Ice Ages... 2 & 5

Whenever it snows, sleets, or we have ice in Texas, it is a big deal!  Not only does school get cancelled but most of the roads get closed.  Thankful to have the chance this Spring to enjoy those "snow days" in the March Ice Storm!

"Mom sure knows how to layer."

 Freezing fun

Our tomato plants didn't survive this one...

 Check out dad's Texas sled made from a cardboard box!

You could hear their squeals for a long distance! 

High 5

Hip, Hip, Hooray, E is 5 today!  What a fun time we all had celebrating at Springwoods Park!  Thankfully, the weather was nice for the morning party.  After receiving so many nice gifts just a couple months ago at Christmas, E decided to ask his friends to consider bringing an item for Bags of Grace, a ministry he has worked with in our church.  What generous friends he has as a lot of crackers, waters, utensils and more were collected for those in need.  Check out all the fun that was had on his BIG birthday at the park!

Proud to be their Momma

Gearing Up for the Fun

Nature Scavenger Hunt and Edible Acorns

The Proud Parents at the Food Table

The Watermelon on a Stick was a Hit

See-Saw, Up and Down

On the Scavenger Hunt

Pine Cone Bird Seed Success

Good thing Nana and B-Bob collected these for the Party

Cupcake Decorating-Free For All

Even the Squirrel wanted in on the Fun

Singing to the Birthday Boy

Check Out T's Face

Pinata

Giving it his All

Going for the Gold...Fish!

Capturing the Candy

E's Big Gift

Green Acres

"Green acres is the place to be..." especially if it means being with family!  Thanks to Bill and Layne for hosting the boys to their newly acquired property just outside of College Station.  The boys had a blast making memories on the farm!

The Proud Owner

They Call Him the Fireman aka B-Bob

The Campers

A New Meaning of Swamp Juice (also what we call our morning smoothies)

Brotherly Love

Bear Hugs

Sun Catchers and Nappers

Deer Blind or Playhouse??

Lots of Land To Explore

Tractor Fun

Green Acres!

No Bull About It...Hiking Bull Creek

One of the greatest discoveries very near our house is Bull Creek.  As noted below, there is some beautiful scenery to take in while on the trails.  A hiker could spend a full day exploring but the boy's naps were calling their names after walking and working so hard.

"Can we swim?"

Mini Waterfall and Cascades

A New Perspective

OMG...T is our fearless child!

Riding High on Dad

Bull Creek Boys

North 40 after New Year

We have found that the boys do so well in nature and with open space.  For this reason, the North 40 has been a fun place to explore.  Many great memories have and will continue to be made there.

Cute Climber

Tree Huggers

Loving the Low Branches

Bouldering

On the Road Again

Batman to the Rescue

Cheese...

The End!

Christmas Crossword 2013

Thank you, family and friends, for visiting our blog.  We have grand plans to update it more often in the new year!  If you are stopping by for the answers to our Christmas Crossword, here they are:

Across

5. The Lake Travis Balloon Flight was quite a sight even if it was 0430.

6. Celebrations that PaPa has now had 60 of:  birthdays

7. We experienced freezing temperatures while camping at Inks Lake in March.

10. Our family (and many others) went on this after joining a wonderful, new church very near our house:  retreat which was a real treat!

12. Twelve yards of this stinky stuff was spread over our entire yard, garden, and flowers:  compost

15. The beautiful Park in Colorado where Emily and her dear friends, Laura & Amanda Applegath, ventured to in May:  Estes

16. Emily got back into this setting at work this semester:  clinical

Down

1. The grade that Ethan will be in next year:  Kindergarten

2. What Ethan loves to tube behind:  boat

3. The mode of transportation that Gigi & Emily took when visiting friends in Dallas this Summer:  bus

4. This boy's stats include being 32 lbs & 3’:  Travis

8. This boy's stats include being 46 lbs & 3’8”:  Ethan

9. The last name of Reese Layne, our healthy baby niece, born on April 28th:  Garrison

11. The first University of Texas game that Ethan got to attend with Papa was this sport:  football

13. Halloween at our house included a tiger, an elephant, and 2 zoo keepers.

14. The state that Will & Emily's September rendezvous took them while starting in Boston:  Maine

 

Thank you for staying in touch!  Merry Christmas and may you find much laughter and love in this holiday season!