Manual Labor First, then let's start the 4th of July celebrations!

We had big plans for the fence re-staining project so we hit up the Home Depot.

Daddy reading to Emmalyn.  We are trying to work on her colors but she's not catching on.

Our fence, all pressure washed and ready to go!

We got started early, like 7 am and it wasn't too bad when we were in the shade.

However, once we got into the sun, it was BRUTAL!  We were both sweating like crazy and quickly tiring.  

By the time we stopped, we only got one side of the yard done and it had taken hours.  This project is going to be a legit PROJECT.

While Peter and I were working on the fence, our amazing neighbors Chris and Mary Ann kidnapped the kids and treated them to a great morning.

They took them in their pajamas and made them breakfast.  They also invited Owen and Avery over as well.

 

Helping Mr. Chris make the pancakes.

 

Helping the chef

The finished pancakes

What lucky kids to get such delicious pancakes!

They ate out on the patio.

After breakfast, they worked on an art project.

Then they hopped in the pool.  We could hear them having a great time through the fence while we slaved away.  :)  (I sure appreciated their kindness in watching the kids because it allowed us to focus on the fence.)

Cooling off with some popsicles

The adorable craft they brought home.  I love it!

After naps, we headed over to our Katherine's house down the street for a 4th of July party (a couple days early).  (She's the one I've been walking with at night for a few months.)

Rockin' the shades

Maxwell enjoying the bouncy house waterslide

Being pretty adventurous (uncharacteristically)

The fire truck showed up and the kids enjoying being able to check it out inside.

I think half the neighborhood was there.

They had a food truck for everyone.  I tried the most delicious slider ever - - - it had bacon, goat cheese, and strawberry jam.  I know, sounds weird, but it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finished up with Popsicles (swimming twice and popsicles twice in one day?  lucky kids!) before we headed home to get ready for our next adventure today.

We came home and got ready to go over to Tida and Jason's.  Emmalyn was fully prepared.

We went to Tida and Jason's to celebrate their new home. 

cheese

We brought the pack n play so we could put the kids to bed on time (you can imagine how tired they were after their fun-filled day) and still stay and have a good time.

They had a friend bring this gorgeous cheese board and all the stuff on top of it.  It was such a thoughtful gift!  I am inspired to do this at some point.  They got me to try prosciutto wrapped figs - another odd sounding combination that was delicious!

Maxwell was super happy about getting to sleep in a sleeping bag.

Spring trip to Austin

Kimberly was in San Antonio for work and was able to get permission to leave for the weekend and so we met in Austin along with Britt's family.

Brittany left earlier in the day and took Emmalyn with her.  They stopped at Magnolia on the way down (this is the shop owned by the couple on Fixer Upper - a show I've never seen but is really popular).

Best buddies

Enjoying all the fun things to do at Magnolia

Maxwell, Peter, and I drove down a little later so everyone else got to have fun while we were still driving (ugh -- the traffic between here and Austin can drive you mad)

Yeah!!!  Aunt Kimi!

We got to see her when we got there late that night.  Maxwell was pretty excited.  Thanks for the camo hat, Aunt Kimi!

Perfectly hidden away

We took Aunt Kimi to Top Golf for the first time.  We all had a great time! (I did pretty good since I had just played recently with Maxwell) :)

The only challenge was keeping this almost 2 year entertained (and away from the swinging clubs and edge)

Trying to get her to nap (it didn't work)

We hit up a food truck park for lunch.  I love food truck parks - so much variety, everyone can be happy. (Well...maybe everyone except picky foodies like Joe and Brittany.)

This food truck park had a playground which the kids enjoyed.

crawling along the pipe

She finally fell asleep in the car

We then went to our traditional Austin haunt - Westcave Cellars.

I played with the kids while the others did some tastings.  It was a little chilly but still a nice day and we had fun throwing a frisbee around.

Again, the biggest challenge was keeping this girl entertained.  She read books, for 2 seconds.  She played with toys, for 2 seconds.  She ran around, for 2 seconds.  That's just the stage she's in, there's really no "entertaining" her for long periods of time.

It is nice to have her have a binky though ;)

Family pic

Love this face (and that crazy hair!)

No vines to run around this time of year, it's so barren!

Max tuckered out on the way to Michelle's. 

When we are away from home and not on our normal schedule, naps happen more frequently in the car.

Finally at Michelle's!  Joe had fun kicking the soccer ball around with the girls.

We went to dinner.  It was fun because the kids sat at a table (minus Emmalyn) and the adults got to enjoy each other.

Maxwell and Natalie reading a book

Natalie helping keep Emmalyn entertained

These two had a lot of fun playing together.  Wish we had playgrounds at our restaurants here in Dallas!

The kids table!

The adults!

On Sunday we headed to Hamilton Pool (we were going to go the previous day but the wait was super long so we bailed).  I love this place, it's such a refreshing break from the typical Texas outdoors/landscape.

I think this is the first time we've been here that the water quality was good enough that swimming was allowed.  I couldn't believe the crazy boys that got in - - it IS March...brrrrrr!

Skipping rocks

All three of Britt's boys got in!

It's hard to see but if you look at the far end of the pool by the waterfall you will see Joe.  The crazy guy decided to swim across the pool!  (He said later it was super cold and he was a little freaked out too.  I was worried he'd cramp up and then Peter would have to get in and go save him from drowning.)

Joe on the other side resting from his swim (and preparing to swim back)

She skipped rocks too but her balance isn't quite good enough yet so we held onto her so she wouldn't fall in.

Three sisters

Hiking back up.  Emmalyn did a great job.

Maxwell led the way.

group shot

After that, we headed home because we had a photo shoot to get to.  Brittany and her family stayed a little longer and had lunch with Kimberly.  It was a really fun visit and I enjoyed getting to spend time together with family!