Bluebonnets

Aunt Hiromi asked if I would try to get some pics of the kids with her favorite Texas wildflower. On Easter Sunday, after church, (gotta love 11am-2pm church) the kids would not take naps, so we went up to the park and took some pictures. Non-napped kids for picture taking... very very smart... We got off to a rough start with Noel, but Claire loved running around and picking flowers. She loves flowers! We told her not to pick any, but the girl was tempted beyond what she could bear. Noel soon figured out that he was having a good time too.

Happy Easter

During Uncle Dan's visit, he bought a cowboy hat. He let Claire borrow it for some cute pics before he left. Claire is going through a serious princess phase right now. Anyone who has had a conversation with her lately knows. I wonder if she will go through a cowgirl phase?

Mommy and Noel pre-hunt and butt-shot pic #1 - random stranger)

My mom and dad came to visit for Easter week-end. Saturday morning we went to a local Easter egg hunt put on by the city. It wasn't as crowded as I thought it was going to be, but pretty busy. Claire had a great time. Noel was happy to be along but didn't really care for the hunt. Most of the pictures we ended up with had someone bending over - either strangers or one of us - hello!- it is an Easter egg hunt - but we'll try to spare you as many butt-shot pics as we can.

Getting ready - in line

The Hunt! and butt-shot #2 - the helpful hubby

The results - Noel

The results - Claire


Playing at the park after the hunt

Down to see the ducks

We really love how Easter-time is warm enough to have outdoor Easter-egg hunts in Texas. In Michigan the weather is way too unpredictable to be able to have a clear day - well I guess it's predictable enough to say that it will either snow or rain... So, I never remember going to outdoor Easter-egg hunts growing up. It was kind of a chilly day on this occasion, but warm enough to be comfortable with a light sweatshirt.

This week-end was a busy one. Saturday especially. But very nice. After the hunt we made a trip to Rock Rock Donuts for the first time. Very good, but so busy! They either need to expand- or I hate to say this - raise their prices. Ridiculously busy! This nice lady gave us a tip about the bread. It was really good and only $1 a loaf. We made a trip to the library since it was across the street and then headed home to make an early Easter ham dinner since my parents couldn't stay on Sunday. Later, I sang in the Easter program put on by our Stake. We performed 'He is Jesus Christ' the cantata by Rob Gardner. We had rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday and performed on Friday and Saturday evening this week.

We had been practicing since the end of January. Aaron was so great to help get the kids to bed without me (especially Noel w/o being able to nurse him) on the evenings we had practices. It will be nice to have Sunday nights (that's when the majority of rehearsals were) back to spend with my family, but I will miss it too. I'll especially miss the people I came to know and the spirit I felt while performing this music. When I auditioned I had no idea what to expect. I was worried that it would be cheesy churchy music - and I guess some people could classify it as that. But I really enjoyed it and I thought it was beautiful. I can't count how many times I have sung it now - but that doesn't stop me from still popping in the CD - especially when I feel my temperature rising. Listening to it really helps to calm me. Sometimes we even catch Claire singing - 'come and see the empty tomb'!

Our conducter is a wonderful sister in my ward who I have gotten to know through the pratices and by serving with in primary. She lost her leg to cancer last year and her experience has had quite an impact on me and our family. We really didn't know her well at the time she went though this, but prayed for her constantly and thought about her all the time. I really felt my love for her grow. Every time I think about her experience or when she relates her story I never think - how could the Lord let this happen to her - I just feel that the Lord really loves her so much! She is so precious to Him! Having her as the conducter for our musical really brought out the meaning of the resurrection and the Savior's love for us even more. Thank you Anna for being so inspiring to so many!

Happy Easter to Everyone!

Trip To San Antonio -finally

Us and the Riverwalk

We finally made it to San Antonio. We've been in Austin for two years and finally made the trip. Aaron was actually there for a reception for Syracuse Maxwell School of Public Affairs Alumni not too long ago, but I had never been. Only to the temple once with the youth of our ward. We were always scared about kid's naps or getting stuck in traffic or we didn't have the gas money.

This guy helped us out a ton! Thanks Uncle Dan. We miss you already!

In front of the Alamo with Dan or is that just some weird guy?

Noel and Mommy by the Fountain (Alamo)

Kids outside the Alamo with Daddy

I am so proud of Claire. She is potty training and wearing big girl underpants. She made it all day without an accident! We just made sure that we went at all stops and starts (does that make sense? Before leaving and right after arriving...) I was worried that she would be shy in the public restrooms but she did great!

This little guy was such an angel on the trip and such a happy boy.

People have told Aaron that the Alamo was small and to be prepared. We didn't have high expectations, so we were easily impressed. It's crazy to think that 200 something men were able to withstand 2000 something men for so long. This place, now in the midst of tall buildings and hotels, was once the only thing standing for miles. The legendary Davy Crockett died here. I wish I would have had some money to buy a coon hat for Noel.

We thought it was great and the grounds were very beautiful. This is such a pretty time in Texas. Not too hot and there are flowers everywhere. We'll be kind of sad to leave this behind.

Happy Birthday Noel!

Noel with his cake - not much eating going on - but fun to play with

Claire helps to open presents

Smelling the Roses at the Botanical Gardens at Zilker Park

Uncle Dan and the kids at the top of Mt. Bonnell

family shot

Up the stairs

Old Settlers Park - Claire and Dan

Dan and Noel

Hailstorm in March

Birthday Presents

Last night Uncle Dan braved babysitting both kids (Thanks Pudge!) so that Aaron could take me downtown to a concert. He bought me tickets to see Neko Case for my birthday. The concert was outdoors at Stubbs which I think is also a BBQ restaurant. Anyway, it was really nice to get out since we've lived in the Live Music Capital of the world for two years and hadn't been to a show yet. For anyone who does live here and hasn't been yet, I highly recommend trying to go see a show (if you don't mind the smell of beer and cig smoke). The concert was great. Neko Case - her voice is just lovely. We couldn't see very well since we got there kind of late, just caught glimpses of her flaming red hair. You can check out one of her new songs/video here. Love it - the song - the video, is interesting.

Today was Noel's first birthday! I can't believe my baby is a year old (and still not sleeping through the night)! We got up and had pancakes with whole milk to drink. Then we went for a drive down to Mt. Bonnell. I thought the hike would be a lot harder - but it was no biggie at all. Beautiful views. It was really nice and we packed lunches and ate at the top. While the kids took naps in the car we took Dan on a car tour of Austin and then made a stop at the Botanical Gardens. We ran into a friend from the Stake Choir who was also touring the garden with family visiting from out of town.

We came home and I made a cake and then we went out to eat at Salt Lick. The waitress and Dan flirted a bit and she let him share his all you can eat and let us take home his left overs. We came home had cake and opened up a ton of presents. Thank you Auntie Hiro!!! And thank you Aunt Kristin for the cute peek-a-boo card. That was Noel's favorite!!! Noel wasn't so interested in the cake as he was the ice cream and the plate the cake came on (video to come). He seemed like a very happy little guy all day and I think he really enjoyed his big day.

It's been really nice having Aaron's bro visiting too. He's been helping out so much and doing so well with the kids. They just love him! Pictures to follow!