ICE… The Nutcracker!

We decided to visit the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan again- this year the theme was The Nutcracker!  I was excited that we were able to go with friends this year- so Austin was able to experience it with other children!  I didn't think it was as good as last year, but still so beautiful… and EXTREMELY cold!  

Addison, Alex, & Austin- ready to go in!

Me & Austin

Janell & the kids

Gotta love those big coats!

3 little nutcrackers

Going down the ice slide…. probably 15 times.

Family Pictures

We recently had family pictures taken, and as usual- they turned out beautiful!  Thanks to Paige Pearson Photography for always doing a fantastic job!  Love them!  Here are a few~

Last t-ball game

Today was Austin's last t-ball game of the season… and boy was it a great way to end it!  The Dodgers won 21-20… finishing 2nd in 6Y for the season!!

The team with Coach Chris

 Austin with his coaches

Reid & Austin

Lubbock

We always have a great time when we get together with the Taylors… and this weekend was nothing short of that!  We headed to Lubbock on Friday morning- who knew we'd have such an educational trip!  We learned all about wind turbines and cotton fields (we even stopped on the side of the road and got some cotton- not out of a field, but that had blown onto the road.)  Austin thought both were equally interesting :)

We arrived by mid-afternoon and relaxed for a while- letting the boys play in their amazing back yard and getting a tour of their beautiful house!  We headed to dinner and then rushed to the drive-in for a double feature movie!  We have been wanting to take Austin to the drive-in, but just haven't gotten around to it- so this was his first time!  Granted it was COLD, but we all had a GREAT time!  We saw Free Birds & Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2.  

Austin & Payce playing on the iPads before dinner

Knox, Austin, and Payce at the drive-in.  It was impossible to get a good pic of them all… as you can see.  They were sitting in the back of Christy & Zach's car & the 4 adults were next to them in the back of our minivan.  Lots of blankets, lots of snacks.

The next morning we casually got up and ate breakfast, then I spent some time helping Christy pack (they are moving in 2 weeks) while the guys watched the boys play outside.  We ate a late lunch and then headed to this farm/pumpkin patch.  I am so glad we went because we failed to make it to a pumpkin patch before Halloween…. parent fail.

Random pic of Austin & I on this fun ladder in their backyard

Driving the tractor

No right turn maze

Hayride

Horseback riding

Cow train

Corn cannon… such a guy thing.

That evening Knox ended up getting sick, so we had a relaxing evening of watching football and eating pizza!  Later Austin & Payce made smores.. in the fireplace!  Ha ha!  

Two peas in a pod- they have so much fun together!  Can't wait for our next time together!

Small group retreat

This weekend our small group from church had an overnight retreat at the Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, TX!  The group has gathered there for many years, but this was our first year to attend.  We all arrived Saturday early afternoon and got settled in our rooms.  Some families were in shared cabins & others (smaller families) were put in the "hotel".  :)  We were in the hotel… which was great!  Nothing fancy, but at least we didn't have to bring our own bedding and sleep in bunk beds.  We spent the afternoon playing kickball, having a scavenger hunter (we won), free time (we fished), and zip lining!  I had showed Austin video/pictures of the zip line and he was excited to do it.  I figured he would decide against it when we got there and realized how high it was.. but no.  He had no fear- I was SHOCKED!  He had so much fun and can't wait to go again next year!

I didn't get any pictures, but here's the video:

I also got a few pictures of fishing- it was so pretty!

This is a funny one.  There is this sweet little girl, Chloe, who has a little crush on Austin.  I'm beyond thrilled- she's precious and we love her family!  Anyway, after Austin ate dinner with us… Chloe came in and wanted Austin to sit with her… so he sat down and ate another serving of pasta next to her. They were SO cute- just sat and talked the entire time :)  Not the best pic, only had my phone all weekend- forgot my camera.

That night we had smores by the lake and then a hayride!  It was pretty cold, but Austin really enjoyed being able to see the stars because we were so far out in the country!  After the hayride we put the kids to bed and the adults stayed up talking (women) and playing basketball (men.)  This is where we did smores (before it got dark.)

The next morning we met for breakfast and then had church in the amphitheater over by the river- it was beautiful!  Overall a wonderful weekend- I can't wait to go again next year!