Friday:

We finally got haircuts!  I needed one SO so badly.  I'll be honest.  I was battling this really bad dry spot on the back of my head and just could not get it to go away.  I told my hairdresser and she said she didn't care, and gave me a few tips to get rid of it, but I just didn't want anyone to see it.  I finally was able to get it to go away with Tgel and coconut oil so cue...hair cuts for all!  I got 8-9 inches cut off.  Georgia got A LOT cut off as well and Milam got a trim.  Post baby my hair grows in oddly wavy.  So I had straight hair, wavy hair, and straw like dead ends.  Ick.  Now I have all of that besides the straw like ends.  Ugh, it will take awhile for it to get all back to normal.

Saturday:

I took the cutest newborn pictures on saturday morning.  This rain here is killing my photo business.  Luckily newborn shoots can't be rained out.  I came home, we ran errands, and got ready for friends to come over for dinner.  I was busy all day but it was so nice to be working again and then to end the day with friends.  And I took no pictures that day that I wasn't paid to take.  Sorry.

Sunday:
We drove to Waco for just the day (2.5 hour drive for us) to see our nephew get baptized.  Our brother in law is a pastor in Waco.  We got into town a little early so we were killing time taking pictures in front of some of their newer murals.  It was colder than I thought and raining just slightly and I heard someone yelling my name.  It was my mom's sweet friend Dana.  They finished college together when I was four and worked in Forney together for like 10 years.  They were best friends and I know it was so hard for my mom (and me) to leave Rockwall because of her.  Her and her family were so sweet to my mom and I after my parents divorced.  She doesn't live in Waco so it was totally random that she was there the same time I was.  I was running in heels holding Milam (I hadn't seen her since 2013 I don't think!) and she was driving towards me with her head out the window screaming (she wasn't driving...she was a passenger!)  Y'all.  I can't even tell you what an amazing blessing it was to see her that day.  I love it when God sends you little nudges like that.

The mural pictures weren't even that exciting after seeing Dana.  She said she was telling her friends how cute those murals would be for family pictures and then said, "hey! that's Emily!"  Highlight of the trip for sure.  Also, while we were there our old music minister in Conroe is the interim music pastor at our brother in laws church so we saw him and a kid in the orchestra at the church in Waco grew up in Conroe and his mom teaches sunday school with Jonathan.  We had all sorts of reunions in Waco that day.  Seriously.  Best day ever.

One of my most popular blog posts is all about the murals in Waco.  I even have links to their exact locations.  We visit Waco often because I graduated from Baylor and Jonathan's sister and her family live in Waco so I update the post a lot.  I'm always adding to it so go ahead and bookmark it and go back to it when you take your next Texas road trip.  The link is HERE!  There is a pinable there if you do that sort of thing.

Monday:
Georgia didn't have to go to school on President's Day but Jonathan did.  Bummer.  He was actually at work before 6 am for early parent meetings.  That guy is amazing.

He got home way earlier than normal, brought us presents, cooked dinner and cleaned the kitchen, packed us a picnic, drove us to the park, and took us out for dessert.  Gah...I love him!

We had such a great long weekend! What about you guys?!

Summer Trip One - Waco - 2017

I really wanted to plan a fun quick trip for when Georgia got out of school.  She got out Thursday on a half day but Jonathan still had to work on Friday and I had a photo shoot a few towns over.  So, on Friday J worked and I took the kids to his parents before my shoot, which was in the same town.  As soon as Jonathan got home (he took off just a few hours early) we were off to Waco to go visit Jonathan's sister.  Her husband is a senior pastor at a local baptist church there.

We met them at Ninfa's because duh.  There are several Ninfa's in Houston and I swear they are not even worth going to.  The one in Waco...just the best!  Then, we headed back to their house and settled in for the night.

Just the girl cousins.

The next day we went to Tonkawa Falls in Crawford, Texas.  That was only about twenty minutes away and truly a hidden little gem.  It was an overcast day and we were one of two groups there.  By the time we left there were about four groups but it was never crowded.  I've been wanting to go there for years and so glad we finally were able to go.  Georgia jumped off of several ledges and a water fall!  I made her wear her floaties and she was so mad about it because she can swim.  BUT she was jumping off of water falls into non clear ice cold water.  Even the first hour or so, every time she would jump in the water, the temperature would take her breath away so yes, this paranoid mom made her wear floaties.

Milam LOVED the water and his little raft.  The temp didn't seem to bother him.  Eventually he took an hour nap on my chest and I enjoyed every second.  

Cousin pictures that the two sleepy heads up top couldn't make it for.

On our way home we stopped by Viteck's, again because DUH.  It was delicious.  We had pulled pork nachos and we downed those super fast!

After we had all rested and Milam took another hour nap on Jonathan's chest we grilled for dinner and headed to Heritage Creamery for dessert.  It was all that I had hoped it would be.

On Sunday, our little family went to our fav, Cafe Cappuccino, for breakfast and then headed home.

Waco Trip 2016

Jonathan booked at trip to Waco for Georgia and I as a surprise for my birthday back in October.  We left early in the morning because I told Georgia, "we can leave as soon as you get up in the morning" so...up before the sun it was.

 We started the trip off with some Montgomery Bake House treats.  Super healthy. A lot of these pictures are from Insta Stories (hence the words and rainbow filter-my fav) and you can follow along at MrsEmilyPowell

 We first stopped at Jonathan's sister's house.  She lives in Waco and has 3 boys (and one girl now).  After that we went to Magnolia.  Don't get me wrong.  I love Magnolia but it was so so crowded.  It was a holiday week so I think that is what made it so bad.  Georgia was miserable.  We need to go back on a non holiday time so she can play.  We could hardly walk inside or outside.

 Then we headed to The Findery and snagged some Pokey O's.  Also went to Spice (a local fav!) and Roots.  My favorite store was actually Harp.  Really great stuff and no crowd.

 After that we needed some of our favorite Mexican food.  We love Ninfas.  NOT the Ninfas in Houston ONLY the one in Waco.  We even sat on the same side of the booth.  SO funny.

 Next up, the new candy store Hey Sugar!  It did not disappoint and checked out with a ton of goodies.

 The parking lot there has the best art wall.  Lots of it was blocked by cars but G found a few areas she liked.

Saw a few more random murals...

 We went by Cameron park and G played on the playground and explored by the river.  Schooled some kids on the monkey bars.

 A few of the other stores we went to (Junque in the Trunk) were closed but we stopped by to see their sign) We also love all the other antique stores on LaSalle.

 For dinner we wanted to go to Baris but it was closed so we went to Poppa Rollo's instead.  They dropped our first meal so we got it all for free.  Winning.

 That night she swam in the hotel and then we were off to bed.

The next day we went to Cafe Cappuccino for breakfast.  By this time it was starting to rain.

 I gave Georgia her own money and we hit up our favorite random store. Drug Emporium, next to hobby lobby.  It has the most random stuff and really cheap Beanie Boos.  Georgia bought three with her cash and we were on our way to campus.

 We bought some collegiate gear and headed back home.

 I did manage to snag a candle and mag for once we got home.

We had a really great time!  Thanks for the trip, Jonathan.