We buy the cheap shaving cream for Cole to play with in his bath tub. He will use to write letters on the wall, or smother his super heroes with. Tonight he yelled for us to come look at him. He turned himself into a super hero. It was hysterical! HE had all of the superhero poses he was doing and a howl! He has the best imagination!
When we were in Texas I could not believe how much my cousins little boy was talking. His almost sounded like a yodel and it was so sweet to listen too! We were all trying so hard to get Emmy to start, but her mouth would open and nothing would come out! Well, finally yesterday she found her voice! It is the sweetest thing! She just talks and smiles and now will even laugh! This is when it really gets fun! So officially at 10 weeks, she has a voice!
On our final day in Texas, which was St. Patricks Day, we took Dan to Bootsburger! As I stated in an earlier blog, this place has the best burgers! It is so funny how its this little shack in the middle of an old neighborhood and has been there since I was born! We always got burgers there as a child! We dressed up in our green and headed for a burger! Dan said it lived up to his expectation!
We unfortunately had to leave a day early because Dans cousin Ellen passed away Tuesday evening. We needed to get back to be with his family, so after our burger we let the kids play for a while when we packed the truck, then headed back!
The kids did amazing on the way home as well!
We had such a wonderful time as always. It always means so much to go back "home" and remember so much of who I am. It always stings a little now that my dad and grandparents are no longer there, but makes me so happy that I can still see my cousins and uncle and aunt, as well as my friends!
On Tuesday we headed to Ft. Worth to the stockyards. We had a really nice lunch and walked around the town. The kids loved seeing the horses and cowboys! All 3 kids rode a mechanical bull. Erika went first, then Cole and Mika. Cole asked the man nicely not to throw him off! He was too cute with one arm in the air....waving at Dan! ha! Then they have a cattle drive that comes down main street. They had three cowboys on horses that walk with the longhorns down the street. The kids enjoyed it! It was a really fun day!
After leaving Mt. Pleasant, we spent 4 days in Forney. THis just about 30 minutes from where I grew up. We always stay with Monica. (we met in 2nd grade!) We have remained friends since I moved away in high school. Our husbands have become close friends and now our kids too! We love getting to spend time with them! Lindsay (another friend from elementary school) also comes over and this time had a sleep over with us too! Cole enjoyed playing with her 4 year old son Garrett. I also went to visit an old friend and her 3 kids. It was so great to catch up! As always, we had a blast sitting around the fire pit talking, taking stupid pictures that has become our yearly tradition and just being girls! The kids run around crazy and since they live on about and acre or so, Cole gets to just be a boy! This trip we spend one beautiful day at a park, nights by the fire pit, a day in Ft. Worth at the stockyards and topped it off by enjoying a Bootsburger! This little burger shack in the middle of a neighbor hood in my home town of Rockwall has been there since I was little. I have always raved to Dan about how good they are, so on our last day we finally let him experience one! Just like I remembered! Being in Texas always lets me remember what a wonderful childhood I had both in Mt. Pleasant with family and in Forney/Rockwall with friends....who are also just like family. I feel so truly blessed to "just be me" and enjoy them both!
We took Emmy on her first trip to Texas! Both kids did amazing! We only stopped one going to Texas and coming home on a 10hr car ride. The first stop was in Mt. Pleasant Texas where my mom is from. I had not been back there since my grandparents passed away when I was in college. My uncle and aunt live on the land now and redid the house and it is beautiful! Nothing like being in the country and enjoying the land. I loved that Cole got to just be a kid with no inhibitions about running out in the street. He watched virtually no tv and played outside the whole time! He and Dan rode four wheelers, fished, we took walks, played with the dogs and enjoyed being with family! IT was soooo good to be with my cousins again and my aunt and uncle! My cousin Robyn had a little boy about 2 weeks before me, so the newest cousins finally got to meet! They were precious! We were so thankful for the time with family! We cannot wait to go back!
THe day before we left for Texas it was a BEAUTIFUL day. I really needed to pack, but it was to gorgeous to stay inside, so Cole, Emmy and I went to the butterfly house and Faust park. I should have saved myself the aggravation and stayed home! Cole apparently became scared of butterflies at some point. As soon as we got inside and the butterflies started swarming him he freaked out! I mean, freaked out! Screaming, crying, slobbering arms flailing! I was so embarrassed, and completely frustrated! Of course, I wasnt going to leave without taking a few photos first! I really wish I would've gotten a picture of his melt down! Emmy liked it! After that we went and played at the park and Cole had a great time. I felt bad for being so upset with him considering some of my irrational fears!
On Saturday we got to celebrate Isaaks 5th bday! Cole was so excited! He had it an indoor soccer place that did 30 min if full field soccer. Basically the kids ran crazy kicking soccer balls, racing and tiring out! Then they went upstairs for 30 min to some jump houses! The kids had a blast and were totally worn out! I can't believe Isaak is 5 already. Seems like yesterday we were sitting beside him at Childrens hospital praying he would be ok so he could meet his best friend just 8 weeks later. Then dragging that oxygen tank around everywhere we all went, vacations included! What a recovery! He has an extra special place in our hearts...especially Coles!
On Friday it was my first day on vacation, so we of course had to hit the ground running! It was about 55 degrees and sunny. Perfect weather for the zoo! We always make jokes when we have "Bertino Family Fun Days" because sometimes they are a total bust, and others are awesome! This one turned out great! The kids were happy and cooperative....and Dan too! lol! Dan hates crowds, and sometimes my ideas! =) Emmy slept the ENTIRE time, and Cole didnt whine about walking too far. This was his first long distance walking without his umbrella stroller. (yes he's 4, but it was always easier!) All was great! We had good laughs and a great time! Can you believe I didnt even stick emmy in any peculiar places for a photo op.
