Tuesday, June 15, 2010

H-Town Time

While Nick was in the US we spent a wonderful week in Houston. It was jammed packed with great family time, plunging in the pool and squeezing in time with a few friends.

Tatty meeting Georgia

Mama with her baby boy and his baby girl.

We spent most of our time in the pool...or "by" the pool for Georgia.

Memorial Day with the Krause Klan! This is just a few of the crowd.

Boppa hanging with great grand baby #4. Oh how thankful we are for Boppa's life and God's miracle in the last 6 months. What a legacy Boppa and Nana have created with and through their special family.

Bear lovin' the water.

Nana and Georgia

Brooks the fish.

Georgia discovered her smile on May 30th and hasn't stopped since.

Brooks' puzzle masterpiece.

Lunch at the Michaelis's


Aunt Monica meeting Georgia (Texas-trash Style - sporting just the diaper)

Dinner with a few of our best friends and their families at Clays...awesome restaurant for kids.

Derek, Jeff, Nick, Paul and Josh


Tracy, Wendi, Katie, Shannon

Mrs Katie and Brooks

The Bees best Houston buddies!
KK, Lissy, Barrett, Asher, John David, Brooks, Harper, Tanner

What a treat for all these cousins to be together.
Amanda and Annabelle flew into Houston for a long weekend.

Having lots of fun with Aunt Amanda

Just can't help be by the pool and not get in, even if you don't have your swimsuit on :)

Thursday we spent the day at the Houston Zoo!



Special dinosaur exhibit was in town...boys, not so thrilled. More like terrified.

Justin and Shannon joined us for the heat and fun.


Brooks looking at baby elephant "Baylor".

Cousins

More pool time :) What would we do without it.


There aren't many grand mommies who are this fun in the pool!

We celebrated on Saturday with a family graduation party for Jessie, who is headed to A&M College Station in the fall. Its difficult for these Bears to support such a decision and buy anything maroon but we gave her A&M Qatar shirt for fun. Congrats Jess!!

Baby G's first dip.

Wouldn't be a summer party without watermelon.

Wouldn't be a graduation party without cupcakes!

We had such a great week in Houston and enjoyed every minute. Nick and I both agreed that Houston felt less like "home" this visit, which is strange but probably a good thing. Doha is home for us now and I'm glad it feels that way. A lot has changed since we've moved away. Its hard to be gone for such long periods of time and miss so many life changes with our family and friends but thank the Lord for strong relationships. Although Houston feels different its comforting to know we can pick up where we left off with the people we miss so much. Thank you Tatty for having a house full all week plus cooking and cleaning up after all of us. What great memories we made to take back to Doha with us.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Louisa and Will's Wedding

The sole reason for an early summer arrival to Texas this year was not to miss my cousin Louisa's wedding. We were honored she and Will asked Brooks to be the ring bearer. The entire weekend was incredible. Every detail was thought out so the rehearsal dinner and wedding were very personal. Both Will and Louisa grew up in Dallas so they wanted a Texas touch on the wedding. Needless to say is was one classy Texas affair. Not to mention an absolute blast.

Georgia and Daddy watching the rehearsal

Brooks in position


Cousin Julie and her youngest, Ashley

Cousin Chafen (expecting baby boy Hart in July) and Georgia plus Julie and Abby who was one of the two flower girls.

The rehearsal was at the Dallas Aquarium - AMAZING and entertainment for all. Will's parents planned such a fun night. The kids had their very own menu and got a private tour of the aquarium.

Wilson/Watkins Cousins - Julie, Ash, Celia with baby Eli, Wendi

It was such a treat to have 10 of my 11 cousins together with all their families. We missed Mark and Karen and their boys. We came from all different directions (Dallas, Boston, Pennsylvania, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Malawi - AFRICA, and Doha). 4 original Watkins siblings, 10 kids, 13 grandkids and 2 more on the way.


Cousins minus Georgia


Brooks made the photographer show ID to prove he was a "Brooks" too.
Sure enough it said B-R-O-O-K-S.

Will gave Brooks an awesome gift all the way from the Smithsonian for participating in the wedding...

a real telescope...

After dinner there were crepe stations for dessert...hello-yummo!

On our way out after a fantastic night at the aquarium. Thanks to Will's parents!

Bridal Luncheon at Neiman's Zodiac Room

Getting the little Mister all dressed up for the big event!

Mama and the Ring Bearer

Brooks hanging out in the Groom's room with all the guys.

Brooks did such a great job. He walked in just behind Will and with all the groomsmen. Then stood very still to watch the bridesmaids and beautiful Louisa make their entrance. He and the flower girls sat with us during the wedding but walked out just after the Bride and Groom.
Louisa's mom, my Aunt Margaret made the flower girl dresses, bridesmaid's shrugs, Brooks' Bible cover and the pew markers. They were gorgeous!! She's just a tiny bit talented!

Anna Lou lovin' on Georgia

Uncle Dave and the boys

Junod Crew

Hall Bunch

Watkins Team

More cousin lovin'!

Uncle/Doctor Jimmy aka Father of the BRIDE with Brooks!

Brooks opened a little present for his stellar performance.

After the wedding we headed to the Dallas Arboretum for the reception! Nothing was missing...chips and salsa, fajitas, bbq, mac and cheese, sangria, margaritas, a photo booth, an artist painting a live picture of the reception, best band EVER heard, bubbles and cookies for the kids and of course incredible cakes!


Louisa and Will took dance lessons and had a choreographed dance for their first dance.


Dancin'

Rockin' the babies