The Hummore

Mike and I purchased this house in the heart of Richardson. 

We will make sure to tone the sun down when you come, so you can get good pictures.

Please come visit, we have 250 rooms for you to choose from.

Altogether, North Carolina was a great and relaxing trip.

Chimney Rock

Sunday morning we went for a 3 hour hike up to Chimney Rock.  Graham loved the hiking backpack and Mike LOVED carrying him.  Match made in "30lbs on your" back Heaven.

First stop a water drizzly fall.

Next up, 300 stairs to Chimney Rock.

We make it to the top and get all dark pictures (boo).

This is where we hiked from.  Our car is in that lot.

Altogether, a great day of hiking spent with the fam.

Tomorrow:  The Biltmore

NORTH CARE-O-Lina, Come On and Raise up....

(bouncing on one leg, twisting my shirt 'round my head like a helicopter - thank you Petey Pablo)

We are back from Graham's first vacation - Asheville, NC. 

I was the most nervous about our plane ride.  I didn't want to disturb others that paid for a seat with my "free lap child".  So I bought a few (loosely stated) new items to entertain him and in true G form, he surprised me by bring curious, but not annoying to anyone.  Mam sitting in front of us - my last statement assumes that my son petting your big Texas hair was not annoying.  After all, you said you didn't mind.

Soaking it ALL in.

A new puzzle, with 8 small pieces (smart).

Suction, Spinner thing (check out how fast it is going). 

Also, don't mind staring Mister Background Man.  I saw him staring at me taking this picture, but I figured it would be more awkward to abruptly stop and stare back at him.  I later overheard him talking to his wife guessing that G was 3 months old and teething because he was "chewing" on stuff.  Sir, whose baby were you looking at.  I certainly did not allow any airplane bacteria near G's mouth.

Watching some Praise Baby with DA - (imagine G yelling) and Haircut.

With another hour of entertaining, on the plane, we made it.

Off to our cabin in the woods.

It was a long day of travel, so we put a giant baby in a small sink (of course) and went to bed.

Tomorrow: Hiking

(31 years old and still getting acne - I am probably, definitely going to look really young at 60 when I'm a grandma with acne)

Let's Hear it for Petey Pablo.

Coming 10.31.2010

Meet Haircut

Haircut goes LIVE on Halloween at the Hummel household.

After all, imitation IS the highest form of flattery.

Someone NEEDS a job...

This is what Landry was doing at 9am this morning.

Here she is at 4 in the afternoon.

Really?  You can't even get off the couch.  She needs to contribute in some way.

Her skills are, farting, eating poop, pulling you on walks, making you look weak, edging you out of your seat, being big, eating a lot and she is always well rested. 

She also prefers to wear all dark colors, so maybe she could work at Teknation or at TELOS for that matter. 

We are now professional...

I had been telling Mike I wanted to get professional pictures done of G for awhile, so he surprised me with a photo shoot for my birthday.  I have been putting it off for so long, because the process to "get ready" for the photo shoot is overwhelming to me.  So he surprised me with it the day before and we scrambled to pick something to wear and decided to wing it.  

My guess is that only works if the photographer is AMAZING!

  Here are a few of my favorites.

I love the way they turned out.  Aurora really captured  the personality and casualness of our family.  I would like to pledge to have her chronicle my family for the rest of our lives, in sickness and in health.  I DO.  In fact, Aurora Amaya, will you marry me?

In all seriousness, Aurora is a "destination wedding" photographer.  She is extremely talented, and we lucked out by being friends with her and begging a favor of her to take G's first professional pictures.  I hope that we can continue to recruit her talent as G grows, but she is extremely busy with way bigger fish to fry.

Aurora - Thank you, with all sincerity.  I really love the pictures, can't stop looking at them and am so thankful for your time, patience, kind spirit and God given talent. 

One more thing Aurora, If I put my wedding dress on and make G wear a tiny man suit can we be "featured" on your website?  In case you were thinking of saying yes (which I am sure you were) - I can't, my wedding dress has a giant poop brown stain on it from a 64oz chocolate protein shake (someone, Mike Hummel - stained my dress, and now my chance at stardom on a wedding photography website is over.) 

http://www.amayaphotography.com/

Mike - Thank you for hearing  my request for pictures, finding and amazing photographer and making this happen for our family.  Your laid back attitude mellows my A- Typeness and I am blessed to have you constantly seeking out new ways to love and serve me and our son.  I love you - best birthday gift EVER!

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS (top of my lungs singing)

Dear October,

Please don't end.  We had another fun trip to a Burleson local Pumpkin Patch (Mainstay Farm).  My whole family went minus a few that had to work (including Mike - ugh).

Graham's Nana made him a theme shirt - shout out!

1st Experience in the Big Chair (for both of us).  It was amazingly big.  I have seen these chairs before, but been too embarassed to get in one, but G begged me, so I did it for him.  My dad informed me these are expensive to make.  Regardless, I am planning on  making one and having it in the back yard for "events" and for my reading enjoyment - that's how much I liked it.

We went on a hay ride, where G proceeded to grip the railing, facing out, with an extermely serious face and shake the wagon to death.  He does this in his crib also, eventually I think the four sides will fall out and he will just be standing there looking proud like he conquered his cage.

We picked pumpkins.

Silly Graham.

Then we went back to my dad's for some pumpkin carving.

Someone did more eating then carving - shocking.

Finished product.

All and all, another great October day.  Please don't turn into November.

Let's Hear It for October.....Singing

Good Morning

My dear friend Alison invited G and I to the Arboretum this morning.  I have lived here 7 years and never been.  It was brides, babies and seniors day (apparently), so Alison and I fit right in.  In my opionion, a great alternative to the State Bacteria Fair. 

I have never seen so many pumpkins in one place.  I was hoping to get some great pictures of Graham, but as you can see he wasnt feeling a full on teeth smile, and I don't think we got a single picture without a baby, butt or stroller in the pic that was not part of our entourage.

Best picture I got, you can imagine the quality to come.

Kid and Hat in background - CHECK

Something you should know about G - he likes grass about as much as he likes the "big" tub.  Hay is definitely in the grass family.  So, I will proceed to carry him and bathe him on the kitchen counter - whatev!  Kid in background - CHECK. (G's hair twin)

Graham and Callie.

Butt Alert - CHECK (I wonder how many pictures my butt made it into today - lucky patrons)

G and Parker.

Cute Swamp Butt - CHECK (Some lady thought Parkers Boot was so "fun" and "cute".  You're right mam, a little boy with a broken bone "fun" and "cute" - I added her comments to may "smart things to say" list.)

Me and the babe. 

Looks like we did get one with no butts or babies.  I can't beleive Alison and I didnt get a picture together.  Let's see here, surely I can find one.

Meet Alison.

Daintily Pregnant with Parker.  In an effort to be fair and keep all of my friendships, see below.

Giantly Pregnant with G. 

In fact, I had him while we were out that night (kidding- but I could have).

So in review, we had a great time.  Thanks AT!

More Proof...

1 Year

Mike

G-Unit

Me

At one year, still looking like Mike.  Rude, rude and rude.  Maybe it's just the 1980 Olan Mills shot.  Fancy at 6 months and serious at 1 year.

Let's Hear it for the Boys (less than enthusiastic singing).

Comparisons...

6 Months

   

Mike

 

Graham

Me

You guys didnt know how fancy I could be, huh? Graham looks just like Mike - RUDE.

Let's Hear it for the Boys (singing LOUD and with Vibratt0).

Dear Mike,

I know you read my blog every few days or so (kind of rude), so I thought I would ask you a question (in a public forum-of course).  I have come up with a great idea for a family Christmas gift!  The problem is it will cost us $250, which is a little overboard for what we will get, but I think it add value in memories.  Before I show you, please say yes.  I am pretty sure this would make my holiday season.  These are organic and comfortable and would last you and I many more Holiday's to come. 

Drum Roll Please...

For Graham:  You know I love theme jammies for the baby.

Now the kicker...

They make them in our size too! 

I posted the second picture, not to confuse you into thinking I would like the long sleep shirt/ dress/ Laura Ingles look.

Babe - don't you think these are amazing.  We could pal around the house in these, decorate the tree, drink pumpkin spice lattes, watch movies, hang the stockings on the chimney with care, basically all of our favorite Christmas activities could be made more comfortable this year.  I know what you are thinking, "what if someone comes to the door?"  I have thought of the same problem, and I too would be embarassed, so I say we hide and pretend we arent home or have Graham answer.  I already know your second objection will be that they don't match your gray house shoes that you tend to some how wear as regular shoes to the Whole Foods, Church, Community Group, etc.  I have thought of this too, good news they make the below in size 13.  Sweedish Slippers, with a hard sole, so you can continue to wear these on walks, on an airplane or to work on casual Friday (don't worry no one notices they are house shoes).

The thing I am most excited about is a Christmas Picture to use as a card (simulation below).  Come on - you know this is great.

So honey, what do you say?

Let's Hear is for the Boys! (singing loudly) - der