Springtime in Texas

With inches of snow still falling last week, the kids and I decided last minute that we needed to retreat to Texas.  The weather couldn't have been better and a week of family time was good for the soul.  

We did alot of bike riding

Noah gave Langley a ride ;)

And Uncle Craig gave us a lift too

 This baby girl loved the sunshine

 Billy found a buddy

or two

 and had extra doses of patience to give an eager five year old a golf lesson

We got to surprise our newly retired Papa

and celebrated with some swimming

A trip to the Children's Museum

a couple of trips to the park

And some duck feeding

We also made a visit to great grandaddy in his lovely new home

DeeDee with her 5 grandbabies all 5 and under

 Mom and I got to have a fun lunch one afternoon.  I felt like I was on vacation.

We found the dress up bin at DeeDee's house

This girl kills me  :)

 We got to visit some very sweet friends.

Michelle (one of my very best friends since second grad) had her baby two weeks ago.  I got to surprise her one afternoon and got to snuggle sweet baby George

Is he not the prettiest baby?

I got to have lunch with Molly, one of my best friends from college and her Emma!  Kendall and Emma were fast friends.  :)

I was so excited to make it in time to celebrate my cousin Aimee's beautiful baby shower.  

(I snagged this pic from her blog of the mama to be with the hostess')

We also celebrated Aunt Lisa's birthday while we were there, I'm just kicking myself that I didn't take any pictures of that.  

It was a fun filled, action packed, extra special trip home!

In the bleak mid winter...

It may be March but it still feels like we are smack dab in the middle of winter up here.  We're try making the most of the snow, though.  

Michael and the kids built a huge (7 ft) snow fort complete with windows and even moved the chiminea in there to roast marshmallows last weekend.  I'm pretty sure this thing will still be here in June since it is all ice.  

 We've also done our share of sledding. Kendall was riding in style since she fell asleep on the way to our favorite hill.

 Pulling a precious load

 Kirby goes nuts out there, racing right next to us every time

 Had to document that I actually went down the hill a couple of times.  It's pretty speedy, I must admit.

 Me and my favorite dog. ;)  

 One afternoon while the girls were sleeping we got a little creative and put her to good use:  

And some indoor happenings:  

This little love learned how to crawl up the stairs

Not without a pretty awesome cheering squad

She has been quite proud of herself...

but she's still my baby

 Oh and this big girl potty trained while we've been cooped up inside!  Hooray. Even princesses have to take a potty break.  

Spring, we're ready for you anytime now.  :)