USA Rugby Game

After spending the morning/afternoon with our nephews in Richmond it was time to head to the new the USA Rugby vs Italy game at the new Dynamo Stadium. We had been planning to go to this game for months now, it's what my brother wanted to do for his birthday. And, although, I didn't know how the game was played, it was fun to watch a new sport. We had a lot of fun supporting the red white and blue :)

Ben and I outside the stadium

Hollis, Jessica and Jackson

The girls before the game.

Hollis and Jackson

Jackson decked out in his red, white, and blue

He had so much fun waving and chewing on that little flag

Tyler's T-Ball

On Saturday, Ben and I headed down to Richmond to watch our oldest nephew, Tyler, play T-Ball. It was honestly one of the cutest things I have ever seen. His team was made up for 4-6 year-old kids (he will turn 6 next week), and this was their second game. He played first base and pitcher and was an awesome first baseman :) They were so much fun to watch. Here are some pictures of Tyler playing first and up to bat!

They all just look so little :)

Action Shot

Got a grounder.

Calling for the ball

He got the runner out.

He takes this game very seriously, reminds me of his uncle Ben.

Tyler's Up to Bat!

Mid Swing

He hits it!

Off to First Base

He's Safe!

Scoring his run!

Good job Tyler, Uncle Ben and Aunt Jenn can't wait to come to more of your games and watch you become a great baseball player someday :)

Fredericksburg- Family Reunion

A weekend in Fredericksburg for a family reunion was the last stop on our Tour of Texas.

We drove in Friday afternoon to Fredericksburg and stayed at these cute cabins with Hollis, Jessica, Jackson and my cousin Monica and her fiance, Brian. It was a three bedroom two bath place that was a little small with the three dogs but perfect for what we needed. There was a nice patio outside that had a fire pit and it overlooked a couple of acres of land that had deer and elk. It was nice to just relax, listen to the cicadas, and visit with family. 

The next morning we got up, grabbed our breakfast vouchers and headed to Fredericksburg Gourmet Coffee and Tea. We both had breakfast tacos that were pretty good. After breakfast we went back to the cabins to change and we were on our way to the Reunion which was on the other side of town (5 min, so nice). We have been having the reunion at Lady Bird Johnson State Park since before I was born. It is just so nice and familiar. We had a good lunch catching up with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins, second cousins etc.  That afternoon we went into town for some blue bell ice cream at a little scoop shop on the main drag and not too long after headed back to our cabins to get ready for dinner.

Went to dinner at a Mexican food place that had a Cheesecake Factory kiosk...yum. After dinner we repeated our first night of sitting outside around the fire, relaxing and soaking in the last night of our mini vacation.

Sunday we went back to the same place for breakfast and I had a big waffle this time. Equally as good as the breakfast taco and headed out of town after that.


We decided that we will probably book the same place next year, maybe just a different cabin it's called The Country Inn & Cottages in case you want a unique place to stay if you are ever in the area.

Weekend in the Hometown

Trip two of three we headed down to Portland to celebrate our nephew Mason's 3rd birthday and to attend a wedding shower for Amanda and Philip.

We drove in Friday night, and didn't stay up to late. That drive right after work is exhausting.
Saturday afternoon we went and ate lunch with the family at a new place in Corpus on the beach. It was so nice to be able to soak up a little gulf air.  There were games in the sand that the restaurant had set up so it was nice to watch the boys play while we waited for our food.

After lunch we went back to Ben's parents house where we attempted to clean out the closet in Ben's old room. Just as I was feeling accomplished in cleaning out the junk room in our house upstairs we bring home another four boxes of stuff. Oh well, I think Ben's Mom was happy to see it go.

Later that evening we headed to the Barnett's for some cake, ice cream, and presents for Mason's 3rd Birthday! I cannot believe he is three! He was such a talker at his birthday party. Some things I want to remember are playing legos with him and watching him proudly carry around his new Cookie Monster stuffed animal. We would ask what Cookie Monster eats and he would say "Cooookkkkkiiiieeees" like you crazy people, what else would Cookie Monster eat? We had so much fun teasing him and asking what about cake? veggies? pizza? etc. and he would say "Nooo, Cookieeees". Three is so much fun!

On Sunday, the women of the family joined Philip and Amanda for a wedding shower. It was a lot of fun to see them open their gifts and get excited about their upcoming wedding in July. Philip enjoyed his "guy" gift from Ben and I (a drill). I was thinking as I was sitting next to my sister-in-law Holly, watching my future sister-in-law open the rest of their beautiful gifts that I have been truly blessed with the best sisters-in-law. I cannot imagine life without Jessica, Holly and Amanda. They are so much fun and are such good role models. I am so blessed.

One of my favorite parts of the shower was when all of the married women there were able to share a piece of advice with the soon to be newly weds. It was so sweet hearing from everyone whose relationships ranged from only a few years to many years together. Everyone had something unique to share but the advice all tied to the same thing. Keep God at the center of your marriage and look past the little things, because life is really to short to spend time upset with each other.

It was a short, but great family weekend. On we definitely need to try and recreate more often, no need for birthdays or showers to spend great time with family.

Be Still My Heart

Ben and I had a great time over Memorial Day weekend traveling to Glen Rose and Granbury, TX. It was nice just to get out of the big city and explore an area of Texas we hadn't been before. Pictures don't do this place justice but I'll try...

 

 We came in on a Friday afternoon and spent the day driving around Glen Rose. The first thing we found was the school. Its a 3A school and we were floored by how nice the facilities are. This is the Basketball Gym. Incredible right? The football stadium had artificial turf...these people don't mess around. 

 

While driving around we found this local swimming hole called Big Rocks Park. We saw some people sitting in tubes and lawn chairs just enjoying the river running through the park. This reminded us so much of San Marcos and Con Can.

 

 On Saturday we drove into Granbury. A bigger town but still with that small town feel. We walked around the square downtown and found this great antique furniture place. We have vowed to return with a bigger vehicle next time to make some purchases. :)

 

  I couldn't resist taking a picture of this house in historic downtown Granbury. I just love the wrap around porches on both stories. 

 

Excuse the blurry picture but I had to get one. This didn't look like lilac to me but does anyone have an idea? The bush was probably 8 feet tall, and beautiful. I was backing away as I heard the bees buzzing, hence the blurry Iphone picture :)

The next few pictures were taken at a picnic area on the side of the highway after we had driven to Stephenville to meet up with our good friends Michael and April for dinner.

Isn't it beautiful?

Be Still My Heart!

Just a bonus, but we were there right at sunset.

As I said before the pictures don't do this place justice. Ben and I had a wonderful time and I would love to go back soon!