Hey guys,

Sorry to leave you hanging over here for so long.

I’ve decided to combine my personal blog with my photography blog, so if you’ve been searching for updates on Ephram, Beau and I, head on over! — Donya Luana Photography

Sometime soon, all the old blog posts here will be merged onto the main blog as well. See ya over there!

Beau and I decided that after a full day of unpacking all of our boxes on Saturday (yes, the movers finally arrived), Sunday would make the perfect day for a trip to Moody Gardens in Galveston.  Have I mentioned how much I love living so close to the ocean?  Not too close though. ;)

Once we told Ephram our Sunday plans of going to see birds and fish and monkeys, it was all he would talk about.  We took a very scenic ride there so we could explore a bit, so for the entire 2 hour drive he asked about the Monkeys.  Luckily, the Rainforest Pyramid didn’t disappoint.

Someone got pretty tired (and sweaty from the humidity) towards the end, and there may have been a tantrum thrown over wanting to push the stroller himself… so we sped through the end of the exhibit. But overall, he was a super good boy and very interested in the animals.

Christmas 2011 was kind of a blur. (I think it is every year, actually) A rush. My last few days of work. Enjoying the last few days in Minnesota. Spending time with the family. Answering questions about our plans in Texas.

Christmas eve was spent with Beau’s family before I headed off to my last overnight shift at work.  You have no idea how happy I was that this would be my last holiday working.  I have an inkling I won’t even really miss the holiday pay much.

Of course the food was awesome as always.  Helping Mema.

Seeing the littlest boys of the family, up on the bar stools, watching the preparation of food, was just too cute.

After we ate, it was time to open presents.  Ephram loves his papa.

All the cousins, in their Christmas pajamas.  A new tradition?

I am fairly certain this was his favorite present of the night.  Unfortunately, he hasn’t played with it since this night because it’s been packed up for the move!  We’re crossing our fingers those terrible movers bring our stuff today or tomorrow. At this point, if I didn’t take a picture of it, I don’t even remember what he all got for Christmas!

Eskimo kisses with Auntie Amy.

Cousin Zach’s drill was another big hit.  I think we’ll be in search of a pretend tool kit for someone’s birthday coming up. ;)

Gosh, Texas is nice, but it would be a million times better if our families lived here.  Hint, hint… ;)

Ephram asks every night to read the books ‘pop’, ‘choo choo’ & ‘ah fook’. If that last one didn’t have such a hilarious name, I might be slightly more annoyed that Beau and I have been reading the same three books to Ephram since January 6th – the day we left Minnesota for our new home in Texas. If I’d known that on January 24th (18 days later) that we’d still be without our furniture, clothes, cookware, toys, couches, bed, ect… you can bet I would have left more books unpacked and taken them in the car with us. Lesson learned: Never listen to spoken promises on the phone of a moving company. Nearly 20 days later you’ll read the fine print on that moving agreement and find out that there is really no guarantee of any specific amounts of days before you’ll be reunited with your furniture.

And for those of you who can’t translate 22 month old speak, the above mentioned books are ‘Hop on Pop’, a picture book featuring a train, and ‘The Foot Book’. The first and last being Dr. Suess’s creations.

Anyways, we are now officially in Texas and finally have internet, and I really wanted to post a Tuesday Odds & Ends today. But it’s just not happening. I’ve got a little guy running around the house asking for ‘Cheese?!’ because I slipped and let him know I was going to make mac and cheese for lunch. At least I’ve got lunch figured out. Dinner on the other hand… My brain simply cannot come up with a warm, healthy meal that I could cook with only a baking sheet, a large cooking pot, and plastic silverware. Oh, and tongs. I do have tongs. If you have any ideas for me, now is the time to speak up! :)

I’m also contemplating combining the blogs. For some reason, I’ve been disliking the disconnect for awhile. I want one place to post about Ephram, our life in Texas, my personal ramblings, my photography, things that inspire me, and whatnot. What are your thoughts?

Funny thing, now that I read through my post, I guess this is sort of an Odds & Ends post after all. In disguise! :)

Photos below: Our new deck plants.

Well, I didn’t get around to prettying up some pictures from our second week in Texas today, but we did head to the park. And the funniest thing happened and I it just couldn’t go on unblogged.

It was so beautiful in Texas today that we just had to get out of the house. It was 75 degrees, partly cloudy, very windy which made the air smell tropical… So right after naptime we walked to the park. I am really loving having this park so close by. I have a feeling we will be having a few picnics there in the coming weeks.

Ephram has a clear favorite when it comes to the park activities; the swing.

After about 30 minutes of swinging – I’m not kidding – I convinced Ephram to explore the rest of the park.

Here’s him and me climbing up one of the curved ladders. Beau was taking pictures of Ephram while he was slightly preoccupied observing some older kids playing across the park. Always observing.

Then as you can see below, we smacked heads somehow and Beau captured the whole thing. That kid has one hard head. No lie.
(It may take awhile to load, but will continue to loop afterwards.)

Haha, I love his facial expressions! Mine on the other hand… well, they’re pretty funny too I guess. :)