5.04.2014

A year in review: Traveling with baby

Traveling is a passion of ours. We have been fortunate enough to take off to some pretty great destinations this year! Here is a look back at our year!

Eli's 1st vacation was a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana.

We toured the city in a horse drawn carriage! 

We also took this steam boat around the city, which was Eli's first boat ride! 
Delicious Beignets at Cafe du Monde


We stayed in a cute boutique hotel named Bienville in the French Quarter which is the sister hotel to the famous Hotel Monteleone {we wanted to stay a little ways off Bourbon Street as we had a teeny baby with us}.We had the most incredible seafood dinner at Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House Seafood, toured the city, enjoyed the culture and tried to keep as cool as possible!

After New Orleans, we went directly to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for a Wedding.

Cuddling Auntie Meggie!

The Stack boys! 

Cousin Macie and Eli getting ready for the wedding! 
Our first wedding as a family of 3! 
We stayed a hotel near the wedding venue and had some more beignets at Coffee Call Cafe! Overall, it was a fun trip!

Not even a few weeks later we headed to South Carolina for a little beach get away!
Baby boys 1st plane ride! 
He didn't make a peep!
Seaside, South Carolina 






The boys and a baby SHARK 
Pop loves his g-baby 




His 3 month birthday! 
On this vacation we also went to Charleston, South Carolina. We ate at the notorious Southend Brewery and Smokehouse and toured the gorgeous city! 

We LOVE sailing!  
Panoramic View of the antebellum mansions. These are the most beautiful homes ever! 
White Point Gardens at Battery Park 



Only a few weeks after our fun trip to South Carolina we headed out for a BIG road trip!
First stop, Palo Duro Canyon: 
I cannot believe Mitch and I went to Texas Tech and never made time to explore Palo Duro 
God's artwork is crazy good



After touring the canyon we went to the World Famous Big Texan resturant!  
Next stop, Santa Fe, New Mexico




We loved shopping on the square

Our favorite eats were Cafe Pasqual's, Coyote Cafe, Blue Corn Cafe, Rooftop Pizzeria and so many more. 
We love the La Fonda Hotel. 

Next we took a day trip to Pagosa Springs, since my brother high recommended going

I'm not going to lie, I almost had a panic attack when they put Eli in the water! I went to the bathroom, came back and my sweet little 4 month old was just swimming away in the natural hot springs! The water reeks of sulfur! 
Next stop is probably one of my all time favorite destinations, Durango, Colorado: 
The train that runs from Durango to Silverton
The most beautiful, laid back town

Dad and Mitch spent the day white water rafting 





This was one of those moments in life you stop and pray "God, let me remember this forever." The feeling of being with family. The taste, the smells, the beauty. It was a really good moment in our lives! 


After our fun road trip we headed out west to our hometown of Midland, Texas: 
Eli with his cousin Lily Grace

A fun playmate with some old friends of mine! 

Nothing more beautiful! We love Nana! 

Eli with his cousin Henry! 


Eli got to attend his cousin Macie's birthday party! 

Some of my best friends at a backyard BBQ! 

Not long after Midland Eli & I headed out to Austin and San Antonio to visit my family: 
My brother Ryan's girlfriend Ashley

2 of my favorite guys! 

Isn' their stoop so beautiful 

San Antonio: 
E and I visited my mom in Alamo Heights 

We were so tired at this point lol 



Gruene Hall:
We stopped at Gruene on the way home! 

Next, we headed back to San Antonio for a girls trip with my Midland gals: 




I was too scared to walk home so I convinced a lady to give us a horse and carriage ride at half price! 
Daddy was on duty! Daddy and E went to Landry's Seafood for dinner! You can see the Alamo in the background! 
This year I had the privilege to get to plan my 10 year High School Reunion from Trinity School in Midland, Texas 


This chapel changed my life repeatedly, the words I learned here I will carry with me forever

I had the a very special opportunity to speak with my very best friend at Upper School Chapel. I looked around the room and felt so honored to pour into lives of those kids. 


I got to lead a cheer on the sidelines and yell out "Go Chargers" over the intercom! 

Chili Cook Off

It was fun to see how much everyone had grown!
I've been to New York City close to 20 times, but none as special as sharing one of my
 favorite places with my baby! 
Times Square

Baby E was a fantastic pilot 


His 1st taxi ride


Fun in FAO Schwartz

The big piano was even more fun this trip

Mitch is oddly good at puppet shows


We went to the city in the midst of a blizzard! 


Todd English Food Hall at the Plaza

Octupus, Steak, 



My all time favorite bakery


The Loeb Central Park Boat House is my very favorite restaurant 



I had the most incredible opportunity to style a Fashion Show for New York Fashion Week!!!!
 Dreams come true!  Believe in yourself!
{I'll write an entire blog on this later}
Bucheon Bakery + Dean & Deluca a few more favorites


Day 2 of Fashion Week!
{In my favorite vintage Fox Fur I bought right out of college}

The most handsome men ever! I took Mitch to buy some staple over coats while in NYC for his 30th bday!
Every man needs a nice classic trench! 

 We visited Granbury, Texas for Mitch's 30th birthday! 
{I had planned a trip to Vail, Colorado but we were unable to go... 
so last minute I packed our bags and we headed out!} 


We stayed at the cutest Bed and Breakfast ever!! 


Mitch's 30th birthday decor! 

It was a travel themed birthday! 




My man! 

This was ranked the #1 steak house  in Granbury by D magazine... they were sorely mistaken! 

My prince in the cutest claw foot tub! I wanted to take it home! 


The food was incredible! Sweet potato pancakes! 

Texas Independence Day Festival 


We saw the Masked Rider from Texas Tech!! 








Thirty is a big milestone in life. I chose a travel theme for Mitch's birthday as this is a passion we share. I picked up the book "Oh the Places You Will Go" by Dr. Seuss at Target. After reading the book, I was left  in tears. Every word rang so true for Mitch. I had prayed over Mitch awhile back and knew that he is called to move mountains. And that is exactly what the book said, "And will you succeed? Yes, you will, indeed (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains." The excitement that rises up in me is conformation that I will experience Big things from this husband of mine! He has already broken free from so much baggage. He will leave such a great legacy in this lifetime! I am honored to walk beside him and am so excited to see what all the Lord uses him for! 
He is extraordinary! 

Lastly, this year we travelled to Cabo San Lucus, Mexico for my cousin's wedding 

The gorgeous Pueblo Bonito Sunset Resort 



The only day we left our resort


Spa day 


Our ride for the week! BEEP BEEP

The Taylor babies with E 


Sunrise yoga on the beach 






A room with a view

The Herrin's y'all! My cousin got married!!! 

The words Steven spoke about my dad play over in my head all the time.  He let my dad know that he is like second father to him and credited Saeed for helping him succeed as an engineer. The bond these 2 have is awesome. I am thankful for a hard working dad that invests in young men. That he pushes young men hard but helps them excel not only in their careers but as men of the next generation. 
We've literally been friends since the womb








My cousin got married at the most beautiful resort! This was the most relaxing trip as we only left the resort once to go jet skiing! We slept (fought off a bad chest cold), did yoga, ordered a ton of room service, went to the pool and the beach! Next time we go to Cabo we will branch out more and explore but relaxation was just what we needed this trip!! 

This was the best year of my life, it came with immense challenges but they were all worth it. Cheers to the next 90 years of exploring the world. The more I see, the more I realize I haven't seen anything at all. 

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

"20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain 





5.01.2014

Birthday Wish List

Well, it's my birthday week and my sweet hubby has already spoiled me rotten {It's really been uplifting as I have been nursing a sick baby back to health and haven't left our house in a week!} 
Flowers, a gift certificate for a mani/pedi, a massage, and Rachel Zoe's new book "Living in Style".
 He has surprised me everyday with something and made me feel beyond special!! 

Here is my Birthday Wish List

Bracelets: Puravida 
I love these! They are made in Guatemala & provide income for families in need! I've had a few friends talk about them lately and absolutely love the look as well as the functionality for a momma! 
Weekender: Nena & Co. 
I love to shop with purpose. These bags are made from recycled Mayan huipil (textile of women's clothing) and transformed into these beautiful bags! The best part is the company is committed to giving back to their country by providing clean drinking water for others! 
I am so over the bag I've been carrying since my original diaper bag fell apart!
Flash tattoos: Flash Tat's
These are just awesome! I saw them on a friends blog and knew this is the perfect solution for a new mom who doesn't want to poke their baby with a million bangles! 
Hammock: Amazon.com
We need a little R&R around here after all the illness! This gorgeous hammock is calling my name! 

Top + Kimono: Show Me Your Mumu
Show Me Your Mumu is hands down my favorite lines right now, can I have one of everything, please? 
Swing with flowers: Pinterest 
As much time as we spend outside, I'd love to make our surroundings as gorgeous as this!! 
Bike with a basket: Pintrest 
Sometimes I can be a little impulsive, especially when it comes to a deal! 
I bought a bike carrier for baby E off one of the Facebook garage sales! 
So now I need a bike with a basket so we can ride around!!! 

Hope you like these fun, summer ideas as much as I do!