31 December 2011

Christmas 2011

Apparently, around here the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to
decorate a tree along the busy roads.
We joined the tradition and our cheer is increased every time we drive by.
Now I'm wondering if I go clean it up or if the city will...
(just being lazy and hoping the city will)
Santa came and went.
Jeff got a couple targets and accessories for his new found
hobby, archery.
The girls got an easel, pillow pets, and bed quilts.

Santa really nailed it with me.
Rain boots and a hammock, who could ask for more?

Now it's time to get serious and prep for baby Coco.

20 December 2011

Texas up-date

Blogging consistently hasn't been a priority for a very long time.
When I look back at older entries I get sad to see events that I've missed.
Seeing that I use this as my scrapbook and family journal,
I think I have a bit of catching up to do.  

I am 34 weeks pregnant.
Due date is January 31st.
I feel good in the mornings, tired in the afternoon, and grumpy in the evenings.
I'm addicted to eating Almond Kisses and Tums are strategically placed throughout the home.
I wonder if I wouldn't need so many Tums if I didn't consume all the Kisses.
Oh, well.

We moved to Texas on Dec 1st.
The first question I usually get is, "Are you all unpacked?"
This is comical. I have what I need unpacked. If I need something else
I venture to the disaster zone (aka the garage) to find it,
many times to re-enter to the home without the object that I searched for
but with some other thing that is useful.
Top priority was the tree.
Totally useful and important.


Back to the move:
We made the 16 hour drive in two days.
Stan graciously drove me and the girls and Jeff drove the big truck.
It was quite obvious once we entered Texas.
This is what came out of the waffle maker at the hotel our
first night in TX.
I don't recall ever seeing a waffle shaped Arizona or Utah.
This is another common site in Texas.
BBQ spots that look like barns.
The home we are renting is much older and bigger than we are use to.
Here she is on a foggy, drizzly, Austin morning.

The inside can use a lot of work (that will never happen),
but the outside is a dream.
We are on half an acre and have over 20 mature trees in the backyard.
This is just a glimpse. We see a lot of birds and squirrels each morning.
We also spot deer almost daily driving around the neighborhood.
This is the view on the route to church:
This was my view at our first church service:
Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and genuine to our family.
I feel like I have already made friendships that will only continue to grow.
The girls got to see Santa at our new wards party.

We've been to the Blue Bell factory in Brenham, TX.
I really loved the scenic drive to this little town.

Downtown Austin is very pretty with popular bridges and routes along the rivers for bikers and runners.
The town even places coolers along the routes with water daily for all the active people.

The weather has been very rainy since we've arrived and with Jill not going to
preschool for Dec she has been getting a bit of cabin fever.
We had to ventured out and find the local library.
They hold events for children multiple times a week.
We've decorated ginger bread men and attended a puppet show.
I do miss things about Arizona,
specifically family.
But, I do think we'll be just fine out here on our own in the middle of Texas.