Spring Break 2011

My wonderful family that I miss and love so much!! Brooke had Dad wear a birthday crown. She loves her Squeezy and he loves her!

Presenting dad with his birthday gift.

This is the Bob White painting that Dad has been wanting for a long time. It shows a man fly fishing (of course!) at sunset.

In my happy place feeding sweet Marielle.

Brooke teaching Marielle to dance.

All we heard all week long was, "I want to hold baby Marielle!"

The Fam!

One of the rooms in the beautiful Armstrong Browning Library at Baylor. The kids thought it was cool that I used to study there. Really, I did!

Us with my cousin Brian who is a freshman at Baylor this year. And to think this very tall young man was my ring bearer in my wedding!

Sic Em Bears!

Matt giving Louie Mueller BBQ in Taylor, TX a thumbs up. (I still like the Salt Lick better.)

So much of our visits revolve around the food.

I don't usually find my name up north so I had to snap this.

Brooke and her Emily goofing around.

You would never know this happy baby Marielle had a fever all day.

More food pictures -this time at Shady Grove in Austin. The green chile cheese fries are the BEST!! I love this place.

Luke and Brooke braving the cold waters at Barton Springs. Matt and I did too - promise we did! We went all the way under!

One of our favorite spots at Barton Springs.

Getting ready to go in!

Is there any greater delight to a kid (or an adult for that matter) than skipping stones? I don't think so.

I can't walk yet so I will just sit in the rocks and try not to eat them.

Our hike down to the San Gabriel River near my parent's house.

One of the girls' many sleepovers. Crowns were a must. Where is yours, Anneke?

Luke enjoying a Mexican coke. We had lots of those and drank Dr. Pepper like water.

Our wonderful friends from Sugar Land, the Blazeks. We were so fortunate to be able to spend a little time with them and meet their sweet newly adopted daughter, Hope.

Brooke and Hope. We were so excited to finally meet her!

This year the week leading up to spring break was insane. It was one of those crazy weeks where in addition to me working that week, I dealt with being sick, squeezing in a quick overnight trip to Akron, and the kids had a zillion things going on each evening. So it was one sweet moment when the plane took off and we were on our way. This year we had the the PERFECT weather. After our long winter, temps in the 80s never felt so good! It was one of those trips when I say to myself, "Now why don't we live in Texas?" I mean my family is here as well as bluebonnets, Bluebell ice cream, BBQ, loads of friendly people, Tex-Mex, pick-up trucks, lots of country music, Baylor, the list goes on. Then I have to remind myself, "May, June, July, August, and most of September." We couldn't handle the heat so we got out of the kitchen. But when we are "old and cold" we will be back. After all, it is my native state. Yes, we will be back someday.