Fun Weekend!

It was a miserably hot weekend in Dallas. The temperature has been in the 100's and the humidity is horrible. Even with the heat, we had a great weekend.

Friday night we took Caleb to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Matt's. He was a happy boy (some would say a real Chick Magnet)!

Jessica (lil sis) and her boyfriend Matt were in Temple this weekend. Braden and I got to watch after their baby, Lola.

Saturday we went to a Sunday School Lake Party. Caleb was a great baby the whole day. I think the heat started to make him tired.

And later he fell asleep on my chest.

Sunday after church we went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory. Isn't Caleb such a big boy sitting up in my lap?

Recent Pictures

Here are some more pictures of my favorite people. I just can't get enough of these boys.

Grandma bought Caleb this preppy little outfit

My handsome boys in their polos and plaid shorts

Like Father; Like Son

Yum Yum
Caleb loves his hands in his mouth

Unhappy Baby

All Smiles

Caleb is very hot natured (like his Mom & Dad)

I call him my Little Hot Pocket

Here he needed to cool off under the fan

Caleb couldn't stand the Texas heat anymore so he had to undress

My sweet doggy, Lexi

After a long weekend Lola (sister Jes's dog) and Lexi are worn out

Happy 5 Year Anniversary

As of June 7th I have officially been working for Neiman Marcus for 5 years. The day came and went without even thinking about the fact that it was my 5 year anniversary. Then yesterday during a division meeting, my boss presented me with a wonderful 5 Year Anniversary gift that the company gives out. It was quite an honor.

The 5 Year Anniversary Gift is an Orrefors Crystal bowl with the inscription

"Neiman Marcus 5 Years"

Caleb's 1st Fourth of July

I hope everyone had a very Happy 4th of July.
It was a great weekend for the Howell Household. We journeyed down to Pearland to see my family and to celebrate Caleb's 1st Fourth of July. My parents host an annual 4th of July party every year so it was a nice long weekend full of swimming, sun, strawberry daiquiris, and partying. I think Caleb really enjoyed the pool but couldn't quite make it to the fireworks display.

Enjoy our pictures of the fun weekend in Pearland.

Caleb's 1st Bathing Suit & Hat

(a gift from our friend Brittany) Mommy & Caleb swimming
Daddy & Caleb swimming

Family Picture in the Pool

(notice Lexi is included)

Happy 4th of July

(outfit #1)

Mommy & Caleb celebrating the 4th

(outfit #2)

Daddy & Caleb

Aunt Jennifer, Mommy, Caleb, Grandma

Caleb was worn out before the party ended

(sleeping on Aunt Jennifer's shoulder)

New Friends
Matthew & Caleb

(outfit #3)

Aunt Jessica making Caleb laugh

Daddy & Caleb laughing at each other

Caleb and Friends playing before bedtime

Grandpa at the grill

Lexi was one tired dog by the end of the day. She found a quite spot away from everyone and fell asleep.

Daddy was also tired by the end of the weekend

Our First Weekend After Going Back to Work

Last week was my first week back at work. The hardest part about going back to work has been missing time with Caleb. I am used to spending all day with him and now I only get to see him a little bit in the morning and then a couple hours before bed. Therefore, we were determined to have a good weekend and spend as much time together as possible.

It was a good weekend in the Howell household. Friday night we went to the mall then dinner at Mi Cocina. Caleb behaved and was such a good baby while Braden and I got to enjoy our dinner. Saturday Caleb was 3 months old so we celebrated with a day of family fun. Caleb was a perfect angel all day long. He was awake and happy for the majority of the day with lots of smiles and laughs. We pray for more days like Saturday with our little man. Sunday we went to church, lunch, then ran a few errands before spending the rest of the day playing at home while Braden worked in the backyard. Sunday night Aunt Jessica and Matt came over to grill out for dinner. We always love having them over to visit.

Our weekends are precious to us and we will treasure them.


Here are some recent pictures of our little man, Caleb .....

Our first child, Lexi, in a dog bed WAY too big for her.

See is SO cute

Caleb's first night to sleep all the way through the night (8:30pm - 6:30am)

WAY TO GO LITTLE GUY!

Caleb's Converse Shoes


A couple weekends ago we took a trip to Ft. Worth to see what has been going on at TCU since we graduated. It is amazing what they have done to the campus.


Our friend, Jordan, came over to see Caleb

Jordan, and his girlfriend Fiona, bought Caleb this adorable onesie from Harrod's in London.

Thank you!

I love this picture because Caleb is so alert and aware of his surroundings.

Mommy & Caleb

Grandpa B & Caleb

Grandpa B & Caleb playing and smiling

Caleb always falls asleep when he is in the car. Here are some cute sleeping pictures from his carseat.

Day 2 Back at Work

It is hard to put into words how hard it is to leave your child when you go back to work after 12 weeks of maternity leave.
Yesterday was not so bad. Braden and I loaded up all of Caleb's stuff and drove him to his Day School. We took our time dropping him off and saying goodbye. When we left he was swinging and happy as could be. I took my lunch break off to visit him yesterday and he was being so good just bouncing in a little bouncy chair. When I picked Caleb up yesterday he had a good report card with a "Great 1st Day" comment. I was a proud mommy.
But today was worse than yesterday. I could not give Caleb enough kisses and hugs. I wanted to stay and play with him all day long. But, that can't happen and now I am at work and missing him like crazy. I know that this transition is harder on me than it is on him. So, please pray for my strength to go to work every day and work hard so that I can go and pick up my sweet baby boy each evening.

I will post more pictures soon.

Good News & Sad News

Good News First .... Braden is part of the Rotary Club of Dallas. Through the Rotary Club, Braden is a mentor to a local high school student, Gus. This past weekend Gus graduated from high school. Braden, Caleb, and I were there to see him accept his diploma.

Mom & Caleb at high school graduation

Gus & Braden

Way To Go GUS, we are so proud of you!

On a sad note ... this past Friday night a close friend of mine, Sasha, was burned in a backyard cookout. She is currently in the Burn Unit ICU and will be there for another couple weeks. She will have a long road to recovery but she has a large group of friends and family by her side. Please put Sasha, her husband Jeff, and their families in your thoughts and prayers. They need our prayers now more than ever.

Jeff & Sasha