Yes, its true. I had the extreme honor and privilege of meeting and hanging out with THE Laurie & Travis and their amazing kids this past week. I know you are all drooling with jealousy. I considered holding back just to not seem boastful or mean but damn, it was the best time EVER! The Goods are soooo much fun, so cool to talk to and such amazing parents. It feels like Laurie & I have known each other forever through our blogs and emails. She is one of my most trusted friends, the one I’d tell absolutely anything to and know it was safe in her hands and that she’d have some awesome wisdom to share in return and some level-headed outlook or sympathy or some positive spin to make me feel better. She’s made me laugh and cry and jump up and down in excitement more times than I can count. Her pregnancy felt like my pregnancy, her trip to Shane felt like my trip, her labor felt like my labor. Ok it didn’t feel like my labor because damn, I can’t even imagine! But what I’m saying is that my heart was in it all, she is like my sister (if i had a sister). I would do absolutely anything for her and her family and I know (because she has offered more than once!) that they would do absolutely anything for us. Hanging out with Laurie seemed like a ridiculously long overdue event.

{the beautiful & ridiculously photogenic Jack}

I insensitively agreed to meet Laurie at the zoo with her kids. Dumb. What was I thinking? Would YOU take three tinies under 2 to the zoo ALONE for FUN!?!?! Ha. No. I didn’t think so. Of course Laurie was all “Oh no! It will be FUN!”. None of us realized the zoo would be packed like a holiday weekend. Packed as in EVERY parking lot FULL, three rows of people looking at an exhibit packed. I’ve never seen anything like it, ever. But the weather was on our side and the zoo was cool. I honestly don’t know how Laurie does it AND makes it look so easy AND remains totally unfrazzled. She gives the rest of us Moms a bad name. There were three adults in my party and I was STILL frazzled! I shouldn’t even admit this but Noah, who is normally very skeptical and shy, just instantly fell in love with Laurie and her family. Well it wasn’t THAT instant since he’s had Finley’s picture as his wallpaper on his computer on and off since her birth 2 months ago. But he really totally latched onto Laurie and there were several times I was sort of chaotically trying to do multiple things and looked over to see BOTH my babies corralled with Laurie’s 3. That’s right - i am SUCH a good friend AND a good Mom that she ended up with 4 kids 2 and under and a rogue 6 year old at any given time. Ugh. I was ready to leave WAY before Laurie, I think!! She is just the epitome of calm, cool and collected.

{Queen Finley}

We spent the rest of the day just hanging out and talking at the Good’s home. You know the kind of home where you walk in and instantly just feel relaxed and at home? That was their house. Addison and Noah had a blast playing with Laurie’s kids and with Laurie & Travis too. The kids totally TRASHED the house (osrry L&T!) including pouring about 50lbs of sand all over the porch and occasionally bringing into the house. FUN!

{the gorgeous Shane}

Jackson is a total blast - he is just such a fun kid. He is so full of life and energy and joy. That kid never stops smiling! And if you follow their blog you know that he’s a total genius. He’s amazing. And for a kid who isn’t even 2 who had his entire house invaded and all his toys messed with, he did an AMAZING job of sharing. Shane is just such a sweetie, he has the most soft sensitive eyes ever. He just pulls you right in. Noah had so much fun with him! And Finley - omg - what a doll baby! I got to hold her and love on her and then Tony snatched her up and you could just see that baby lust in his eyes! Heehee. She is so itty-bitty and precious and Jackson is so sweet and loving with her. They really are just such a beautiful family. Noah & Jack were fast friends but Noah couldn’t get enough of holding Finjin and letting Shane climb all over him, too. Addison totally fell in love with Travis. He is such a good Daddy, so hands-on. It takes a lot to earn Addison’s trust but Travis won her right over!

{hugs all around}

We were lucky enough to be invited back the next morning before our plane left. We were going to meet up for baby socc-a but instead headed to the park to play and we just LOVE their neighborhood. I would be very very happy living there. The fitness level of everyone is just awesome, it was really inspirational. There was a whole TEAM of moms doing stroller-exercise in the park which actually was a little Stepford and hilarious but still pretty amazing. I almost took a picture! haha. Its pretty awesome here, too, but Houston is the fattest city in the country for a reason! Anyway their parks are awesome, their little neighborhood has both a Starbucks & an Einstein Bagel which is really all I need to be happy (notice how this is contrary to the above fitness goals. haha). Dalton & Teegan really loved it there, too. They loved the parks, the nature, the wildlife.

We were really sad to leave and stayed until the last possible minute possible. We can’t wait to visit again. The Goods are family, now, as far as I’m concerned! How lucky are we?!?!

{playing at the park}

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 1:44 pm and is filed under Holidays & Vacations, Photos & Videos, Things I Love. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.