Pools

I am trying to get all my Texas posts out of the way in my free time, that is why I am popping them out so quickly. I hate feeling behind on blogging. Plus life is going to get a little crazy in the next couple weeks with school starting and all. 

We hung out by water a lot of the time that we were here. Steve and Melissa have a pool in their neighborhood and we went there a couple times. 

Then we went to a water park in Round Rock, where Nate's dad lives. It was super fun.

Tanner is quite confident in the water now, which is great because he has always been so scared. We always left the pool with a red-eyed Tanner cuz he spent so much time under the water.

Nate was the only one who went down the slide because kids had to be "nipple height". Thought that was funny. 

Ashlyn was getting really crabby. She fell asleep for half the time we were there. It was a bummer because someone always had to be sitting out with her while she napped.

 Nate and Dallin enjoyed the lazy river. Nate would spin around and when they were going under some water Dallin somehow got knocked off and freaked out. He doesn't like his face under the water.

Austin Capital Building

We stopped by the capital building on our way to Barton Springs Pool. I didn't take my camera to the pool; too scared of it getting stolen or wet. Really neat place though. It's a natural spring, so it is cool water and has little fishes and slimy bottom. Tanner was a bit grossed out by it, but loved trying to catch fish with a bucket. 

We went with Nate's dad and cousins, Steve & Melissa and their kids. My boys are just loving having other kids constantly around.

The kids couldn't resist rolling down the hills by the capital building.

 James and Madeline on a canon outside the capital.

 From the outside.

 My favorite part of the building was probably the staircases.

 Longhorn fans.

San Antonio Zoo

It was sort of a bad day to go to the zoo since it was about 105 degrees, but we did it anyway. There were a couple air conditioned buildings we cooled down in. 

 Ashlyn looked the most miserable, so I wet down her hat to keep her head cool.

Grandpa Spence has come with us almost everywhere. It has been nice. He is so patient with us.

 He has been trying to corrupt my kids though, and give them goodies. . .like cotton candy. That is what grandparents are for though right?

 This is Dallin's I-don't-want-to-obey-but-I-will face. It is usually accompanied by a big frustrated sigh.

 There was also a train ride to go on around a nearby park. They loved that.

 Nate navigating through the zoo.

 

Last of Waco

We visited Nate's mom, Holly. That was neat. I never knew her, but I feel close to her. I know I would have loved her.

Dallin adored these baby kitties at Uncle Larry's house.

Larry and his son Dustin are musicians and Tanner enjoyed playing their drums. He seems like a natural.

Driving

We have been spending some time in the car while in Texas. We started out in Waco and now we are in Kyle and site seeing in Austin and San Antonio. So here are some car shots.

 Unsafe driving. Nate looking up something on the internet while driving and, Steve driving with no hands and on his cell phone. On the freeway! Luckily we were going like 20 mph in Austin traffic. :)

 Me trying to make grumpy Ashlyn smile.

One thing I notice about Texas is how proud they are of being Texas, and being big. Texas flags everywhere; big ones. I barely know what the Oregon flag looks like. 

Spray park in Waco

 Ashlyn was loving it! It was fairly warm water; she doesn't like cold.

 Dallin was getting possessive of the button.
Dustin, Nate's cousin, and Bobbie, his grandma, came along.

 Tanner spitting at me.

Waco, TX

Our first day in Texas was spent in Waco at Nate's uncle Larry's house. He has lots of beautiful land and took the boys on rides.

 It was pretty warm even in the evening. You can tell by how pink Ashlyn's face was.

She loved having Nate blow on her.

 

Grand Bobbie and Ashlyn. This is her great grandma.

 Dallin watching the cows.

More to come. We went to a spray park this evening.

A beautiful heirloom

Ashyln's great grandma, Bobbie, had this jacket and hat when she was a baby, and she is passing it around between granddaughters to get pictures taken in it. 
It is adorable, I wish I had one to keep.

Campbells family pictures

I took my friend Jenny's family pictures this week. There is a part of town that has lots of old brick buildings. I hope to take may more pictures in "Old Town" while we are here.

Aren't these girls adorable?

 Emma was obsessed with the trains that were behind me. If you see her gazing off into the distance, it is the trains she was looking at.

 Abby

Exploring

I have been on the look out for new spots to take pictures and found this place when my friend and I went for a jog last weekend. I am taking a friend's pictures tomorrow, and wanted to see how the lighting was this evening. These are just goofy pictures.

 Ok, maybe I shouldn't post this one, but it is too funny. Why do boys always feel the urge to pee when they are outdoors? And why do little boys think they have to drop their pants all the way around their ankles to get it done?

 Love Ashlyn's smirk.