Spring Break Part 1: Six FLags

I'll start the series out with our trip to Six Flags. It was the kids' first time to go. We left at about 8:30 am and returned just before midnight. What a day! In terms of the weather, it was perfect. But the lines were some of the worst I've ever seen. Fortunately, the kids didn't know the difference and they had a great time. Both of the big kids were very brave, though Emma did break down on the Conquistador. Morgan was fearless on the roller coasters. He loved the Shockwave, and would have taken on the Titan had he been tall enough.

Baby V waiting in line

Morgan is ready to board the Shockwave

All 3 with mom on the mini mine train

waiting with Pepaw

Baby V was not on board with the giant mascot thing...

...and she bails.

Just before leaving

Spring Break Series

We did SO much this spring break. So much that I'm going to break all the pictures up into a series of posts. Matt left for for SXSW the Thursday before last. The following day, the kids & I headed to Abilene. The first two days were rainy, but there was plenty of action once things cleared up. The main events were an epic senior portraits session for Shannon and a trip to Six Flags for the whole family. On Wednesday, we joined Matt at the Griffin house in Liberty Hill. Matt & I enjoyed dinner on 6th and a SXSW movie that night. The next day, we went to Pedernales Falls. The drive turned out to be a little more than we bargained for, but the river was worth it. On Friday, Matt & I did some much needed shopping– separately of course– while the kids played with Papa Wes & GG. They all got to ride a horse for the first time. We came home on Saturday, making a couple stops for pictures in the Texas wildflowers. They were unbelievably beautiful this year.

Phew! Ok, so that is the recap of events. I will do separate posts for Six Flags, Shannon's portraits, Pedernales Falls, etc. In the meantime, here are a few pictures of the kids on the trampoline in Abilene.

Balmorhea

Last weekend we took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Balmorhea near the Davis mountains. It's about a 2 hour drive. Once there, we went to the state park to wade in the spring. Then we took a drive into the mountains and let the kids do some climbing. For dinner, we ate at a tiny but delicious Mexican restaurant in Balmorhea (which was pretty much the only option besides a hamburger shack). We plan to make the trip again soon with proper swimming gear in tow.

Baby V proved to be a serious climber.

All 3 kids were fearless!

Valentine's Visit

The Griffin grandparents came to visit us last weekend. I made my first real pie on Friday night, and the homemade crust was totally worth it. On Saturday, Papa Wes made omelettes as usual. It was a cold day so we couldn't do as much as we normally do...walks and such. Matt & Wes did replace our kitchen sink faucet though. That night, we went on a date (yay!) while Papa Wes & GG took the kids out.


The pie

The Valentine's day treat spread from GG

Emma all dressed up to go to a Valentine's party.

"Shadows of the Home Place"

Some time last fall, Matt & I decided to buy each other our first real painting for Christmas. We wanted to start a collection of beautiful things to pass on to our kids some day. After researching new artsists online, we found Iris Scott's fingerpaintings. We looked through many of her finished pieces and had several in mind as candidates for purchase. But she had others that she had already sold that we loved even more. So Matt contacted her...one thing led to another...and we ended up commissioning an original painting. We told her which of her works were our favorites (we knew we wanted something with trees and shadows) and sent a photo as a starting point. From there, she sent digital sketches so we could flesh out what we wanted. We gave her some general ideas about the "feel" of the piece, and Iris took it from there. Now it is finally finished, framed, and hanging in our dining room. The name of the painting is "Shadows of the Home Place". We are so proud of our new addition!


The original photo

up close look at the painting

finally hanging up

The Treehouse

The kids have been begging for a treehouse for months and months. Finally, while I was out of town last weekend, Matt started working on it. I figured he'd buy the lumber and getting started cutting it. Imagine my surprise when he texted me a photo of a half-finished treehouse just hours after he began. After a second day of work, it was finished. The kids are enthralled, and now spend much of their time spying on the neighbors.




That's HOT

Look how high it is...yikes!

happy babies

The Start of a New Tradition

Ever since we drove through Fredericksburg on the way to Thanksgiving at the Roost, I've been dying to stop there. So my mom, sisters, and I planned a trip for mom's birthday weekend. It was pretty much perfect. We all agreed to make it an annual tradition.


Hitting the jam & condiments store

We spent a relaxing night at the Roost, just an hour away from town.



Our first lunch stop was at the Peach Tree Tea Room.

Relaxation was almost palpable here...

getting our shop on

One of many stunning window boxes

good times amongst the antique toys

one of many amazing antiques we saw...this is a French prayer clock.

sisters shot