Road Trippin 2

On the way to do what was next on our list we literally ran right into this museum.  I think it was meant to be.  In planning this trip I had Paul in mind, hoping to give him a break from all the stress he deals with on a regular basis.  This was right up his alley.  I really enjoyed watching Paul share his love for airplanes with Audrey.  She was happy just to stand there and listen to him tell her about all of these vehicles and airplanes used in the wars.  She even got to sit in a cockpit which she thought was pretty awesome.  She pulled all the levers and pretended to fly until it was time to go.

On the flip side, it's really hard to talk to a five year old about war.  There was a section about 9/11.  I explained to her why the buildings were on fire and what had happened and the look on her face made me so sad.  Wicked men and women are no longer something we just read about in the scriptures.  They exist today too.  

I'm glad she knows that there are really good people in this world as well. People who fought and continue to fight everyday to keep us safe.  I try to talk more about them than I do the other guys. :)  

So if you're headed to Austin don't forget to take a minute to visit this place.  You're sure to be wowed by all the airplanes, cars, and tanks.  Maybe in the midst of it all, like me, you'll find even more gratitude for all the blessings you take for granted everyday.  

Road Trippin

We went road tripping this month.  We decided for the first time in our marriage we would try traveling on a holiday weekend.  We had a really good time but I don't think we'll do it again.  Holiday weekends are so busy!  

I loved Austin. I love that it is so different from where we live.  I loved the rolling green hills, the street art, the diversity of food, and the love of all things Texas.  

The worst part about our vacation was the hotel.  I tried a new one that I've never stayed in before.  Everything was booked up (holiday weekend) and the pictures for this place looked great.  We drove up in the evening and we were instantly wishing we had another option.  There was a very small lobby with coffee and nothing else, and it smelled so strongly of smoke.  The lady at the front desk was visibly frustrated because everyone that walked in the door was complaining that the hotel was falsely advertising with pictures from one of their nicer hotels.  

We decided to stay; saying to ourselves that we would only be there while we were asleep.  It could always be worse, we could be in the hotel next door.  This wasn't so bad.   

I tried to do as much research as I could online about where to go and what to do in Austin.  This place showed up and I couldn't pass it up.  The morning weather was beautiful with a light breeze.  We explored this little park, spent time with peacocks, and then we hiked for a little ways on one of their trails.  Unfortunately, we ran into fire ants.  Audrey started screaming as they were attacking her legs.  I grabbed her and ran up the hill while swatting them off both of us.  They kind of ruined my beautiful peaceful moment, but only until the fire calmed down on my legs. 

And then we were off with the sunroof down and the Austin breeze blowing in our hair.

(continued in the next post...)  

Forts and Forts Galore

This is my day right now.  Days of forts going up in this house.  I'm not sure my inner clean freak can handle it too much longer.  I take a big breath everyday when I see Audrey coming down the stairs with blankets trailing behind her.  

Just so you know, a house made out of a card board box that I'm not allowed to throw away, and a tepee isn't enough.  We have to put our creativity skills to good used.  At least she hasn't pulled the cushions off of the couch yet.  At least she has an imagination.  

So I sit here sharing her picnic and eating my plastic food because I know that tomorrow will never be like today.    

Happy Birthday to you!

 It was someone's Birthday.  I can't believe another year has gone by and I'm a Mom to a 5 year old.  Everyday I think about what a miracle she is and how blessed I am to have her.  

This year she told me all she wanted was a day with her cousin Jane.  She's a little obsessed with "Jake and the Neverland Pirates", so we had a pirate day.  She got to dress up as Izzy.  We hunted and dug for buried treasure, we put on tattoos, we saved Captain Hook from Tick Tock Croc, we watched Jake shows, and we decorated a birthday cake.  We dropped Jane off at home and we went out for some delicious wood fired pizza (that sounds really good right now).  

Later James and Jenny came over and we had cake, opened presents, sang lots of karaoke with Audrey's new microphone.  I was surprised, even James and Paul picked up the microphone and sang.

She told me it was her best birthday yet.  I think it was, and I'm so glad that I got to spend it with her. 

Happy Birthday little one!