A week in the Hill Country

We house sat last week for our friends Willy & Rachel. They live out in the Hill Country and we love their house, so we took them up on it and said yes. I ended up getting sick, blah, but it was still really relaxing and fun to go out there. The kids loved the hot tub and being outside.

They were mad when we left. Especially because they got to play however long they wanted to and run around wherever they wanted to. They would probably get hit by cars on our street. It was a treat. ;-)

We sat on their deck almost every night...even when I got sick. Jason was definitely relaxed....and on his phone. I have a habit of teasing him about his phone..of course, that's how I took this picture. ha!

And seriously, the sunsets. Wow. Such an enjoyable week. Loving our summer.

The birds at the zoo hate me.

The kids and I went to the zoo. The birds hate me there. We tagged along with Jenn and the her kiddos. Her poor Jackson was sick, so that made for 2 mommas with 5 kids!

Everything was easy the first half of the day. There was a cool breeze, but I was prepared and packed every jacket I had.

Everyone was happy.....Except Reagan. She pretty much sat there the whole time with her blanket and "mimi" and did not smile. This look says, "Leave me alone. Stop taking pictures of me. Give me your credit card and let me get out of here." I'm sure a sign of what's to come.

But Luke was happy. :)

We saw Rhino's...

And pretty birds....(the good ones)

A little while later the kids got hungry. So, we found the "beach area" so the kids could play in the water and eat their lunch.

And then Jenn left me. And the world fell apart.

Luke fell and cut himself because I wasn't watching. I wasn't watching because a bird pooped all over my lunch. Then, with the bird poop in hand I ran to get Luke who was screaming and crying. I know someone was watching all of this and shaking their head in disbelief. "Ahh...look at her not paying attention to those children!"

We got all that settled and then Reagan knocked over Jenn's diet coke that she had just bought. And we all know how much we love a good fountain diet coke. I sat Reagan down and another bird pooped all over me. Gross.

I went to buy another diet coke and while walking there with Reagan in the stroller, my diet coke spilled out and then someone next me looked up and said, "Oh look it's raining bird poop." And there I was standing right under it. Why God didn't take me right then and there, I don't know.

They were wondering the same thing....

After an hour of realizing that my luck had run out we decided to leave. All the kids were freezing cold and I redeemed myself as a useful part of this world when I pulled out all my jackets for them.

Except this is what they looked like......

Ahh...good times.

Some Houston Highlights

We are having a great time in Houston. I am planning on tomorrow being a day of "rest" for us. Don't want to overload our trip with doing a lot of things and not really having a vacation...if you know what I mean.

We went to the Galleria today and had a great time. Will post more on that later (with some pictures), but for now I can at least say that Jason was OVERWHELMED just a bit. :)

Here are some pictures from our journey here.

This is in Schulenberg, Texas (half-way point to Houston). Great Pecans!

Remember my story about Reagan & the cookies? Well, here is the proof!

Jackson took this picture. :) My brother is on the far left with his SUPER SWEET wife Melissa and that is my sister, Savannah in the middle with her boyfriend Carlos. Love those kids!

This is one of the first times Jackson has spent significant time with my brother. My brother, who is also a drummer really bonded with Jack. It made my heart glad.

Sweater Twins! Melissa and I actually showed up in the same sweater! Ha.

More highlights -

*Jackson was given $15 for Christmas from my grandma and he bought a super soft Cars blanket. He loves it, but I love it more.

*I splurged at Charming Charlie's at the Galleria. I am obsessed with that place!

*Got to have dinner with a great old friend. Yay for meatloaf, Guitar Hero and old friends.

Bummer highlight -

*My kids are sleeping horribly and now Jason and I have started taking turns at who gets to sleep in the room that has no kids in it. Bummer!

Stay tuned for more!

Christmas Memories

We recently took some pictures and I couldn't believe how much our kids have changed! Time sure does fly.

We didn't capture one of Jack looking at the camera,

but this one made my heart warm.

This is the first Christmas that Jackson has actually understand.
It's been a joy to see it through a child's eyes.

He loves and ADORES his "Baby Sister".

Our little "Rae" of sunshine.
She is now 11 weeks old and is already weighing 12 lbs!!!!
When we went to get her shots last week I couldn't believe
how big she was. And....she is sleeping through the night already.

I'm excited for more Christmas Memories. I couldn't be more blessed.

P.S. Jason turns 32 this Friday!