Texas State Capitol

Last weekend we finally visited the Texas State Capitol for the first time since we moved back to Texas!  It's such a gorgeous building and kids had a blast exploring both the beautiful grounds and the inside of the Capitol!

 Owen had all kind of questions about the cannons on the grounds, and tried them all out by sitting on them.

We spent quite a bit of time on the Nevada Capitol grounds in Carson City, so it was meaningful to expose another state Capitol to Owen.  Our experience started some great conversations with our little 6 year old!  Only two days after our visit, Senator Wendy Davis filibustered on the Senate floor and Owen saw some highlights on the news.  He got so excited exclaiming he "had just been in that room!"

College Station

I have a feeling the rest of our summer is going to look like this post....in the WATER!  It's the only way to be outside here, as we've already hit 100+ degree weather.  Luckily, my kids love the water as much as I do!

 We recently spent a week in College Station while Micah was working in Tahoe.  I think we all enjoyed relaxing and spending time with family (and swimming).

Owen learning how to dive, in a pool where diving apparently isn't allowed.  Funny picture!

 

The kids went to the pool one afternoon with Aunt Madison and her boyfriend Blake.....this gave me a nice little break!

We spent one afternoon on Lake Conroe on my dad's boat.  He was at work, but the rest of the family sure enjoyed some boat time!

Adler, Jordynn and Owen

Owen is back there somewhere behind the girls!

Madison and I tried our hardest to stay on while Brian tried his best to throw us off!

Micah and Owen

All my siblings with our significant others.

My siblings!!

Micah joined us in CS for Father's Day weekend and was thrilled to have an early morning fishing trip with the guys!  One of his favorite things to do is go fishing with his Pop!

Micah, Pop, and Matt

The Ranch

We took a another quick trip to our ranch recently.....it's always a blast to get out into the country and we have plans to get there more often in the fall (when it's not 100 degrees outside).  We enjoyed visiting my 97 year old Grandmother, whom I adore, especially when seeing her light up as she interacts with her great-grandchildren!

Gorgeous views from our Ranch!

Kirby gets to ride in the golf cart when we drive around.  She just can't run around like she used to.  But I think she enjoys the ride!

These cows just think they're hungry......they have more grass to eat than ever before!  The grass was over of foot tall in many places! 

 I have very fond memories swimming in this reservoir as a child with my grandparents.  I think Owen and Adler love it just as much!

Water FUN!

We have been taking advantage of the Texas heat and spending lots of time in the water!!  As much as I loved Nevada summers, I have totally missed warm pool and lake water! I've also enjoyed watching the kids master their swimming abilities.  I've had them in swim lessons for the past 2 months and was told this week that Owen is ready for swim team!  When Adler started her lessons she wouldn't even put her face in the water and now she's turned into a fish!  Between the kid's lessons and regular pool time, we've logged more hours in the pool this summer than we have during their entire little lives!

This is the indoor pool at our gym.

Owen squirting his sister with water!

Love this picture of Adler under the water!

Ella and Owen

Pool fun with Ella

Belly Flop!

I took the kids to this fun splash pad recently.....these are all over Austin and we plan to visit many of them throughout the summer! 

Drive In Movie

I finally went to my very first drive-in movie at the Blue Starlite in Austin!  We saw the Neverending Story and Owen was totally into it!  Super good time!

Wimberley

We explored the adorable little town of Wimberley recently and I think Micah's ready to move there!  It's beautiful and green with a cute downtown area.  We also visited there during their Market Days weekend and checked out the flea market.

Adler having a snack at the flea market!

Exploring the creek and catching tadpoles

Wimberley is home to the Blue Hole, which is a great natural swimming hole in the Blanco River.  The water was a bit too chilly for me.....reminded me of Tahoe. But we had a great time.

Home SWEET Home

We've been spending some extra time at home lately and I thought I'd share these cute pictures.

Owen taking a reading break

Adler swinging

We are all so excited to have lightning bugs in our yard!  We've been having fun catching them and watching them glow.

This toad lives under our driveway.  It often comes out at night to say hello.

Adler loves to have tea parties and we took it to another level recently, having a tea party in our playground fort.

Adler poured tea, water and coffee for all of her friends. So cute!!