Spring 2016

As it is entering into Summer, I figured I should get the lead out and post some pictures from this Spring. We've had a relatively uneventful Spring, but have been keeping busy doing this and that. One big decision we were finally able to decide upon is that Sam will be attending Manchaca Elementary School for Kindergarten this coming Fall. After looking at several schools, we feel happy and excited that he'll be starting at the neighborhood school. He is super excited, and Mama and Dad are proud and sad at the same time. It is unbelievably hard to believe he is almost in Elementary school, he still seems like he should be a baby, not a school age kid yet! But he is ready, it's just us that need to catch up.

Isla just a little over 2 1/2 years old and talking, sing, and dancing up a storm. She loves caring for her babies, dress up shoes and girl stuff, but also trucks, cars and dirt...she is very multifaceted.   Her biggest news is that she potty trained herself.  It has taken very little effort on our part, girlfriend just took it and ran. Thank goodness! She works hard to keep up with Sam, and does a pretty good job. They are the best of friends one minute and fussy brother and sister the next. So here are park pictures, Austin Rodeo pictures, Easter holiday, kindergarten round-up and my recent trip to St. Louis to visit Ashley and Jonathan. They are excepting a surprise baby at the end of July and I was lucky enough to attend her baby shower and spend some quality time with them for the weekend.

Pretty Bitty babe. Having some afternoon fun at the park.

It's not a party until Aunt Verna gets into the park Jeep. Notice she was put in the back seat.

Sam loving some tree climbing

Cozy kiddos watching some Saturday morning cartoons. I was making breakfast and

turn around and find them all cozied up together. Super sweet.

All smiles and a happy girl

"Chase me Daddy!" This is pretty much how Quinn and Isla operate. She's the boss when it comes to Dad.

We made a visit to University of Texas Memorial Museum to check out the dinosaurs. All the skeletons were recovered from central Texas. The guy behind Sam was found about 6 miles from our house, crazy!

Rodeo Austin comes every March, and it's always fun to go. It is usually rainy weather, but this year we lucked out and had nice weather. Sam LOVES the rodeo and usually asks all year long when we can go. We usually just go to the kids farm, looks at the booths, animal and go to the carnival. But this year, since Isla is a little older, we decided go to the actual rodeo show. It was 2 hours of barrel racing, steer roping, mutten bustin, bronco and bull riding. They were both in a trance pretty much the entire time. On the way home, Sam was asking me a question about the cow attack event. It took us it a minute to understand that he was taking about steer wrestling, which we now call Cow Attack.

The carnival was great and lots of fun little kids rides to enjoy.

Isla loves trains, so this fit the bill perfectly.

Their first introduction to cotton candy. They were in heaven. Given the excitement and running around,

we figured they would burn the sugar off pretty quickly, which they did, thankfully.

Baby animals!! Who wouldn't be excited?!

Mama and Bitty, needing a little snuggle time from the rodeo craziness.

All the farm equipment was like an unexplored playscape. They were all over the tractors, lawn mowers, and anything else with tires and steering wheels.

Easter was fun time with several egg hunts. They loved hiding and find eggs so much, that that was the main activity around the house, over and over, and over again. We went to the YMCA, which had a huge egg hunt, separated by age groups, which was great and the little ones didn't get clobbered by the older kids. On Easter morning, we went on a hike at McKinney falls, not far from our house. It was a beautiful morning and so nice to be out and about.

Isla, looking very contemplative and strategizing her egg gathering.

There were train rides, jumpy houses and several activates, it was great.

JUMPY HOUSE, Sam's Kryptonite. He loves these things, but what 4 year old wouldn't.

Aunt Verna and Sam being silly and trying to get this boy to pose for a picture.

The skies looked stormy, but the sun shone through and made for a very impressive Easter morning view.

More silliness. Aunt Verna is a sucker and always has open arms to hold.

Loot! So much candy and a lot of happy kids.

There are 2 falls, it was lovely.

We've been working on a little retaining rock wall, garden area. So the kids needed to take advantage of playing in the mud.

They surprisingly didn't get as dirty as I was expecting. But it still warranted getting hosed off outside before a bath.

 Kindergarten round up was April 5th. Quinn and I were both able to take Sam and we made a day of it. It is rare that we get just a, "Sam day." It was great, and what kiddo doesn't love the undivided attention of both his parents. So our worries of him going to school were lessened on this day. When all the kids were asked to line up at the front, and parents in the back, Sam ran right up there, with all the kids he has never met,  and was not worried in the least. So during the entire school tour, he was good as gold with us way in the back observing. It was that small action that helped us to feel at ease and that he is going to be just fine.

Such a big kid, my heart is melting.

Part of day included going to the movies and having lunch there. We was the Good Dinosaur, which he loved. And he got to eat his lunch in the movie theater, while being entertained.

Daddy and Sam, waiting for the movie to start.

This picture makes my eyes tear up every time. From Pre-K to college, seriously.

Isla's expression is so funny to me. She's not quiet smiling, but not sad either.

 Our dearest friends Ashely and Jonathon, in St. Louis, are having a baby at the end of July! We could not be more excited for them, they are going to be the best parents, probably in history. They have so much love to share, this baby has not idea how good he/she is going to have it. I was able to go to her baby shower to celebrate her and was so glad to spend some good quality time with both of them and their families.

It was beautiful weather and we were able to enjoy some live music and drinks at a winery outside the city.

But poor Ashley just got to sip on some water.

She is glowing as a pregnant woman, so beautiful.

Mama and Dad to be!