It's finally Spring!

Winters in Texas are pretty mild, but this Winter has been a little colder than normal and we are excited about some warmer weather. Unfortunately it will only last for a few weeks and then it'll be Summer, when everywhere else it will still be Spring. None the less, we are enjoying going to the park and being outside. It has recently been very rainy, which is good as we are in a 5 year drought. But not so good when you have two cooped up little kids, who need to get out and run or they might implode. Since the New Year, things have been pretty status quo, and that is fine with us. But since I haven't posted in a few months, I figured I'd put up a few pictures of what we've been up to lately. 

Sam is now a little over 3 1/2 years old, he'll be 4 in July, unbelievable....and he says the funniest things everyday. I've had to keep a journal of the things that come out of his mouth so I can remember them, and go back and crack up remembering them. He loves, loves the outdoors and hiking with Quinn on their usual weekend boys hiking time ( Odelia gets to go too). He has recently discovered Disney movies, so this is a whole new adventure. He currently is very into Rapunzel. He is super-duper excited about going to California when Aunt Anna and Uncle Eric's newest baby arrives, which is in about 3 weeks from now. Just Mama and Sam are going, Daddy and Isla are staying home. He asks every day if his new baby cousin is ready to, "bust" from Aunt Anna's tummy. Oh waiting is the hardest part. He's super psyched about the plane ride and playing with Griffin and Phoenix for a whole week. 

Isla just turned 1 1/2 this week and I feel she has just all the sudden turned from my baby to a full fledged toddler. She would rather walk than be carried,  she is unbelievably independent AKA stubbon, and super spunky, but then when she needs to be held and cuddleed, it must be RIGHT NOW!  She and Sam can now really play together and chase each other, it's fantastic, finally. But that girl knows how to push his buttons and does it at every opportunity.  She can make him so mad and yell and stomp and then the next minute I find them secretly hugging in the pantry.  She has a full mouth of teeth now and has abandoned her 2 nap a day habit, which makes Mama very sad, but appreciate what a long run we had of her taking 2 naps a day. She and Sam have so many similarities in their personalities, but then again they are wildly different.  Sam is certainly my sweet and Isla is my spice!

Enjoying some frozen yogurt after a morning at the park and picnic. 

Isla loving some fro-yo too, "bi-gh, bi-gh" which means bite please

Enjoying her first Dim Sum experience

Sam was more interested in the Mango pudding, he ate two dishes

Isla loves, loves to sit on Aunt Verna's lap, especially when there's
 food to be stolen off her plate. Her first hot tea experience. 

So getting rid of the bottle was a challenge with Isla. Yup, it wasn't until about 16 months that it was totally eradicated.
Here is the saddest girl hanging on the fridge crying for a bottle. 

Hiking buddies, off on an adventure with Daddy and Delia.

Hanging out with friends, Vincent and Violet. They love each other and have the best time together. 

The girls, about 6 months apart and soon to be best buddies too.

Sweet Violet-girl, loves the swings and park

Funny man Vincent, always laughing, dancing and cracking jokes, even at the old age of 3 years. 

Rainy morning. Here is what happens when we can't go outside. Furniture turns into
 playground equipment. That would be Sam mid-air. 

Taking it all in at the Austin Aquarium. It's a small aquarium, not fancy,
but lot of hand on exhibits that are perfect for the kids. 

Mama and her boy hanging out in the fish tank. His favorite animal is still the jelly fish,
but he thinks he's a Cheetah and is the fastest runner in the world, or this is what he tells me.  

Poor Isla was not digging this Pirate.  Hopefully there will be no PTSD from this experience. 

Out hiking again and now climbing trees. 

Daddy and Isla, checking out some water falls. For a little girl,
she can sure walk a good distance all by her self. 

Scaling rocks and getting off the beaten path. "Come on Mama, follow me," I've heard
this a time or two from Quinn, I should probably be worried. 

Sweet girl had pink eye. Look at those giant, kissable cheeks. Just had to include this one.

She loves to play in the kitchen, especially with the salad spinner. She can be 2 rooms away,
but once she hears it, she comes a running

So we had the opportunity to go to St. Louis for a long weekend to celebrate with our dear friends, Ashley and Jonathan, it was Ashley's birthday. We made a surprise trip, she had no idea, and it was so great to surprise her. She just keep looking from us to Jonathan in disbelief. Just Quinn and I went... childless, for 4 whole days. It was fantastic, and the first time we've been away that long without kids since before Sam was born. So it was long overdue and so relaxing and wonderful. We had the best time catching up, having no agenda and eating, lots of eating. We have been friends with these guys for I think about 14 or so years or more. They are so fun and the dearest people, we love, love, love them!

Ashley's birthday dinner, super yum!

Delicious buttermilk cake was Ashley's birthday
 cake.

Birthday bunch at this super adorable French restaurant. We had the most delicious
 beignets and food. I had to photograph mine because it was just so pretty. 

After brunch we needed to walk and just kind of ended up at this basilica and wondered around.
 It was beautiful inside and everything seen is all mosaic, amazing.  

There was this very neat green, leather door that I liked, so I made Quinn take a picture.

After walking and digesting, we decided to go cosmic bowling.
 It was the birthday girls wishes and was such a fun thing to do.  

Jonathan's new nickname turned into Meatloaf Muffuin, as this is something he ordered at a groovy brewery/restaurant we went to the first night. It was a hysterical name, that we decided it was his new name.

Birthday dinner group. We were able to see Ashley's parents, who are the sweetest and most caring people, and as funny as can be! We really don't get to see them often, but when we do, it's like we never miss a beat and pick right up. They are super special people.