30 Years.

In March, my parents ceelbrated their 30th wedding anniversary! We were so excited that we were able to be there wtih them for the celebration! My mom asked for family pictures and we were more than happy to comply. We also had a little family gathering for them. 

I'm so thankful for these two and their commitment to each other. 

All the doodles. 

 

40th Par-Tea

My sister in law and I both turned 40 this July, and my mom wanted to celebrate. When we turned 30 we went on a birthday cruise, which was fabulous and we said that we would do it again when we turned 40. But, with work and health, and all of the other things that get in the way, we just weren't able to make that happened. So, my mom decided to throw us a surprise tea party. Except, it wasn't a surprise for me. Ha! She had to tell me so she could convince me to make the drive home to Arkansas. We told my sister in law that I was coming up to drop off two of the girls for their annual "Camp Gee" and that we would go shopping Saturday to celebrate our birthdays. When she walked in the house, she was surprised with a tea party with so many of our close friends and ladies that have impacted both of our lives. 

My mom did a fabulous job setting everything up. She use to collect tea sets and has a great collection and was able to decorate 3 different tables. This one in her kitchen had blue tea cups and flowers. 

The kids table had a smaller tea set with a few flowers. 

Her dining room table had more tea sets, hat boxes, rose bowls, and flowers. It was gorgeous.

She picked up a strawberry cake for my sister in law. 

And a chocolate cake for me. 

We were "kissing our 30s goodbye" and all of our guests were able to take home hershey kisses. 

Another table view, along with the balloon garland. 

She served chicken salad, fruit, scones, chips, cucumber sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, and pinwheels. 

She also made the most delicious punch. 

We were all there waiting on my sister in law to arrive so we could "go shopping."

My mom had crowns and made sashes for us to wear. 

I was so thankful that my mother in law could make the drive down to join us. 

We had the best time eating and chatting. 

Big thanks to my mom for throwing a 40th birthday bash! It was so much fun and worth the drive home. 

 

Family Fun w/ Get Out Pass

When Get Out Pass, asked me if I wanted to partner with them, I literally jumped at the chance! As a family of 5, we love being able to get out and go on adventures. Whether they're close to home, or further away, we knew that we would use Get Out Pass often! 

They're not only in the Austin/San Antonio, area, but they've partnered with businesses all over the country to give your family the best time! 

You'll want to go here, and use the code "ITSELAINEWELTE" to save on your passes, and purchase 1 pass for every member of your family. So, if you're a 5 person family, you'll need 5 passes. The code will work and will help you save money on every pass you purchase. 

Okay, let's look at a few of the activities available in the Austin/San Antonio area.

The Get Out Pass will give you access to The Jungle Movement Academy. The girls are going to love this activity, and it's perfect for a rainy spring day. 

For the lego loving kids, head to Bricks & Minifigs for lego fun! 

You have access to the Austin Aquarium, and the one in San Antonio! 

Mt Playmore is one of the girls favorite places! I'll be able to take them in for free- yes, please! 

I have been wanting to explore the Wonder World Cave, and now we have access to it! Definitely taking a road trip down to San Marcos for this adventure! 

Okay, let's talk pricing! 

For one pass, you'll pay $69.95. I've seen a lot of coupon codes offered, so currently, the Get Out Pass is discounted to $34.98 each.

But, if you use my code "ITSELAINEWELTE"  you'll only pay $31.48 for each pass! 

You can purchase the Get Out Pass for your area:

 San Antonio/Austin

Dallas

Arkansas

Houston

Idaho

Indianapolis

Louisville

Maryland/DC

Nebraska

North Carolina

Ohio

 Oklahoma

Oregon

Sacramento

Tennessee

Utah

Washington 

 

The Last of 2021

The day after Christmas, we packed up and headed to Arkansas. It was the first time in 4 years that we haven't been bowl eligible and we were  able to go home for Christmas. We drove to my mom's house, and spent the night, and on Monday, we got up and drove to Jonesboro to see DJ's mom, sister, and her kids. 

We went bowling and the kids had a blast. 

The next day, we went to brunch, and headed to the campus store to pick up an ASU flag for our camper. 

We spent the afternoon at the theater watching Sing 2. 

The next day, we gave big hugs to Nana and we drove to visit DJ's dad and stepmom. 

Silly girls. 

Pops and Grandma Dee spoiled us all. They had sent us presents to our house for Christmas, and then when we got there we had stockings and a few more presents. 

We exchanged gifts, played way too much pinball, and enjoyed being together. I literally spent the week just enjoying the time and have hardly any pictures to show for it, but gosh, it was wonderful. 

On New Years Eve day, DJ's sister brought over her kids (they were ringing in the New Year with the grandparents) and we were excited to see them again before we left. One big family picture, and then we drove back to my mom's house. 

We made a huge charcuterie board for New Years Eve dinner, played lots of games, and stayed up until midnight. I think we were all surprised we made it that late! 

Sister-cousins ready to ring in the New Year. 

All the girls.. 

ready to toast... 

On Sunday, we went to my sisters to visit my her and my niece's little girl, who is almost 1. The girls ate her up, and she wasn't too sure what to think! Ha!

It was wonderful to get away. We loved seeing everyone and celebrating the season with family. 

 

Weekend With The Kitties

Adalyn now has a pet cat. Kind of  

When we visited my mom’s mid-May, their cat had just had kittens a few weeks before and Adalyn fell head over heals in love. She immediately picked one out and named it “Happy” and begged to bring Happy home. 

DJ is nothing a cat person. At all. Just ask his mom and his sister. 

Cats are not welcome at our house. 

So, Adalyn spent every minute she could with Happy. 

When she wasn’t with Happy, she was playing. This summer, we have a huge, 6 family camping trip planned and one evening, we got together to go over trip finalities. These girls (and Megan) are going to have so much fun! 

The next morning, Adalyn put Happy in the stroller, covered her up, gave her a bottle, and pushed Happy around all over the house. 

Adalyn loves guacamole about as much as she loves kittens. 

She gave Happy lots of cuddles before we left!

Happy is currently staying at Gee and PaPaw’s house but according to Gee, she’s started hitch-hiking and is trying to make her way to Texas. Twice, Gee has gone to town to run errands and has heard a “meow” coming from her car.  

Somehow Happy has used up 2 of her 9 lives because she has ridden under the undercarriage of Gee’s car!

Thankfully, she’s been safe each time, but We just know Happy is trying to get to our house. 

Adalyn would be thrilled if that happened. DJ, not so much!