so we went on some trips.

I'm so glad I already wrote about our San Diego trip. I couldn't find the files on our new computer of the photos I took on the trip, and I can't even remember back that far at this point!!! AHH!!!

So the past month, the whole summer infact, has been a whirlwind. I don't even remember half of the things that we've been up to.

I know we went to Houston to visit my brother, his wife Katie, and his kids, Matt, Kenzie and baby girl (coming in September/October).



I remember it being a really fun, relaxing and rainy (there was a hurricane nearby) trip. We stayed indoors and played a really fun game called Word Thief. Its like poker and scrabble, except that its not like either of those games at all. We bought fireworks and set them off in the street after a fun BBQ. Clark slept right through them and was a really good boy.
Matt and Kenzie are totally awesome kids and had fun playing with Clark.


Clark enjoyed them, the dog, Toby, their baby piano and playing in the backyard's sandbox. Clark is crazy about outside and neither the Texas sun, nor rain, thwarted his efforts. What else did we do? We went to the mall one day when it wouldn't stop raining, and when it did stop raining and get to over 110 degrees we decided to go for a little hike in the arboretum and then have a picnic. It was hot, I saw a red tailed hawk, and then Clark got attacked by fire ants. It was very eventful.

At some point we flew from Houston to New Orleans, and the flight was great because Tom took Clark on HIS flight, so I had an hour by myself on the airplane with no baby and I finished a book. It was AWESOME!

In Louisiana I'm sure we did some things. I'll remember some of them here for you.

We met up with my Aunt Cindi, and my cousins, and their kids. My cousin Courtney had a new addition since last year, Chloe, and I'm glad we got to meet her.
Here is Clark with Chloe. (great shot of Chloe, right? I know, next time I'll do a better job!)

Me and my cousin, Courtney!

Courtney's first big girl, Annazelle.

Aunt Cindi with my cousins Naomi and Marissa.

We drove out to Bunkie for a wedding. I took about 4 pictures of the whole thing because I was having too much fun to think about caputring the memories for old times sakes. Here is one of the photos I took. Its Liz Singreen, Clark and Tom outside of the Church.



The story of how we got home from the airport and how Louisiana has too much water. We really love Louisiana cause its so beautiful and relaxing. Tom was complaining because there was too much water. I said, "how can you complain about too much water??!?! you are from San Diego, the desert, with no water!!!" and he said, "remember when we flew in and your mom said we couldn't get home because the street was flooded, and we had to park the car down the street, change cars to the truck, move our luggage and take the truck through the flood waters home?" and I said, "yeah, ok, maybe we have a lot of water, but its not always flooded!" but a lot of the time, it is.

We went into New Orleans two nights. One was for Taylor's Bachelorette party. We ate at Mothers and Cafe Du Monde, then Tom and I, had to go home since Clark didn't know we were at a party and he would be waking up bright and early like always, and my mom was going to work, so we had to look after him.

The other night we had dinner with Steve and Tracy at La Madeleine on the Riverbend. Maybe if we ever move back to NOLA (which we never will), we can live in the Riverbend... or Madisionville (less flooding, not a bowl...)

The rest of our time (that I can remember) we spent relaxing on the porch, in the pool on mom and dad's deck, or eating snowballs. It was a supremly excellent trip. I could move back almost anytime (hint, hint).

I'm glad I got to see my whole Averill family this summer, it might be a while before we travel again.

Louisiana Trip

We went to Louisiana. Wee Hee! We did not bring the camera. booo. We have four pictures from our cell phones though.... ok that will work.

It was HOT in Louisiana. Dad dunked Clark to help cool him off! He LOVED the pool!

We went back for my 10 year high school reunion. It was fun, but loud and therefore hard to catch up properly. There was much shouting. I saw one of my HS best friends, Woody. He brought along his fiance, Krissy. They are getting married in October. They had an engagement crawfish boil the next day - which we went to. It was also fun. He hasn't changed a bit and that is refreshing.

Part of me wishes I still lived in Louisiana, but part of me knows that Woody lives in Arizona, and other friends live in other areas. It wouldn't be the same, Tom wouldn't have the job that he has, or really any desirable job. It is just a mild fantasy that we enjoy indulging in when we are eating snowballs, crabs, crawfish, pralines, oysters, or passing by a drive-through daiquiri shop or visiting friends and family. We would also be really fat if we lived there...

We did do a 5K with mom on the Mandeville Lakefront. I also had time to get together with my BFF, Liz. Liz and I also hung out on the lakefront and reminisced about our high school days. Overall it was really, really great. It was also an actual vacation unlike the work-cations we've been taking.

everyone but mom. she took the photo.

family self portrait.

here is me on the Bayou!