Isn't this weather fabulous? I love Fall. We have spent every minute possible outside and we've enjoyed having the windows open when we have to come inside! A few weeks ago, we took a trip with some family to Wimberly, TX where we stayed in a house right on the Blanco River. The weather was perfect, nice but still warm enough to get into that cold, spring-fed river! The little cousins had plenty of time to play and we all enjoyed some great food and relaxation! Jackson and Andrew LOVED the river so much that I think we just might start making regular camping trips up that way. It is incredible to have such beautiful land just 2 hours away from our house! Here are some pictures:


Other things we have been up to: hatching baby turtles, drawing pictures, listening to the Beatles, putting on puppet shows, playing at parks, riding bikes and jogging, lots of yard work, painting the master bath, and so much more.
Here is the hatching of our latest baby turtle:

It is right about the size of a quarter or half dollar. So cute, don't know if it is boy/girl yet. Reading everything I can find about how to take care of it but trying not to get too attached just in case....;o) We actually had one baby turtle before this which mysteriously disappeared one day while we were out. It really was a mystery- the only explanation was that something took him right out of his box...so strange. He was adorable.

Here are a couple more random pictures!
Puppet Shows

A Fall Watermelon

Jackson's rendering of the Beatles

Ready for Deer Season with his deer stand

in updates, that is! It seems as though as soon as I finish one big project, another begins! Right now I am still organizing all of the toddler curriculum for our congregation and also just began teaching the K-1st class (which takes a good deal of preparation!) But I am really enjoying it- we are just beginning the NT and then will work on some of the parables. Great material!

Today we went to feed our turtles before it was time for the boys to go down for naps and when I looked down I saw this! :
baby turtle
Out of 7 eggs laid, we were down to 2 and I really wasn't expecting them to hatch. Even if they did, I had calculated that it should be sometime in the end of October. So I was very surprised to see this tiny baby! There is one egg left and it seems to be in great shape, so we will be checking a LOT in the coming days, I'm sure!

What a nice weekend we are having and I am looking forward to completing it with an annual singing tomorrow with our church! Today was a busy day with yard work, pool time and just some fun around the house. The boys are getting to where they are playing together more and more without us and although they have their share of fighting, they really are the best of friends and it is so fun to see them playing and pretending together! Earlier in the week we enjoyed a trip to the zoo with a good friend and Nana too! We began the day with a stop at the Lego store in the Galleria which was very cool and maybe a tad overwhelming for Jackson who is a new Lego-maniac. He builds the best boats from the huge Lego stash that once belonged to my brothers. I know I have some pictures of his creations, but I can't find them right now... trust me, they are really good!

The zoo was hot, but they had the best time looking at snakes and fish indoors and then running around until their faces were bright red! Jackson is very into Austin Stevens right now (often he pretends to be him)- he is a snake adventurer and we love to watch his shows. So it was extra-cool to see all the snakes he has hunted on this trip to the zoo!
On Friday, we had a very exciting visit from Mere-Mere who came with plenty of food and also 2 little baby chicks for us to play with! We chopped and breaded lots of okra and then put up several jars of fresh bread and butter pickles!
It wasn't all work though- she and the boys headed to a fun lunch at Chick Fil A while I enjoyed a deluxe pedicure- can't even remember the last time I had one of those!

I am sad to say that I have failed my bootcamp due to a sinus infection that I cannot seem to shake. I was off to such a great start but this thing hit me hard - twice! I finished an antibiotic today and I think that I am over the worst of it. I got in 2 good weeks of bootcamp at least and felt so great from it that I look forward to continuing to get up early and workout very soon!

Alright, these boys of mine are the funniest things ever! Even when they are naughty, there is still humor (though I NEVER let them know that!). I catch them doing something new and funny just about everyday and I have tried my best to capture most of the moments on film. Here are some of my recent favorites:
Andrew talking to Nana on the phone and showing her things around the house:


Jackson loves to draw "markets" for Josh and then wants him to take them to the office. This particular day he had some for Josh to wear and then distribute at work.

On Friday, the boys and I went to Chick Fil A, along with Nana, for their annual dress like a cow day. We dressed head to toe and enjoyed lots of free food, plus a visit with the real big cow (who Andrew insists "wufs him").


I love free stuff!!!

Fun on the 4th of July! We had a great time starting off with a visit from Uncle Joel, then a trip to the farm in Rockdale, where Jackson caught a chicken all by himself! We picked produce, gathered eggs, caught fish and just had a great time. Then on Sunday night, the big boys rocked out with guitars while Nana and I took the boys to our little town square to watch a wonderful firework show!