octoberfest

Let's play catch-up, shall we?
The last weeks have been very eventful for Ben and I. So much so that I have not thought about the blog. Ben has been hustling and bustling around town meeting new friends and seeing some old ones too! We now go to swim class at Houston Swim Club every Monday morning. Ben likes the water and all the activities they have for him, until it's time to leave mommy and go under water with the instructor. I can see the good in doing this activity, but I feel like at such a young age, the main goal should be FUN. I am planning on suggesting a little adaptation from their end for next week.
We also go to The Little Gym every Wednesday morning for some tumbling, stretching, dancing, and moving. I LOVE THE LITTLE GYM!!

instructors are super great with Ben, and I love getting to know the other mommies in the class. They have a lot of equipment that helps babies learn to crawl or pull or walk (whatever stage they find themselves). I am also very excited to find out that they have a babysitting service once your kid is potty trained with gym activities, crafts, snacks, and a movie...what fun!
Two weekends ago, I traveled to Austin for a girls' weekend while Will stayed back with Ben. He did such a fantastic job. I may just plan me another trip sooner than I thought. The occasion was to celebrate two of my very best friends birthdays, Gina and Julie. We were supposed to be having a roommate weekend at our ranch the 16th-18th, but Evan picked up the swine flu and we were not comfortable with Ben being around him. So, we were going to just have the girls up to the ranch instead. Well, I got on the horn with Evan, and he suggested that we just come up to Austin for a girls' shopping extravaganza. Will had already said he would be willing to babysit, so I got really pumped by the idea. We had a fabulous dinner at a winery in Driftwood beforehand. Drank some wine, had some good conversation, and and ate a fabulous dinner at the restaurant. Will's mom was so generous and allowed us to stay at her condo downtown. The next day all the girls rendezvoused for breakfast at SOCO Cafe, one of our favorite Austin hot spots, and started a most successful day of shopping and sunshine.This weekend, we got to see Julie and Evan again! Only, they came our way to the ranch. I am afraid I am spoiling myself with all the Julie- time I have been getting lately. I fear, once it ends, I may go through withdrawals. :) I am so blessed to have these two in our life! We had an uber-relaxing Saturday. I tried my hand at some Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. They had a great flavor, but the meat was too tough in my opinion, and not exactly what I had envisioned this "perfect sandwich" to be. But, my friends ate every bite. We continued the evening with some beer, wine, and spades,in which we lost to the boys because they had been cheating the whole time. Sunday comprised of fishing, riding around, football, taco soup, beer, more football, and naps! They brought their dog, Molly, and I think seeing her happiness with the bounty of bugs to catch, land to roam, cattle to herd, and rays to bask in, made my day! Evan and Julie were also excited for her to meet Haley, Joe's black mouth cur, and the reason they decided on that particular breed. To our dismay, Haley had been trained up and shipped out to some home in South Texas. We did get to meet three of his other curs, but none were as beautiful as Molly Bear. Time with the Prothro's is always a good time, and I can't wait until we see them again. Ben was WORN OUT from all the fun. He slept the the whole way home.

Better pictures to come from TAYLORlynn Photography. Free plug.