Wow, what a great week in California!!!

Not only did Maya meet her cousin, Loretta for the first time, but Shu Shu was released from City of Hope earlier than we anticipated and surprised us in Bakersfield. (It's still early, so please hold your calls and visits to mom for the next couple of weeks.)


The trip actually started in San Jose, where Maya, Benji, and I did some hiking and checked out the local farm animals.


Maya searched for her favorite animal (duck) among the chickens. Later that day, Grandpaji drove up to San Jose to give us a ride back to Bakersfield for the weddings.


On Saturday morning, Maya, Katie, and the rest of the Tacketts went to Barbie's (our sister-in-law Amy's sister) wedding. On Saturday evening, I officiated Ray and Toni's ceremony.

It was a Father's Day to remember as the entire Tackett clan met up for the first time.

One of the highlights was Little Loretta meeting her namesake, Greatgrandma Loretta.

We're back in Austin now, getting ready for our move to DC in two weeks.

Birthday Party #2

In order to celebrate the sale of our house and Maya's birthday (again), we decided to have a small impromptu birthday party on Sunday with the Trulls (Ava - 18 months), Kreagers (Anna - 1 day younger than Maya), and Nolds (Ginger 11 months). It was chaotic - and fun!

After playing inside and eating dinner, we hit the pool.
Apparently, the most desirable aspect of the pool was trying to get out of it. Here Maya and Ginger are trying to make a run for it.

Anna won the award for staying in the pool the longest (check out Ava behind her!)
Maya enjoyed demonstrating her walking skills for everyone.


Ava and Maya wait for Mr. Finger, our beloved next door neighbor, to come say hi.

Tomorrow (Maya's actual birthday), we are going to celebrate our little bug all day long. I'm staying home from work, and we are going to do some of Maya's favorite things: going on the train ride at Zilker, swimming, eating lunch with daddy, and watching the "Quack, Quack, Waddle, Waddle" video approximately 50 times on youtube. I can't believe Maya will be a year old tomorrow. The last year has been filled with some tough times, but having Maya be a part of our family has helped us weather all of the storms a little bit easier. She really is the best medicine. Maya Drake, you are my sunshine. Happy birthday eve, baby girl!