Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

Skatepark Trip

We recently headed down to the Houston area to visit relatives for a weekend. We had thrown around some ideas for places we’d like to checkout but there were no set plans. Normally, not having some type of schedule kind of freaks me out. But, I’ve learned that when it comes to having a day out with the kids, things constantly change. So, it’s better to just ride it out. That Saturday morning was no different. As we drank our coffee we threw around some ideas of what we wanted to do and get accomplished. It was decided that we’d all go grab some breakfast, and then do a little shopping before anything else. Then once that was wrapped up we’d make a trip to a nearby skatepark. 

Now, I'm not sure if I’ve ever talked about it on here before but I’m a firm believer that alternative sports are just as important as regular sports. I’ve tried to encourage my daughter to try different things, and I’ve never said that it has to be a team sport. Back when she was about seven I actually brought up skateboarding but she totally shut me down. So, imagine my surprise this summer when she asked if she could have a skateboard. Not wanting to spend a huge amount of money for something that I wasn’t sure she'd stick with, we made her deal. We’d get her a beginner board, and if she stuck with it for at least a year then we’d get her a skateboard of her choosing. With her previous lack of interest, I honestly thought that this was just something she’d do occasionally. Or the minute she took a hard fall she’d call it. But as soon as we had her board assembled she was outside under the carport practicing. It's been four months now and she still hasn't lost interest.

Well, it wasn’t long after she started that the other kids decided to take up skateboarding as well. So, I figured this would be a great place for them to get in some practice. Our local skatepark is tiny and really run down so they don’t have a lot of options. As we made our way to breakfast that morning it was mentioned that this park was the largest in Texas. Y’all, they weren’t lying. It’s actually the “largest free skate park in the nation”. If you look at the planning firm's website it states that the park features, "a Texas-shaped bowl with a 20-foot full pipe, a 12’ foot vertical ramp, a 10-foot-deep bowl, and a “snake run” pathway." But you don’t really get the whole picture unless you can see it from above. As we entered through the gates I could hear the kid’s “oohs” and “ahhs”. Their comments were pretty entertaining as they took in all of the other kids, and watched the advanced skaters drop in on the larger bowls. After the awe faded a bit they put on their helmets and off they went! 

I’m happy to report that the kids had a blast! Even the big kids too. We spent just under two hours there and it was actually fun for us non-skaters too. I was able to walk around and watch the more advanced skaters which was pretty cool. The kids were able to learn a few new tricks and even made some friends in the process. There were a few falls but nothing major. And it was so great to see these kids helping each other out. Whether it was switching boards to try a different one, or giving encouragement when they were trying something new. It was a pretty awesome thing to witness. As we finished up the session it still took us a good thirty minutes to get the kids ready to leave. We even resorted to bribes and promises of returning again the next time we came to visit. 

I highly *recommend giving the North Houston Skatepark a visit if you ever find yourself in that area. Even if it’s just to watch the talented skaters. Did I mention that it’s free? Also, if you’re in need of some gear like we were -the kids needed helmets- then stop by Geometrics Skate shop. They’re located right across the street from the park. And the guys there were super helpful and really nice. 

  

*I wasn’t compensated for any of this. We just really had a great time so I thought I’d share. Plus, it’s a way to get the family out for a little while. And I know with all of the financial issues going on right now, free is always nice.

A Mini Hiking Trip with the Girls

This school year I started implementing a reward system for Emery when it comes to her grades. The first six weeks she made the A-Honor Roll so she chose the option that involved a sleepover with two friends followed by breakfast at a place of her choosing. There’s never really any pressure because, for the most part, I let her know that I just want her to try her best. That’s what’s important to me. However, our little system has given her a bit of an incentive to ask for help when she’s struggling with a certain subject or problem. Because she really wants to earn that prize at the end. So, at the beginning of each six weeks, she and I come up with two new reward options which give her a goal to work towards. At the end of the six weeks, when I get her report card, there are two rewards she can pick from to “cash-in” based on those grades.

For the second six weeks, she made the A-B Honor Roll. She came really close to all A’s with one 89. So, her choices were to either go see a movie or go hiking with two friends. And well, my daughter loves the outdoors. So, we headed out to a local state park. Thankfully, we had some pretty amazing weather. The girls had a blast hiking some familiar trails and crossing the river barefoot. Multiple times. They spent the afternoon talking about the fish, and what it must have been like for people years ago that lived in those areas. They laughed and talked about school. What subjects they liked, and what they didn't. As they sat on a rock Emery said, "You know, we all have friends at our schools. But I hope we stay each other's best friends forever." There were a few instances when they all walked ahead and asked Emery how she was feeling about her dad. And of course, she looked back in hesitation but I nodded letting her know it was okay to tell them. They spoke about it briefly before heading over to more rocks. Hugs all around. And just seeing that made me happy. It's nice to know that these girls all care about each other. That Emery has two friends that listen to her when she's sad or happy. That they get to come along on our adventures and share stories. But most importantly, I'm grateful that Emery has all of this. That she has an abundance of family and friends who love her. 

As we left for the day I thought that this should happen more often for her. I want her to continue to enjoy exploring the outdoors. I want to give her and her friends the opportunity to go outside, share secrets, and spend time with one another. As often as possible. So, it looks like this may turn into a tradition. Grades or not, I want to give her as many more of these moments as I can. 

Trail Runs - Proctor Lake

About two Saturdays ago my brother came down for a visit. The night before I was informed that we’d be getting up early in order to hit some trails in the tiny town I grew up in nearby. By a lake. And as much as I wish I could be one of those women that loves to spend her time by a huge hole in the ground that smells like stinky fish I’m just not. Still, I was promised that it would be a challenge and that there would be some decent views. I was also told that my sister-in-law would be joining us. She didn’t-- that’s right Kim, I’m looking at you. So, with my kid jumping up and down at the idea of going on a trail run with her tio I agreed. The sacrifices we make, am I right? We ended up inviting my other sister-in-law, and made a plan to get up around 6:30 the next day. As we all got up with the sun we layered up on bug spray and sunscreen. My brother arrived shortly after, and we made the 15 minute drive over.

Mind you, I hadn’t had any coffee at this point. I was a little doubtful about these “views” I was promised, and a little skeptical about the trail in general. I had lived in this town my whole life, and I’d pretty much seen it all. I could not have possibly missed something this great, right? Well, as we turned down the highway by the lake I realized we were passing by the more “popular” locations. And when we finally parked it was over by a closed off section called High Point Park which has been closed off to vehicles for years. Now, a little history for you: Our tiny little town had a bunch of idiots that liked to cause trouble and be violent towards others. High Point was the location that they all gathered at in order to participate in such mischief as drug deals, fights, and/or stabbings. This is why we can’t have nice things. So, in order to put a stop to it, the gates came down permanently. Now, several years later, as we got out of the vehicle we could still see the paved loop but everything else was overgrown. And that’s about the time that I looked over at my brother and asked “We’re supposed to go running...in THAT?”

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the answer was yes. I’m pretty sure my eyes bugged out a bit. You see, I hate snakes. I mean, I really really hate snakes. And do you know what comes out mid-morning in tall overgrown grass? That’s right, SNAKES. I was vocal about my concerns, but my brother told me to quit being a baby. This sentiment was echoed by my eight year old, and so I finally agreed to suck it up. Since they were the fearless ones they took the lead, and my sister-in-law and I brought up the end. The paved section ended at about .25 of a mile and then it was all grass, and sand. Spider webs, and thorns. And yes, even a snake. Though it was a baby, but you better believe I jumped. I kept looking down, and anytime the grass got taller than me I would sprint; eyes closed. Because I just hate the feeling I get when I'm not being able to see what’s around me, or hiding in the grass right next to me. However, as we got to the one mile point I started to relax a bit. I looked up, and around. My sister-in-law and I walked for a few minutes, and every once in awhile the little and my brother would have us stop to look out at the view.

And you know what? He was right. We found ourselves in a section that’s hardly ever touched by anyone else other than the occasional runner, or hiker. It was quite, and peaceful. It didn’t smell like stinky fish, and there were some section that caused me to really push myself to make it through. And we didn’t even finish the whole thing! At mile two and a half we decided to turn around in order to make it back home in time for breakfast. But most importantly coffee. We talked as we ran/walked our way back. Cracking jokes, and talking about certain movements going on in the world today. We stopped along the way to look at bones, bugs and interesting looking rocks to take back to tia. We actually had a lot of fun, learned a few things, and it was like discovering this tiny hidden treasure right in our own backyard. Now, will I ever attempt this run on my own? Probably not. But if you're ever in the area...

Caddo Lake State Park

On May 18th Emery, and I headed up to Mount Pleasant for a girl’s weekend. The following day we would all head out for a day of hiking at Caddo Lake State Park in order to celebrate my nephew turning one soon. Yes, while most people celebrate with cake and a party we decided to get out in 90-degree weather for a hike instead. Originally, my brother had wanted to summit Guadalupe Peak since our last trip didn’t allow for it. But seeing as how he wasn’t here we had to improvise. So, the following morning we all got ready to make the hour and a half drive to Caddo Lake. 

Now, in order to not make this one long ass post let me just give you the rundown. This park is open daily, and the cost to get in is $4 per person. Kids 12 years and under are free. Likewise, if you have a military pass-- which we did thanks to my brother. Now, if you’re an avid hiker that likes to have various trails available to you this park doesn’t really offer that. Caddo Lake is mainly for camping, fishing, paddling, and offers cabin rentals. They're available for small groups as well as for larger events such as reunions. I believe, based on the maps, that Caddo has a bit less than 3 miles of hiking trails available. However, I felt like this was perfect for a day trip. It allowed us to explore the majority of the trails, and still have enough time to rent a canoe in order to explore the Saw Mill Pond which I highly recommend. The canoe rental was, I believe $10/hour, and seated three to each canoe. The life vests were available there at no extra charge too. We took turns paddling out, and honestly that isn’t a bad price. We were all able to take a turn around the pond. Also, fair warning, this park does have alligators. My sister-in-law had previously told us about them, but also assured us that we wouldn’t encounter one. So, we didn’t see any on our visit, which Emery was totally disappointed about. I, on the other hand, was totally okay with it. They do have designated swimming areas for us humans, which we didn’t see on our side, but always make sure to ask at the office or check the website for warnings.

On the day that we went it was hot out. And humid as hell. However, the trees are so tall that they blocked a lot of the sun while we were hiking. It felt about 5 degrees cooler than what it was which turned out to be really nice. There were certain areas where a breeze would come through and help cool us down which was much appreciated by all of us. Just don’t count on having that happen a lot. And since the trails are pretty short I didn’t see any water stations along any of the routes so make sure that you bring your own water. Bring your own snacks if your peck-ish too. Also, there are three restroom areas but definitely go potty before you head out as the location of these bathrooms are on complete opposite ends of the park. Other than that, it’s pretty easy to navigate your way around. And the views were pretty great as well. I definitely recommend Caddo Lake for those of you with families that just want to get out for a day trip, or overnight camping. Or if you just want to spend some time outdoors with some friends for the day. This place is also pretty perfect for those that are new to hiking too. Like me! The trails offer just enough challenge to make you feel like you're really getting in a work out. 

Overall, I really enjoyed our visit. Emery had a blast running on the trails, and she was able to help paddle the canoe which she enjoyed. There weren’t a lot of people out when we were there, but in a more secluded camping area we were able to see a lot of tents set up so we know there were quite a few others out there. It was very peaceful, and quiet for the most part too. Now, the pond does lead out to the actual lake, and according to the park website it has over 50 miles of paddling trails. However, I can’t tell you much about that because we didn’t attempt it. There were too many other boats on the water in that area, and with it having a steadier current we weren’t sure how we’d manage with the kids. We all had a great time though! By the end of the day we were ready to head back home for some dinner. Our plans of late night movies, and junk food quickly turned into showers followed by bedtime. The kiddos were both tuckered out, and so were the adults which made it pretty easy to just call it a day. Now, we can’t wait for my brother to come home in order to go out there again. Next time around  if we have more time, and more people we just might venture out a bit further out.

Mount Pleasant - Day Two & Three

Our second day in Mount Pleasant was a short one. We all woke up a little on the late side and had pan dulce with coffee for first breakfast. Then we slowly, but surely, got ready for the day. We packed up our bags and started discussing our food options before having to start our drive back home. My dad and brother went downstairs to make some final adjustments to one of the trucks they had been working on the day before while we all debated where we’d be headed for second breakfast. The toss up was between IHOP, and a local family restaurant. And let me just say that it was a bit of an ordeal when it came to deciding. I made two circles before we finally ended up at Herschel’s Restaurant.

After having a little freak out moment, sorry Kim, we all made our way inside. And it was a cute little restaurant that had a diner feel to it. We ordered off of  the breakfast menu and I totally recommend the Royal Breakfast. This bad boy comes with two‎ extra-large eggs, short stack pancakes, a sausage patty, two slices of bacon, and breakfast potatoes. And you can bet your sweet cheeks that I ate ALL OF IT. Well, minus the bacon because my daughter asked if she could have my slices. OH! And definitely ask for them to throw in some chocolate chips for your pancakes if you ever visit one of their locations. It’s the bees knees! And the next time we go out there I definitely want to try out their lunch menu. Because the burgers that were rolling out as I stuffed my face with pancakes looked pretty mouthwatering. Once we finished up with our food we made our way back to the apartment in order to load up our bags, say our goodbyes, and head back home.

Fast forward two weekends later, and we managed to squeeze one more trip in. And on this one we actually ate more and were able to visit a few other locations. As usual, when we all woke up that Saturday morning coffee was first. Once everyone was ready we made our way downtown to a local pizza tavern. Now, originally, I thought this was going to be regular pizza joint like the one we ate at in Sulphur Springs. This was so not the case. Nardello’s Pizza Tavern is on the fancy side, y’all. The pizza is gourmet, the dinnerware looked pretty expensive, and the prices were on the higher side. Now normally, when I order a single large pizza I’m expecting it to feed three of us in the price range of $10 (Little Cesar’s) to $15 (Pizza Hut). If you’re on my same level then just know that Nardello’s isn’t going to do that for you. There were seven of us so I get that we were a decent size group. And man can we put it away so you’d expect us to have to pay a good bit for some grub. I get it. However, at this place we had two pizzas (medium size option only), a kid’s personal, and one small appetizer plus drinks. The total bill came out to $100. I their defense I will say that the pizza was pretty yummy. They make it in a brick stove right in front of everyone, and the ingredients seemed very fresh. However, if you’re on a budget, or you’re expecting some pizza and wings action this is not the place. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I was still hungry after we left.

This is where we parted ways with the boys. They went back to the apartment to work on a vehicle while we hit up the local thrift store. They had a decent size selection of clothes, home goods, and furniture. Keep in mind that this is a second-hand store though, and sometimes that’s where you find some of the coolest stuff. And the lady who was working there was really sweet! Once we were done looking around my sister-in-law asked if I was ready for coffee. I mean, is that even a serious question? She didn't have to tell me twice. We left my mother at the thrift store to happily continue browsing while we walked across the square to a coffee shop. And I’m just going to go ahead and say that this was the highlight of all the places we went to that day. Jo’s Coffee Shop is pretty much perfection. The layout is exactly what I always pictured one day running myself. Though, in m shop, I’d have a bookstore/lounge area on the second level. Still, this place was fantastic! They offer coffee, lattes, drip coffee, non-coffee options, and some food. You have plenty of places to sit, a few couches thrown in, and a little stage for when they have musical guests playing. Then the back door opens up into a large deck with tables in case you want to be outdoors while enjoying your coffee. Or non-coffee. I opted for the “Daydreamer” latte which had lavender in it, and oh my sweetness. Y’all I fell in love with that coffee. They next time we go to MT. Pleasant you better believe I’m getting myself as much of that coffee as I can consume. I don’t care how many trips I have to make! Take all my money, Jo! JUST. TAKE. IT. So, if you couldn’t tell by now, Jo’s was a hit for me. The barista was really nice, and the other customers were really friendly. Side effect of drinking coffee, obviously. And you’re looking at Starbucks pricing for coffee that was waaay better. So, if you’re ever in the area just do yourself a favor and stop in. You won’t be disappointed.

And this is when we started to see the rain headed towards us. We made our way back just in time for me to squeeze in a nap during yet another thunderstorm. I find that this is the best time to sleep, read, or binge on Netflix. And since I still had to drive back home that afternoon I decided to get some sleep before it was time to go. When I woke up an hour later we had more coffee. Are you sensing a theme yet? The majority of our group were watching TV and discussing politics in the living room. Once the rest of the sleepy heads got up we all loaded up our cars, and then headed out for dinner. The burger joint we had originally decided on was closed so we quickly made our way across the street to Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant. It was pouring outside so we were the only ones there. It smelled like Fabuloso, carne asada, and tortillas. A slightly odd combination when you write it out, but this is seriously the only way you can tell if your in a REAL Mexican restaurant. And maybe it's because we grew up with it, but that smell always makes me feel at home. With Spanish music playing in the background we all talked, shared food, and laughed. This would be the last time we’d ALL be together for a while, and you could sense it. None of us really wanting to rush with eating or leaving the restaurant. But after an hour it was time for us to say “See you later” and hit the road. And that was the end of our adventure that weekend.

Mount Pleasant - Day One

In April we found ourselves getting to spend two(ish) weekends in Mount Pleasant with my family. We live several hours apart (that’s how we measure distance in Texas), and with a few changes that we’d all been undergoing – as well as my aunt’s recent passing- we decided it was time to spend a few days together. So, we packed some clothes along with a few essentials and made our way over. Now, before I get too into this, let me just say that both of our visits were rainy. Because it wouldn't be Texas without some freak storm passing through while we were in town. So, while Spring was just dusting off its boots for us here where we live, it was the beginning of tornado season for them in Mount Pleasant. But we made the most of it.

Before we had decided on this venture I had been playing around with the idea of committing to a strict diet, and exercise routine. Sadly, or not so sadly depending on how you look at it, as soon as cheesecake was mentioned in my presence that idea was shoved way back into a tiny corner of my mind. Which brings me to the first place we went to eat while there: Laura’s Cheesecake & Cafe. This is a fairly new little café right off of their main square. It had been raining, and the lighting gave this place a really warm and cozy feeling. We had arrived a little too late to order breakfast so we grabbed some items off of their regular menu. I had a “*Chicken Fajita Wrap” with a slice of triple chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Then there was the whole “build your own sandwich” option which I may or may not have indulged in as well. And let me just say that whoever was back in that kitchen: YOU. ARE. AMAZING. And whoever makes the cheesecakes: CAN I TAKE YOU HOME SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE ME CHEESECAKES TO MY HEART’S CONTENT? PLEASE?! Overall, this place was really nice. I think the pricing was decent considering where we were at. The décor was on point, the staff was friendly, and the food was great! We walked out with full bellies. And by the time we made it back to the apartment I seriously considered taking a nap. Laura’s will definitely be a place that we go back to on our next visit.

HOWEVER, I had already made plans. You see, on our drive up to Mount Pleasant the night before I saw a sign on the interstate that read “SULPHER SPRINGS NEXT THREE EXITS”. And I kept thinking, “Hmm. Where do I know that town from?” I didn't give it much thought after we passed the sign as I was focused on my coffee and making sure not to piss off any of the eighteen-wheeler drivers I was sharing the road with. It wasn't until we were getting off on our exit about twenty miles down the road when it hit me: COLLEEN! THAT’S WHERE COLLEEN LIVES!! As soon as I got over my fangirl moment I was hit with another round of excitement. Because as we pulled up to the apartment I realized that The Bookworm Box Bookstore was only twenty-five minutes away from me. If I went the speed limit, and that was a big IF by this point. As I threw my car into park and grabbed our bags I knew that there was NO WAY I was going to miss out on making a trip to this bookstore when it was so close. Now why is this place so important you ask? Well, Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite authors.  “It Ends With Us” is really important to me as it literally changed my life. Or at the very least, allowed me to be okay with the changes that needed to be made in my life at that time. Now, a few years ago she started The Bookworm Box which was a way for her to give back. Then a physical store was opened. And ever since I found out about it I have always wanted to go. However, for one reason or another, I never got the chance. Until THAT day. So, as I have shuffled half rolled my ass into my car I asked my sister-in-law if she would like to join me. Once she agreed we loaded up the kiddoes, put on some 90’s tunes, and made the drive over.

Now, Sulpher Springs --what we saw of it-- looked really cute. We drove around their main street and were able to see several little shops and restaurants. Some we made mental notes to look into for the next trip. Because there will be a "next trip". But this visit was a specific one. And as we walked up the little sidewalk I knew that this was going to be one pretty great day for me! I felt so giddy, as the store sign came into view, and I almost ran through the front door. As we entered we were met by a nice open seating area followed by rows of books. It felt amazing! It felt like I was a kid in a candy store. Unfortunately, Colleen wasn't actually there. Though I didn't expect her to be since I do keep up with her Instagram posts. But y'all, just being in that bookstore. Filled with so many books signed by their authors. Getting to meet her mom and aunt. Knowing that Colleen has walked through those same doors, I mean, I did my best to play it cool. But inside I was squealing like a little pig, I kid you not. Then as my heart finally started to settle back into a normal pace I was picking up my first book, just about to reach my happy place, when I heard: "MOM! This is soo cool! What BOOKS can I get?" And I practically heard my mental breaks screech to a halt. Because as much as I wanted to grab up ALL of the books for myself, it was now very clear that my daughter was also wanting in on this book action. So, I did what every other parent in my position would do. I compromised, and bargain with my 8- year old. After a few options, we finally settled on me getting a book and coffee mug while she got a book and the free t-shirt. And technically, she called dibs on the free t-shirt without even considering that I might want it so I really didn't even have a choice on that one. After we made our final choices we browsed for about thirty more minutes before heading out. Now, before I end this paragraph let me just say that this store had a pretty impressive collection. Not just in regards to books either. They had a nice selection of bookmarks, mugs, t-shirts, handmade items, and bundles. Everything was reasonably priced too. I thought for sure I'd be spending $20+ on a single signed book, but that was NOT the case at all. I spent less than $40 on two signed books and a coffee mug. Plus they threw in two bookmarks, and a t-shirt for free. How's that for an awesome deal? Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at a local pizza joint, took some more pictures, and then finally all climbed back into the car for the trip back. 

And those were the highlights of day one. Once we returned to the apartment we made a pizza run and watched movies. We stayed up debating several topics and listening to movie soundtracks. All while a nice storm rumbled outside. We drank coffee and ate pan dulce until it was time to call it a night. It was a wonderful end to a pretty epic day.

*If you order this just know that it has jalapeno even though it's not stated ANYWHERE in the description. I found out the hard way. 😞

Dinosaur Valley State Park

On December 29th we were invited to go hiking at Dinosaur Valley with my sister-in-law, and some of her side of the family. I'll be honest when I say that we hardly ever venture out. We "hike" around local little places such as the lake. We go running down back roads. But we've been a one income family for awhile now too so even if I wanted to go explore some new places I'm always concerned about gas, and food. This time, I chose not to worry about it. We would be spending time with family, and the park didn't charge entry fees for children under a certain age. Right on. So after having breakfast with a friend Emery and I made our way out to Glen Rose. 

It's about a forty-five minute drive from our house. I remember visiting this place when I was in Junior High for a field trip. But that was a long time ago, and the only thing that felt familiar about the place when we were exploring were the stairs. Everything else about it felt new, and we only managed to explore one trail. The park had maps of several other routes posted at each entrance so I'm hoping to go back soon, and explore a few other trails. Along different routes there are plaques that give you some information about the animals that live there along with information about the different plants/trees. Campsites are also available, and they even have a playground for the little ones which I thought was really cool. There's a river which was a bit too cold for me, but didn't seem to phase others that ran right through the route we took. What seemed to be the main attraction for younger kids were the dinosaur tracks/prints that you can look at, or stand in which Emery found to be really cool. It's also a pet friendly park so we took Maven along with us. Though it wasn't a bad move on our part there were instances when I walked us away from other hikers, and their kids or pets. Maven isn't always on her best behavior when it comes to other dogs, and sometimes people don't like strange dogs around their kids. Much less a pitbull. It was easy to get us far enough away from others, and she still managed to get in a good walk. I think Maven enjoyed the park as much as Emery did. Both of the girls fell asleep on the ride home. 

Dinosaur Valley definitely had some great views, and I really enjoyed the walk. It wasn't too difficult, but there were sections that we had to climb over rocks or steep hills. Emery was in her element the entire time, and she really enjoyed getting to jump into the water. Brave, brave girl. My guess is that late spring/early summer will be an even better time to go out if you're wanting to do some swimming while visiting. Overall, I'd say that this park was a great way to do some hiking, and get us outdoors. It's also a great way for kids to learn some more about the animals that have been here before us as well as the current ones that call this park their home. Emery has been begging to go back out there so the next time we have some good, warm, weather I plan on doing just that. 

Austin; Part III

Going down 6th Street, was ridiculous. There are so many lights, so many people, and this is their OFF season. I was mainly attracted to all the buildings, and just the vibe one feels from the city nightlife. We parked a few blocks down and made our way to the first bar, The Jackalope. Gritty is what first came to mind when I saw the place. It reminds me of what a bar is supposed to look like. Very old-school, dark, cold, and a little trashy looking. Upon further inspection, I realized that it looked like that on purpose. There were these paintings of topless ladies and some pin-ups. Definitely a cool little place. They had a second level bar that was outside, but it was way too hot (they also had the fire going) for us out there. Still, it was definitely a really neat place to go. Once we left there, we tried a few other bars, but then we realized that my husband’s ID had expired. CRAP! So, we didn’t get to go into as many of the places as we had wanted too. Thankfully, some of them didn’t care and they let us in any way.

Our final place to visit was Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, and let me tell you, it was HILARIOUS! Those guys were really awesome! I have no idea how they knew all the songs, so I give them some much-deserved props! See people would write a song down on a napkin or paper, and then include a tip ($1, $5, etc.) and the pianist would play and sing the song. They made jokes and included the crowd. A few ladies got to grope some men, and everyone was having an awesome time! But the most hilarious thing was watching these two older ladies that were drunker than skunks give lap dances, or just get up on stage and shake their booty’s! It was definitely entertaining. Throughout all of this, I had a beer and a jager bomb. My husband had a jager bomb, a fruity blue drink (can’t remember the name), and then a whiskey and coke. That’s it. And we had ourselves a blast! I was definitely more into watching all the drunk people than getting drunk. Seriously, it’s better than cable! We stopped at one more bar once they shut the streets down. Girls dancing in the streets, bicycle taxis, and so much music!! It was a really neat experience. We finally made it home by 2 am, and I was pooped! 

Sunday we woke up around 8, and started packing up. We got dressed, had some coffee, and then we set off for our drive home; grabbing some breakfast and gas on the way. I didn’t get a lot of pictures, because it was a chore to lug everything around. I didn’t want to lose it either. But believe me when I say it was a wonderful time. Still, by Sunday morning my husband and I were having Emery withdrawals, BAD. So the faster we got home, the better. We arrived a little after one, and I was bursting at the seams. My mother brought her out, and she was as excited as she could be. I immediately went and picked her up, and she hugged me so tight. Seriously, that was the BEST THING EVER. My husband got a turn, and we couldn’t stop holding her. We really, really missed our baby girl. Next time we go and visit, we will be taking the munchkin along. I'm pretty sure she'd have a blast!

This was our "Welcome Home"

Austin; Part II

When you’re a parent your internal alarm clock hardly EVER lets you sleeps in past 8 am. Even on vacations, or weekends. So Saturday the hubs and I were up at 7:30 am. We showered, got dressed, and I was able to get my hair done (which is an accomplishment!). We were all ready to go by 10 am.

We tried IHOP, because I have never been to one before, but there was such a long wait that we decided to go next door to Whataburger. After having some “brunch” we drove to the Round Rock Outlet Mall. We did a little shopping, and even though this was supposed to be an “all about us” weekend, I couldn’t help but buy Emery a little dress and some flip-flops. We spent a good couple of hours just walking around and looking at so many different shops. I ended up getting two shirts, and my husband bought three. Finally, we made the full circle around, and it was back to the house to rest a bit and cool down. This is when I got the first update on Emery, and yes, I cried. Before too long we were on our way to downtown Austin. The infamous 6th Street.

The guys checked out a pipe shop and hookah bar, while we went and looked around Urban Outfitters. Seriously, this is my new favorite store. Too bad there isn’t one nearby. I loved the look and all the really cute, vintage looking stuff they had. We met up about 30 minutes later and headed into Tyler’s. They had such a huge selection of TOMS and those super awesome VIBRAM five finger shoes!! Too bad I couldn’t drop $200 on shoes because I really really wanted to. The hubs bought a pair of shoes, and then we made our way out. On our way back to the car, I was able to get a few shots of the murals that are randomly painted EVERYWHERE. I thought they were really neat looking and really added color to the city. Character if you will?

We ended up at a local record store called Waterloo Records to see the music selection. I really really liked this store. It had such a vintage vibe to it. And the walls were covered from floor to ceiling with huge shelves of CD’s, vinyl, and movies. It was like a much cooler Hastings, only minus the movie rental option. It was really really cute. After that, we made our way to Amy’s Ice Cream and had ourselves a bit of a treat. Seriously, it gives Coldstone a run for its money. Not to mention they put on such a better show! LOL! Finally, it was time to head back to the case. But first, we made a pit stop at a tattoo shop to get some plugs (don’t call them gauges or they’ll get mad) for the husband.

Once we got back, I took a nap. The Austin heat totally kicked my ass. That and we had gone to bed super late and woken up super early. After my little nap, we headed out for dinner at the place called Trudy’s North Star. The food was amazing! If you’re ever in the area, I recommend you check it out. We sat outside because it was pretty packed, but they had these fans and misters on that kept us cool. We really enjoyed it. And it wasn’t even that expensive at all, which was even better!

I left so full, and happy. Once we headed out, it was time to get ready for the night. We made a pit stop at Wal-Mart and then headed to the house to get ready. 6th Street, here we come!!