Lili and I went to Dallas

Lili has been asking me to go to Dallas to visit her beloved uncle and Godfather for about 6 years now. So, we finally went. Just the two of us. I feel like I have less and less time with my firstborn as her school commitments grow, so it was really nice to have some one-on-one time together. Even the plane ride was fun!

This is the main reason for our trip. Evangeline Elizabeth. My adorable goddaughter.

We got to see two other precious, precocious, and generally hilarious nieces as well.

We also got to see my fair cuz and her lovely Maggie.

But it was just so nice to get to hang out with my family. Looking back on our trip makes me miss my two brothers more than ever, but it was so nice to get to see a slice of their life in Dallas. Lili, needless to say, had the time of her life. Tooling around Grapevine...

...getting her first taste of video games...Star Wars Lego and the Wii...

...and of course, getting plenty of snuggle time with the sweetest little

new member of the Catholic Church. Oh Evie, I miss you so much! Especially your double chin...

Anyway, it was a great trip; long overdue. The baptism itself was beautiful, held in the chapel at UD. I hadn't been back to campus since I was 2 months pregnant with Lili, so it was a little strange. I did get to see some of my old professors and ducked into the Art building to inhale its old distinctive smell...I don't know what creates it: plaster? drying oil paint? but I love it, and it brought back a slew of happy memories of visiting my big brother as he finished some project, or working there myself into the wee hours of the morning.

Anyway, the other highlights of the trip included:

Exploring downtown Grapevine and seeing glassblowing and Guy Fieri

Watching Leah dance her way through life

Getting Fifi to repeat difficult-to-pronounce phrases like "bilateral symmetry"

Eating all of the delicious meals that were made for us

Going for a moonlit swim with my fam

It was a great trip. We'll have to do it again soon. Thank you so much Jon and Katie, Joe and Becca, and Nanny and Papa!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We did our celebrating for St. Patrick's Day a little early. Last Saturday was the Burch family's renowned block party.

Our kids get excited every year for this party...

but not as excited as this guy. I think it is his favorite day of the year, second only to the Purple

Seriously, he and Lili were pacing around our house, (fully dressed and ready to go) a good two hours before the party started.

Not that I blame him. Guinness? Gorgeous spring Phoenix weather? Serious and intense cornhole tournament? What's not to love?

My favorite is how the kids all look after a few hours of green lemonade, green snowcones, and green cupcakes; all churned together in their little stomachs by non-stop bouncing in the bounce house. They look like this:

Sorry Audrey, but you look like you've had a few too many.

I'm sure a few of the adults looked like this at the end of the night, too.


Anyway, just as the kids are crashing down off of their sugar highs and nursing various bounce-house related injuries, the awesome live music starts:

This was definitely Kateri's favorite part of the night.

Thanks for a great day, Burches! You and your neighbors sure know how to throw a party!