out of stock. However, the books we did get her, she really enjoyed.

Jessica Checking Out a New Book

Jessica Opening a Gift From Great Aunt Cytha

One of the gifts James’ parents got Jessica was this Bethlehem book that sings. Jessica really liked how it lit up too.

Jessica Enjoying the Lights of O Little Town of Bethlehem

For James’ Mom and my Dad this year, I made a Shutterfly book that looked back on Jessica’s first year. I made a third one for Jessica too. I had wanted to share it on my blog, but you have to set up a Shutterfly share site. Instead if you want to see it, come visit (I love to have company) and look at Jessica’s.

Olivia Opening Her Gift From Us

Before Tami, Randy, and Dawson left to go home, I took some family photos. I had wanted some with Dawson too, but he’s at an age where all he wants to do is make faces at the camera (I hope Jessica never reaches that phase).

James and His Sister Tami

James With His Mom and Sister

Here’s Jessica in her Christmas pajamas Christmas morning. Aren’t those little reindeer on the feet cute?

Jessica Sitting on the Floor

One of her favorite activities at James’ parent’s house was climbing the high chair. She would go up and down repeatedly. It about gave James’ Mom a heart attack, but she only fell once and it barely even phased her.

Jessica Climbing the High Chair

After breakfast, Jessica opened her gift from Santa. She really enjoyed the stuffed dog Santa brought her. “Santa” only spent $5 on that dog since he was busy buying gifts for other kiddos and got the dog as a deal.

Jessica Opening Santa Gift

Jessica Hugging Her New Friend

We then went over to my parents’ house to visit and eat lunch. Jessica opened her stocking there and she discovered how tasty marshmallows were.

Jessica Sampling a Marshmallow

Santa visited Jessica at my parents’ house and brought her a Curious George book and monkey. She seemed to dig the monkey and held him while I took some photos before we left.

Jessica with Her Nanny and Papa

That afternoon we opened stockings with James’ family. Jessica helped her Daddy open his stocking. She enjoyed all the sparkly sequins on the stocking James’ grandmother made for him a long time ago.

Helping Daddy With His Stocking

Jessica Modeling a Santa Hat

Dawson received a number of Wii and Nintendo DS video games for Christmas including a Wii Lego game from us. He spent most of the time he was at James’ parents’ house that day playing on his DS (a kid loves new play things). Jessica was very interested in what he was doing.

James and Jessica Onlooking Dawson's Game

After the big Christmas dinner, I took some more family photos.

James With His Pawpaw and Granny

James' Parents: Joe and Olivia

There’s even one of James and I.

Jennifer and James

Sunday was pretty leisurely. We went to church with James’ parents and had lunch at the new Genghis Grill. I then went over to my parent’s office and we walked to Manor Park to visit my grandmother. Alzheimer’s is the most depressing disease in the world. The previous time I had visited my grandmother, I hadn’t expected the Alzheimer’s to have progressed that much, so it was rather upsetting. This time I knew more of what to expect and it wasn’t as upsetting, but the disease still stinks, big time. It’s nice to know that she is well taken care of in the Younger Center at Manor Park though.

Tami, Randy and Dawson came over for dinner that night. I actually got a decent photo of Dawson and his Mom.

Dawson and Tami

After Jessica went to sleep, James and I met up with my friend Brian. It’s sad that we both travel over 300 miles to visit  with each other when we live less than 300 miles apart (he lives in Houston).  Monday morning, we returned to Austin. It was nice visiting with family, but we were happy to be back in our own beds.

Stay tuned for more pictures from the rest of our Christmas festivities.

Evans Family Reunion & 70th Wedding Anniversary

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James’ grandparents, Cecil and Freda Evans, were married September 10, 1940. That’s a whooping 70 years of wedded bliss.

Over Labor Day weekend, all the Evans kids, grand-kids and great-grand-kids plus some assorted nieces and nephews and some others got together to celebrate this momentous milestone. We had a great time catching up with everyone.

Saturday morning, Jessica played on Nana’s living room floor. Isn’t that tongue sticking out cute?

Jessica Playing

"Are you done taking pictures yet, Mom?"

After some time spent at Granny and Pawpaw’s house, we went and had a somewhat early dinner at Tampico, a great little Mexican food restaurant that we seem to go to at least once whenever we go to Midland. As this was not the official reunion/celebration, not everyone made it to dinner. However, I was able to take a photo of everyone who came except Randy, who doesn’t do flash photos, and Dawson, who didn’t want to be in a picture for some reason.

Jessica and James

Larry III and Denise

Boyd and Jamie

Freda, Cecil and Norene

Kay and Larry

Jane and John

Jason and Dory

Boyd, Braiden and Barrett

Braiden is always game to have his picture taken.

Barrett, Rachel, Braiden and Howie

Aundra and Lyle

Carson almost didn’t want to have his picture taken either; however, we were able to convince him. I’m sure that it didn’t hurt that I didn’t say anything about him giving Fallon rabbit ears.

Carleigh, Fallon and Carson

Olivia and Joe

James and Jennifer

Jessica and her Aunt Tami

The big reunion/celebration was held on Sunday at Clear Springs Restaurant in one of their side rooms. After a late lunch, cake and ice cream were served. Jessica ate ice cream for the first time and loved it. Group photos followed on the patio.

The Whole Gang

This next photo is of Granny and Pawpaw with their kids and their spouses, their grandkids and their spouses, and their great-grandkids. Four generations of Evans.

Four Generations

I like this next photo of Granny and Pawpaw with their kids. The only one missing is David, Tami’s father who died when she was three.

Dale, Kay, Boyd, Cecil and Freda

Siblings

The group photos were taken on my camera using my Dad’s tripod. A nice waitress snapped them after I got everyone in the frame. After the group photos were done, Howie seemed really interested in my camera, so I let her take some photos (no fear of a 6-year-old dropping the camera when it’s on a tripod). This next photo is one she took of her Mom and 2nd cousin Braiden.

Rachel and Braiden

After the luncheon, we went back to Granny and Pawpaw’s house and worked on a family tree project, which I will share in my next blog post.

Overall, we had a great day Labor Day weekend spent with family. The weekend was a little extended for me, but I’ll go into that more in another post. So stay tuned.

Mother’s Day Weekend in Midland

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James took Friday off from work and we traveled to Midland to celebrate Mother’s Day with our Moms. Jessica did pretty well in the car. This is a beautiful time of year to drive to Midland. The wildflowers were gorgeous. The stretch between Llano and Brady was especially vibrant. There were red and yellow, orange and white, pink and purple wildflowers and even a few bluebonnets (usually this is too late for bluebonnets). Some fields were covered with only one type of wildflower, making one field look like it was dusted with snow there were so many white flowers. Other fields were covered with red and yellow wildflowers giving the impression they were on fire.

Friday night, James’ Mom hosted dinner at her house with my parents, James’ parents, James’ grandparents, James’ sister Tami and her boyfriend Randy and our nephew Dawson. It was a full household and I didn’t get any photos.

Jessica Saturday Morning Before Lunch

For lunch on Saturday, we headed to Tampico with James’ family. Afterward, we visited back at James’ parent’s house.

Jessica and her Great-Pawpaw

Jessica with Daddy and Aunt Tami

Someone’s getting sleepy.

Jessica and her Great-Granny

Olivia and Tami

James’ Mom had gotten out some of Dawson’s toys from when he was a baby and Jessica had a grand time playing with them. She especially enjoyed this little musical piano.

Jessica Playing

Dawson enjoyed playing with Jessica.

Dawson Playing with Jessica

We went over to my Mom’s house for dinner Saturday night and she got to feed Jessica her dinner of butternut squash. Jessica is really starting to like butternut squash, of which I’m really thankful.

Jessica Enjoying her Butternut Squash

Before we left Sunday morning, Jessica got to play some more.

Jessica Playing

Jessica and her Grandpa

Jessica and her Nana

Grandpa, Jessica and Nana

We stopped in San Angelo to visit with James’ Uncle Chuck. We took Jessica to the Sante Fe East Park, which is across the Concho River from the Visitor’s Center. The park has a toddler section. She enjoyed swinging, going down the slide with her Daddy, and riding a little pony.

"Driving" with Daddy after Arriving at Uncle Chuck's

Jessica and her Daddy

Jessica Riding a Pony

Jessica with her Great-Uncle Chuck and Daddy

Sunday night after we had gotten back and Jessica had played, eaten dinner and had a bath, we took some more photos.

Jessica and Daddy

Jessica and Mommy on Mother's Day

Overall, it was a lovely weekend.

Trip to Midland

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As promised, here are pictures from our trip to Midland last weekend. It was a very busy weekend.

My Dad had so much fun at the breakfast table, he ended up being the last one to change from his pajamas.

Jessica and her Papa

My sister wouldn’t want to see the other picture I snapped of her and Cameron.

Cameron and his Mama

After breakfast, we all hung out. Cameron found a giant foam hand that he immensely enjoyed. Of course, it made all the Longhorn fans happy, especially since my sister is an Aggie through and through.

Longhorn Cameron

I can’t wait until all the kiddos are old enough to play together. It will be so much fun. Growing up, I never really spent much time with my cousins. Partly, because I didn’t have many, two on my Dad’s side and three on my Mom’s side. And partly because none of them traveled and they lived a ways away from us. So I think it is great, that we all live close enough to see each other often and that we’re all willing to travel.

Cameron and Aspen Playing

After lunch on Saturday, we went over to James’ parents house and visited with them a bit.

Jessica and her Grandpa

Then we stopped by his grandparents for a little while. His grandparents will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in September. Isn’t that exciting? Yep, Jessica has her thumb in her mouth. I think it is so cute how she covers up her nose with her fingers when she does that.

Great-Granny and Jessica

We got back to my parents house right as everyone was leaving to go on a walk. We walked to the playground near the elementary school I attended. That brought back memories. We used to walk home from school. Aspen and Cameron enjoyed the swing. I didn’t bring Jessica’s coat (I didn’t realize we were walking to the playground) and so she stayed tucked under the blanket in her car seat/stroller.

Aspen Swinging

Cameron Swinging

Mom and Dad with their dogs Dixie and Daisy

I can’t wait until the kiddos become cheesers. Then Julia won’t be the only one smiling. Plus it will be so much easier to get them to all look at the camera.

Julia and Aspen

On Sunday before church, my Mom got to hold all the grandbabies for a photo shoot, similar to the one my Dad experienced at Christmas. It was so cute how Cameron had his arm around Aspen.

Cameron, Aspen, Jessica, Nanny and Trevor

Then we tried to get all four of them on the recliner, which was a tad difficult. We should have stuck with the loveseat from my Mom’s photo shoot.

Trevor, Cameron, Aspen, and Jessica

Jessica did pretty good in the car both ways. The way up would have been faster if we had realized all it took was a light on once it got dark outside to make Jessica happy.