Tuesday, September 12, 2017

End of school and Summer fun!

Kdg. Graduation with Mrs. Greenman. Such a proud Sam!
Sam successfully completed Kindergarten this past school year! It was an eventful year for all of us,  either being in school or adjusting to being a parent of a kiddo in school. We loved his teacher, Mrs. Greenman, who helped to make it a really great and positive experience. She was a veteran teacher and knew how to handle 22, 5-6 year olds, it was pretty amazing to watch

. I was able to participate as the Room Parent, which I'm glad I did in that we were able to meet other parents, all of Sam's classmates, and learn how the school world works. It was a long year, but did go by quickly. We were all really glad when Summer was here and able to have a little more relaxed schedule. Sam's favorite thing about last year was Mustang Roundup. Which is an end of the year carnival and our class sponsored the Balloon-pin toss booth. Each class had to create a basket for auction and our class basket was BBQ Enthusiasts, it was a big hit since most everyone in Texas loves BBQ.


Family picture, Isla refusing to look at the camera.



Last day of school and also PJ day. Whew....we made it!.
First day of Summer Break! We started it off at Guerrero splash pad with friends.
Cutie pie taking a lunch break from splash-padding!
Sam started piano lessons in June. We thought Summer would be a good time with some extra brain space to spare. I can't say it's his favorite past time, but he is certainly making progress and it's wonderful to see  him making the connections between music on paper to the piano keys.
Isla comes along to piano and likes to show Ms. Becky her stuff. She isn't taking lessons, but loves to learn little bits and pieces. Ms. Becky is a pro who has been lessons for years and really knows how to get little kids to listen and connect. She's amazing and in our neighborhood!.

Night time reading. Sam's favorite place is to perch right on top of you.
Nothing like 60 pounds of solid kid laying on you to read.


Sunday evening symphony at the Long Center. We love this Summer time activity. Here's Aunt Verna and Sam measuring up to each other, he's almost as long as she is!.

Austin Nature and Science Center. I'm not sure how we have never been to this gem before. But it was super fun and free!! Can't beat that, and huge fossils and a dinosaur fossil park that you can dig your own fossils in.

Early morning play time. I love how they were playing quietly together. All Summer long they did great and mostly got along. There were plenty of sibling squabbles, but overall they really enjoyed spending time together. Sibling love :)

4th of July and smoke bombs!! Again, Sam was crazed by the fireworks and getting to set them off. Isla was behind the door with head phones on. She is not a fan of fireworks.

End of the season soccer. They were the Cowboys!

Sam and Reo. He has always loved this cat and I found him one morning sitting in his under ware on the porch, just petting the cat and enjoying the morning.

Helping day cut up branches. Never to early to give your 5 year old a saw.....or perhaps it is.

Hanging out in a bunny hutch, they were in heaven. Along with Violet Calderaro. This kept them busy for most of the afternoon and up inside the hutch.
Isla started Saturday morning gymnastics at the YMCA. She calls it "flip school."
She LOVES it and looks forward to it during the week.


Swinging like a monkey!

Chilling in butterfly chairs at the Austin Botanical Garden.
Mishap of the Summer: Isla accidentally stepped on a sewing needle, which required unexpected surgery to remove. Here we are at Dell Children's ER waiting to go to surgery. Luckily, it was a very fast and easy procedure and she was back to normal in a few days. Hughhhh... the stress of parenting.

Sam learned to read this past year and has really excelled. He does a great job and Isla loves to snuggle up and listen. Of coarse his favorite books are super hero books. But whatever he likes to read, as long as he's reading, is great by us.

Perdenales State Park. This was in June before things got really hot. We hiked and splashed in the falls at the park. Here's Isla taking a snack break while the boys explored a little more.
Dad, Sam and Odelia hopping rocks.


It's Elsa from Frozen, or some form of her. Isla showing off her girly side. The cute thing is, is that Quinn bought this all on his own for her 2nd birthday. It just took another 1.5 years to grow into.


Last day of Summer at the same lake house as last Summer. We had so much fun last year, that we had to go back. Nothing like spending the last day of Summer in the lake and picnicking on the dock.

Sam had a lot of swim time this summer as well as swimming lessons. So he has turned into a fish and has made leaps and bounds of progress over the year.
Daddy just chillin like a villain.

Nearly nap time and girly is pooped out

At Fleet Foxes concert at Moody ACL theater. Feeling large and in charge at 36 weeks pregnant

Taking a rain walk during the several days of down pour during hurricane Harvey.
We had to get out and stretch our legs and looks for worms.





Saturday, September 2, 2017

Colorado in July


Family photo op in over the Arkansas river in Buena Vista, Co.
We were lucky enough to go to Colorado again this year in July, which was over Quinn's birthday and right before Sam's 6th birthday. The last time we were there was in 2015 and we were so glad to go back to the Johnson Cabin and spend time with Jan, Ken, Debbie, Grandpa and Grandma Pauline. Quinn was super glad to get to celebrate his birthday on a mountain top, actually he climbed two 14er's, so it was a big deal for him.

Our trip out there was easy-peasy and we had a direct flight. The trip home was not so easy and we had multiple delays and had to switch planes three times! But a cool and relaxing week in Colorado was worth the effort. We went canoeing at Twin Lakes with Grandpa and Grandma Pauline, fed the chipmunks at St. Elmo, swam at Mt. Princeton hot springs, hiked, had a date night for Quinn's birthday while Jan and Ken so wonderfully watched the kids.


First day of vacation. After leaving 100+ heat in Texas, it was so nice to sit outside and not sweat to death and enjoy the outside. Why don't we live in Colorado?

Surrounded by mountains all around while canoeing at Twin Lakes.






Lunch time after some good paddeling
Grandpa and Grandma Pauline
Spending the morning in Buena Vista playing at on the boulder play ground and checking out the cute down town shops.


Isla working on her rope climbing skills




Some pretty funny Trump bumper stickers. Colorado is not a fan.


Isla had to wade in every body of water we came to. And despite the fridge mountain
water temperature, she didn't seem to mind.


Always climbing, he was in rock climbing heaven.

First hike at Hecla Junction. Despite the higher altitude and being 7 months pregnant,  it was a beautiful hike.

Isla needed some Daddy help at the end, but Sam was a trooper and kept right up.

Pizza and root beer floats for all after the hike.

Downtown Salida, looking at all the interesting stores.

Cuddled up reading bedtime stories under Great Aunt Verda's quilt. Pretty special.

Morning coffee and PBS Wild Kratts with cousin Debbie.

Quinn getting in on the boulder action.

The kids loved this boulder park, we went there at least 3 times.

Playing at the river again, watching the kayakers and river surfers.

Isla....back in the water, this time she's "washing rocks"

Handsome fella totally in his element

Isla found her people and was happy to have help with her puzzles.

Isla decided she just HAD to go up this mini mountain, but needed Daddy's help.



Sandbox time with Grandpa 

Birthday boy with strawberry rhubarb pie.....the best!

Playing giant Jinga. Watch out for your toes!

Getting help from Grandpa. I think this is technically cheating.



Moving on to pine cone races with Jan.

Get it Grandpa!!

Feeding chipmunks at St. Elmo. Sam loved it, but Isla was still a little dubious.
She really just wanted to pet them. Grandpa was having a hard time explaining
that they don't want her love and attention.

Boy-boy's got it figured out.











Mama and her girl selfie.

Hammock by the stream was super fun and kept them entertained for a nice long time.

Stories with Grandma Pauline.

Sam wowing Grandpa with his reading skills as Grandpa kept falling asleep.

Making humming bird food (sugar water) with Jan.

Getting it all filled up.


Back to the bridge and river








Daddy's birthday-day. Why not have ice cream and a 2nd cup of coffee at 11am before lunch.
It's your birthday, do what you want! The kids totally agreed.

Baby belly!



It was a hot day that day and a long hike.


Back at the cabin floating boats on the stream, always the best past time.


How Isla and Mama were feeling at 12+ hours of travel back to Texas, we were DONE!

Quinn's solo hike up Mount Shavano 14,182 ft
And while he was at it, he decided to head up the neighboring mounting Mt. Tabaguache. He was feeling it the next day, but was very glad he did both.

Such a great view from all around!.