Austin and Houston

In August, we drove to Texas for a week (8 days, actually).

Our first stop was Austin.  While A napped, I took the others to the Thinkery.

They had a cool, outdoor climbing area.

There was a lot of fun indoor stuff as well.

 It was fun to have a week with Jim not working!

We brought our bikes and rented a trailer for the girls.

We had great views along the bike path!

We went to Congress Avenue Bridge one evening to see the bats.

About 1.5 million bats fly out from under the bridge each night.

Hanging with Willie:

The kids enjoyed a fun toy shop.

Maggie tried on some cowgirl clothes:

Jim took a tour of Austin City Limits and got to hang out on Willie's balcony.

We found a BMX park and Jim took Jack and Patrick to ride there.

We also found a park with a fun playground.

 We rode the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train!

We went swimming at Barton Springs pool.  It is spring-fed and the water is 68-70 degrees.  Brisk.  You can see Maggie walking down the ramp into the cold water below.  Jim and Jack went off the diving board!

 After Austin, we went to Houston for a few nights.  We enjoyed both the Health Museum and the Children's Museum.

There was a lot for the kids to explore.

We stayed with Jim's aunt and had fun in her awesome pool!

My brother's family drove down from Wisconsin.  They came over and swam one day.

Jim's uncle Ed:

On Saturday night, I met my parents to go to my cousin's wedding.

My brother picked me up in this cool Tesla.

Hanging with 2 of my sisters-in-law before the wedding (we miss Melanie)!

It was a beautiful ceremony.

There was lots of fun and dancing at the reception!

I managed not to get arrested by either of the officers at the reception.

July 2018

Our July started out a little rough.  On the 4th of July we took a little family bike ride.  Maggie ended up going a little too fast down and hill and couldn't stop herself.  She busted her chin pretty good.  Our neighbor who is a pediatrician glued it.

The very next day, this happened to Charlie's finger and we ended up at urgent care.

The month got better after that. We explored a new exhibit at the Science Center.

None of these guys got arrested.

But they all got to sit in a police car.

Maggie hanging with her Godmother before she left for college.

Some friends came to visit and we had frozen custard from our favorite place.

We enjoyed an evening swim with friends.

The diving board was fun for Charlie...

 ...and Maggie!

I had a mini reunion with the girls I ran with in June.

 The kids had fun with friends at VBS.

These three participated in the conference meet for swim team.

Jack left for a week-long Boy Scout camp in mid-July. We went out for donuts to bid him farewell.

Maggie is holding one of the huge zucchinis found in our garden.

We got to swim at a friend's pool.

We met up with friends at a local playground with a splash pad.

In mid-July we were placed with our first foster child, A. 

Lots of time was spent outdoors.

My cookie-making helpers:

We took A on a hike at one of our favorite places.

Patrick's hair was crazy after the hike.

We love ice cream!

A morning walk in the neighborhood with my fashionista:

Maggie and A dressed as Darth Vader:

Some friends came into town and we went to Grant's Farm. 

We had fun playing with glow sticks one evening.