Happy Birthday, Pops!

We celebrated Pops's birthday in early October, but I am perpetually behind on posting. He wanted to spend the afternoon by the pool playing with all of his grandkids. We played and had so much fun celebrating Pops. The girls and the boys love their Pops! It was a great day!

I took this picture of my Mom and Dad right before we blew out the candles and I love it.

Here are some actions shots of Grandma cutting up with Charlie and Claire, allowing them to shoot her down with the water guns. Poor Grandma got soaked and the water that day was COLD!

Pops and the big kids

Pops and Chris went swimming, even though the water was freezing!

Harper and Pops

September highlights

Claire began gymnastics at Champions Academy. She loves it and is doing really well. I have to say that she is quite the natural. I have been impressed.

We made a trip with the boys to the club where they all LOVED the splash pad!

We did our first 5K as a family. I would be lying if I said we actually did the whole thing. One of my close friends from college spearheaded the event after having suffered and conquered a brain tumor herself. On our way to the event, we got very lost and were only able to complete the last mile. We had so much fun, though, and we were very proud of my friend Kelly. Mimi and LaLa joined us to form Team Nix. Cat was there is spirit. Oh, and it wouldn't be complete without Harper's Puppy. He did the race with us too. :-)

UT Football season began and we actually got away for a date night for the first game.

Claire got a scooter and Harper got a tricycle. They both do a pretty good job riding them, but the irony is that Claire wants the tricycle and Harper wants the scooter. Go figure!

We took the girls downtown to Sixth Street for Pecan Street Festival. They got their faces painted, ate snow cones, jumped in the bouncy house, etc... True to the style of both their personalities, Claire took careful care and watch over her rainbow on her face, while Harper wiped hers off within seconds of receiving it. They could not be more opposites!

We rode a princess carriage ride around all of downtown Austin. I have to give Daren big props for that because he rode with a smile on his face through downtown Austin in a tulle covered, fake flower sprinkled carriage. He was made to be a girl Daddy. He really is the best! Claire really believed she was the princess along for the ride in her very own carriage ride. Harper, on the other hand, was a challenge just to keep on the carriage at all. Hahaha! She was not super interested but Mommy and Harper had fun tickling each other and wrestling while Daddy and Claire did lots of waving to the crowd.

Angela, Rob and Lucille made a trip to Austin recently. We met them for brunch so that we could all catch up briefly. The girls loved sweet Lulu. She is a precious little girl.  We all have many blessings!

Daren loved a few hours with his sweet godddaughter.

Claire, Lucille and Harper

ACL Fest 2011

While Daren and the kids are away, LaLa and Mommy will play...

ACL Fest entrance

This is the Friday crowd at only one of the seven or eight stages... Crazy how big this venue is. There is no way to describe it to someone until they have experienced it.

Austin, TX - "The Live Music Capital of the World"

We laughed about this sign because of my nerdy needlepointing habit, so I hopped in for a picture.

I would be remiss if I didn't include my favorite Austinite in this blog posting. Those who know Austin know that it is quirky, liberal and a little weird. Okay, a lot weird but I love that about it. The unicorn tutu girl says it all...

Here's a not so cute, sweaty picture of Lashelle and I after a few beers, a few concerts and much excitement waiting on Coldplay for the second night in a row!!

This is a pretty different view than the one we had the night before, but it was amazing. The power of the crowd was phenomenal and Coldplay put on such a good show.

Those who really know me well know how much I love music, how much I try to pass the love of music on to my kids and how much I LOVE STEVIE WONDER!!!!!!!!!! It was an item on my bucket list to see Stevie Wonder live and he did not disappoint. I was so giddy. He played all my favorites and he even threw in some Michael Jackson too. He is a musical genius. It was incredible. I am not sure Lashelle knew what she was getting herself into when she agreed to come to Stevie Wonder with me, but she was a great sport. I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!!! It was a weekend I will never forget and I am so thankful to have spent it with someone so special and so much fun.

Chris Martin up close and personal

Lashelle won tickets to the New Year's Eve live taping of Coldplay at our very own Austin City Limits Moody Theater. Lashelle was generous and kind enough to invite me, and oh my, she had NO IDEA how excited I was about this night. I am a huge Coldplay fan. I know just about every song- new or old, popular or not. My girls know and love many songs they sing. Anyways, Lashelle brought two friends in town and we had a fun girls' night out in store for us. I can't thank Lashelle enough. It was a wonderful night. I was in heaven! Lashelle has no idea but that night truly goes in my own personal life history book as one of my favorite experiences. It was amazing! No concert will ever be the same...

This is right in front of the theater before we are headed in. I am not sure Lashelle realized she was petting Lyle Lovett, but it was a good choice. :-)

Getting our last drink in before the big Chris Martin entrance...

We actually got floor seats which meant we were within 10-15 feet of Coldplay. This picture is when he is singing "Yellow." There is nothing like a man, a microphone and an instrument...

The last two shots are the only other ones I got that night before I almost got my camera confiscated. Oops, I guess you aren't supposed to take pictures!? Sorry Chris... I didn't mean to be that fan, but I am happy that I was because now I forever have these beautiful photos of you.

Pump It Up

Harper's birthday party was at Pump It Up. What would a birthday be with bouncy house and slide fun!

Here is a group shot of all the friends...

LaLa, Harper and D

Pops, Harper and Mommy

Claire having big fun

Mommy and Harper sliding

Daddy and Harper driving

Harper drove with her sweet friend Maddie.

Harper on her birthday throne with one of her best friends, Alexandria

The family and the birthday throne

Mimi and Harper

Miss Harper Ann turns 2

Harper Ann Nix was brought into this world at 10:13 a.m. on September 10, 2009. She came hard and fast. Harper was pretty much whisked out of our arms straight to the NICU due to transitional fluid/stomach issues. Harper fought like a champ, nursed like a champ, slept like a champ and snuggled like a champ. Point of retelling her birth story is to communicate what a sweet, strong, independent girl Miss Harper Ann is and has been since she entered the world. She has a voice and she uses it. She is funny and loves to make others laugh. She is sensitive and kind. If you look upset or say ouch in front of sweet Harper, rest assured she is at your side asking "What's wrong? Got a boo boo? Need Harper kiss?" She rolls with the punches like no other baby I have ever been around. Claire is also pretty amazing in this way too, but Miss Harper takes the cake. We can travel, be out late, get up early, take long plane flights, take long car rides, run thousands of errands, play outside for hours and little Miss Harper is STILL smiling. Harper can also be stubborn (wonder where she gets that from?) and rough. Like I said, she has an opinion and she wants it heard. Harper is a sleeper. She takes after her Daddy in this way. We can put her down for the night at 7 on a Friday night and she will often sleep until 10 or 11 the next day. Harper is nurturing and loves to play babies. She has named all of her babies - Emma, Issy, Sally, Charlotte, Coco baby and Mickey. She follows her big sister around and they love to play hide and seek together. She calls Claire "Issy." Harper is a joy. She lights up the world around her. It is a true treat to be her Mommy.

This is one of my favorite newborn pictures of Harper. She is only 4 days old and snuggled up on my shoulder. She is bright-eyed and curious in the picture and has remained that way ever since.

 This is Harper on her first birthday. She is bald and beautiful!

And, this is Harper celebrating her 2nd birthday with all her friends at Pump It Up.

Future Delta?

It was Rush Week at the University of Texas. Claire and I headed to the Tri Delt house to watch Skit Night. I was excited for Claire to come with me to the Tri Delt house where I have so many fond memories and made so many dear friends. I am pretty sure she didn't quite understand the whole sorority concept, but she LOVED the show. We had a fun night together! I didn't think Harper would sit through the show, but as soon as she can, she can join us too!