Wednesday, July 31, 2013

4th of July 2013


Jordan is at EFY so its me and all the boys.
Started our day with a Steiner hike. 
We actually got on a trail that was affected by the fires.  
We also found this crazy animal skull.

Some treats that we made.

Happy 4th of July!


 At Uncle Chris' house having some lake time!
 Fireworks from the boat!
Thanks Uncle Chris!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Summer Fun 2013




Spending some time on Lake Austin




 Jackson attempting to surf
Larson taking a different approach.

Logan taking control of the boat.


Early morning hike in Steiner.  I love every time that we go out on the trails.  Beauty all around and a great work out.

Moms workout sometimes includes a 50 pound weight.

If you live in Austin sometimes you end up at the really really weird Austin zoo.

Theres fun to be had for a couple of hours.  Got to spend some time with the Hansons!
Jordan has been off at camps.  Here she is zip lining at girls camp.
After this she went to Trinity University for EFY.
Mom taking the boys camping.
 Pretty sweet accommodations and a midnight movie with smores.

 OK so it was in our back yard but it was really fun RIGHT UP UNTIL the sprinklers went off at 1:30 am!

Spent the day at Aquatica with the boys.

Enjoying the summer!  I love every day that the kids are not in school!
Looking forward to many more days full of fun and time spent together.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Sweet 16 Photos



Thanks so much to Tracey for shooting Jordan's 16 pictures!
There were so many that I loved.  This one being one of my favorites in front of the candy store.  The Texas one was perfect and will always cherish that photo.















We are so blessed with our Jordan.  I know that she has heard it a million times but she is such a good daughter and big sister.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Sweet 16 in Vegas



We had decided that instead of a huge sweet 16 party, Jordan could go on a girls trip.
She wanted NYC.  I get that and would have been fun (but really expensive too).
I have been going to Vegas for 20 years and I knew that it had everything that Jordan wanted in her trip.
Unbelievable hotel rooms, great weather, amazing pools, shopping, eating, and shows.

Add in Aunt Char
Mrs. Kane and...

Katie!  We have our girls trip and ready for some fun.
First things first,  the Palazzo hotel.  One of my favorites.
She loved how big everything was:  the hotel its self, its fountains, the bathroom, the windows with quite a view.
It was certainly hot in Vegas but the pool helped us all cool off.


On to some shopping.

We spent the rest of the day at the Fashion mall.  Jordan got a great start on her shopping.
First night on the strip.

It was very busy on the strip and I think Jordan was not expecting that.  It was sensory over drive trying to take all the lights and people in.


We headed to Zarkana for our first show.

The show was good.  It was a very glorified circus act.  It was all mesmerizing and crazy but not my favorite Cirque show.



We were able to walk back at a slower pace and let the girls see more.

Famous stop at the Bellagio Fountains.
I could watch this show over and over.

Who wore it better?  100% Katie Kane.  Very funny that random tourist had on the same dress.
Jordan went and bought it the next day!

Jordan & Katie rode on the New York New York roller coaster.
Jackson was completely jealous!

Time for more relaxation.



Obviously, Aunt Char was taking most of the pictures.  She was with us the entire time but she is not in very many pictures.  :(

In front of the Venetian.


Sure you can jump on the furniture.
I certainly could eat all of these!

Visiting the Bellagio Hotel.
Jordan really loved this hotel.

Favorite picture of Mom and Katie.



A serious chocolate fountain!

 Soooo happy that Mrs. Kane and Katie could join us for a few days in Vegas.
Jordan had so much fun being with Katie!
The Kanes had to head back to Florida.

With Jordan going off to college in a couple of years we needed to make sure she knew one profession that she would not want to be in!   Haha.  She also had to get a fake Margarita so she could have the glass as a bank.
The shopping continued for Jordan.  She was treated like a princess!

Show for the evening.
 Went to the Mirage to see the volcano go off and to Treasure Island to see the pirate show.
The pirate show is horrible compared to what it use to be.  Oh well, she can say that she did it.
Having so much fun here that we actually call Tom and ask if we can stay later.
He is such a good sport and tells us to stay and have fun!

We tend to eat at a lot of breakfast buffets.  The mirage is our all time favorite.
Jordan seriously took a little of this and a little of that.  


 Today we were going to walk all the way to the end of the strip at Mandalay Bay.  We walked forever and showed Jordan all the hotel attractions that we still had not showed her.
We learned a couple of things:
The birds at Mandalay Bay are gone.
The Lions at MGM are gone.
The Boat ride in Luxor is gone and
the Krispie Cream factory at Excaliber is gone!
I guess we have not done any of those things for a while.





One thing that Char and I had never done was go into the M&M World.  Jordan really wanted to and we were like OK.
We actually spent a lot of time here and it was fun.

 A very cute 3D movie.


Human Nature was the BEST show that we saw.  I knew that would be one that Jordan would love.  4 Australian men singing Motown.
It was amazing!

Last day and out for a little more shopping and sight seeing.


We had breakfast in the Paris hotel.
This crepe is the best that I have ever had.  Jordan and I loved them!!!
She was so impressed with all the hotels.


 Gondola ride at the Venetian.
 Headed back to Austin!
What an amazing week.
Spent it with our favorite people.
Jordan was really blown away by the entire trip!
Happy 16th Birthday Jordan.
How did you like your party?

I went through security in Austin on our way to Vegas.  I left my hat there and did not realize it until I was in Vegas.  This was my Europe hat and I was sad.  So happy that when we landed back in Austin, the security had my hat waiting for me.
Lucky Me!