Anne Michal's 16th birthday -- Post I

  Anne Michal turned 16 on the 16th of July. I wanted to take her on a fun little trip just the two of us so we headed to Austin to spend a night and a couple of days. On the agenda was to stand-up kayak, eat at food trucks, hit the capitol and Presidential library, maybe see campus, and take some pictures with murals.

Our first stop was Round Rock Donuts wehre we bought a couple small donuts...a blueberry cake for me and an apple fritter for her....and one of their giant donuts. The glaze really is orangish in color. It was pretty good though I think we only ate about an 1/8 of it!

 Our next stop was Barton Springs in Zilcher Park where we rented Kayaks and headed out onto Towne Lake. She definitely was better at it than I was but I managed to stay on my feet until we came in to "land" and I hit a rock and fell backward into the water!!! It was way too hot and I needed a cooling off anyway!!!

  Our next stop was to head to a taco food truck that was recommended by a friend. If I had blogged about this when I should have, put the name in the picture, or bothered to look it up I could tell you the name! It was kind of late for lunch and they were out of our first choice so we both got breakfast tacos, split and order of garlic fries, and mexican cokes. It was very good!

 Random photo of horse in the middle of Austin.

 This cracked me up for some reason!

 

Anne Michal in front of the capitol. Thanks to a high school friend (I grew up in KY) whose wife is the museum curator there, we got a great tour. We really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit. The air conditioning was nice too. ;-)

 

 Looking up into the rotunda.  Portraits of the former governors grace the walls.

 Looking down on the Texas Seal.

 Leaving the capitol and looking into the city.

 Trailer park where we ate our second day's lunch. Neither of us could remember the name of the place but we had the best tacos ever. If we go back, we will find it again! We also bought fried oreos from a neighboring trailer called "Fried and True." They were surprisingly good!

 The best taco ever. We still occasionally say, "I'd love one of those tacos!"

 The guy that stole Anne Michal's sprite that she had set down so I could take her picture.

 Looking out from the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library.

We took so many pictures of murals those will have to be a separate post. We had such a good time; she is such good company and a joy to be around. I am very thankful we had this time together!

When Dad is awy, Mom will play.

Stay tuned...

A Little Pattern Testing Photo Shoot

 I had the opportunity to test a pattern for Annaliese at The Aesthetic Nest.

 The pattern is called the Bateau Neck Top. The first version has a box pleat and faced neck. The second version is a basic boatneck tee. I really like how both turned out. The shorts she has on are from a pattern she already has for sale called the Flutter Top/Dress and Bloomers. They are my favorite shorts! You can buy the pattern here.

 

Little Miss Daredevil Gets Acquainted with Grandma's Tree

   They just don't make trees like this in Texas, people.

 Climbing a tree is a right of passage for a kid.

I climbed a tree like this one almost every day for 2 years.

 I bet she thinks she can reach the clouds.

 

And to 'wing in a tree. That might be the best of all.

The Joy of a Sunday

  This past Sunday wasn't one of those stellar Sundays in the child behavior department though I wonder if the people that sit behind us ever think we have a stellar Sunday in that regard! We had to go out way too many times. Add in the things like Janey Kate grabbing my finger and trying to stick it up her nose leaving me shaking my head but trying not to laugh! But as always, it is a joy. Let me explain.
   Every day, all week long, she follows me around. She wants to be where I am and doing what I am doing. She is naturally curious and always learning by observing, repeating, and trying things out. She questions all I do wanting to know why I am doing what I am doing, what I am doing next, where I am going, and can she go to. She wants to help and participate. If I am in the kitchen, she is right there with her stool. If I am on my phone, she wants to talk too. If I go to the store, she wants to push the cart and pick out food. She loves to wear my shoes both literally and figuratively!
   Sunday is the best day. It is the day I have the best to offer.  On Sunday, we go to worship the King and I don't have to---but I get to.  I get to help her learn to worship.  I get to let her be a part of a family that worships together. Just like the rest of the week, she is watching, learning, and imitating. Just like the rest of the week, there is work involved.  It doesn't all miraculously fall into place just because we are in church.  But maybe best of all, is that while it may seem like I am offering a lot of do's and don'ts (do be quiet, don't go out in the aisle,do sit down, don't jump on the pew), I am really saying a lot of yes's. There are no distractions and yes, she can participate. Yes, I am not too busy for you to be right on my lap. Yes, you can sing with me right now. Yes, we get to pray now. Yes, we get to listen to Pastor Wade or Daddy. I get to share all of it with her without reservation.
    Sundays are when she gets the best part. She gets the best part of me--relaxed, focused, and without the distractions of daily life. She gets the best part of our family as she learns to be a part of a family that worships the King. She gets the best part of the week spending part of her day with a body of believers. This, all of this and much more, is the joy of a Sunday.

Fishing and Shooting

 That has been a big part of the last couple of days.

 These girls are tireless when it comes to shooting. They shot at targets, clay pigeons, and golf balls.

 Loading her gun.

 That is loud!
















 His target. This was his second time shooting.





 Her golfball...

Jack, Liz, Creed and I built a lean-to.

 Who needs toys when you have the woods. I wish I had gotten a picture of Creed letting a Granddaddy long-leg crawl all over him. Nothing creeps that kid out.

 The campsite where Jack and PopPop are camping tonight.

 The string of fish. Anne Michal and Creed caught the big one, an 18-in catfish.

 More fishing...