Happy Holidays!  Enjoy a few songs from Stella's Christmas performance at her pre-school, Abiding Love Lutheran Child Care Center.  Christmas is such a fun time in Austin.We have already filled the season with Lumenarias at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Nutcracker, The Zilker Christmas Tree, driving around and looking at lights, and The Chuy's Children giving to Children Christmas parade. We are excited to still pack more fun in over the last few days before Christmas, and then there is Christmas break!

More Spring Break Fun

Not only did we spend Spring Break in Port Aransas, but we also went to the Star of Texas Rodeo in Austin.  It was super fun and we will definitely return.  Here are a few pictures of the girls enjoying the rodeo. I forgot to take a picture of the new goldfish that I won at the ball toss.  He is quite happy in his new tank.

Riding the planes

 Phoebe being camera shy

Stella went so fast she turned over

Phoebe missed her nap so she used her pacifier sitting up

All aboard!

Phoebe adored the baby petting zoo

18 months old and already in pigtails!

 You looking at me?

Port Aransas Spring Break 2012

It was a bit cold and rainy start to our Spring Break vacation at our beloved Port Aransas

 But the girls sure didn't seem to mind

Phoebe was delighted by the ocean air, the sand and the sound of the waves

By the first afternoon, it started to warm up a bit, although Stella still preferred to wear her fleece on the beach. She is a native Texan after all, and when the temp dips below 70, we sort of freak out.

Phoebe didn't want to be held for a picture

But Stella finally cooperates...that didn't take but 4 years!

 Phoebe had no fear of the water and was in constant motion filling her bucket, dumping her bucket, and filling it up again.

Stella getting a natural exfoliating scrub

Brrr...after getting out of the ocean it did get cold...

Shivering sisters...

Phoebe and Brian looking at the dolphins in the ship channel

Phoebe at the Texas State Aquarium

Stella getting ready to check out the Splash Pad at the Aquarium

What a great end to the Aquarium visit!  Get tired out before a 3.5 hour car ride!

Mommy and her girls

Our aquarium adventure was coming to an end.

Stella was delighted to meet this friendly dolphin.

Kite Festival

Ohhhh yes, Spring has sprung in the ATX and there is just WAY too much to do outside.  Every March and April we fall hard in love again with Austin.  The Kite Festival, Garden shows, Explore UT, SXSW, Capital 10,000, Austin Rodeo, the Farmer's Market, etc. etc.  The weather is divine and life is fine in Austin. And just when you think the relationship couldn't get any better and that it is a match made in heaven, June hits.   Then Austin isn't quite so lovely anymore.  But alas, we are still in the honeymoon phase again so lets remember the good times.  Here are some photos of this past weekend when we hit the Texas Independence Day Parade, the Farmer's Market and the Kite Festival.  Also included are my adventures in babysitting.  My first subject was Jamison, my friend Laura's son.  Laura just moved in to a lovey house on the street right behind us.  Hooray for friends who are now neighbors!

Sisters on a random Saturday

 Saturday morning, matching pj's at the breakfast table

 Phoebe eating cereal and berries on a plate (?)

 Stella and Phoebe sharing the news

 A visit to the Dino Pit at the Austin Nature and Science Center

 Phoebe checking out the excavation across the pit

 Sister archeologists working together to unearth the dino bones

 Phoebe checking out the competition

Sleeping hard after a day filled with such meaningful and productive work