December in Texas 2018

We started December off strong with a package of Christmas pajamas from "Gamma Cleary"

I was able to do some service for the Light the World challenge, because Gavin was home to help with the parenting duties! The second picture is an event with Heart House Dallas- a resource for school-aged refugee families.

 We went "Ralph Breaks the Internet" at our favorite sketchy theater.

 We spent time at the park... as always. The picture below is funny: I had to take it sneakily, to get the stranger in the picture! Look closely at how Utahns dress for 60 and sunny vs. how Texans dress for 60 and sunny!

We enjoyed the Christmas Festivities here- church parties, and Santa visits at Bass Pro Shops!

We left for Utah mid-December, but here's a few other random pictures taken during the month while we were still in Texas.

November 2018

November in Texas was awesome! Full of great weather, visitors, and road trips! I did individual posts on the bigger events, like Owen's birthday, a trip to Waco with Gavin's mom and sister, and a trip to Austin for Thanksgiving... but keep reading here to see our other highlights from the month!

October was extremely rainy, washing out a lot of popular trails. So when we wanted to go hiking one day at the beginning of the month, we found this place! The Dogwood Audubon! 

A trip to the children's aquarium, where Owen pet some sting rays!

Gavin started his 8 week paternity leave right before Owen's birthday. We loved having him home with us and showing him where and how we find new places to play! This bike park in Frisco was awesome!

While we were playing at the leaves in the park, Gavin went boating with a friend who was also on paternity leave!

The Christmas festivities began soon after Thanksgiving! Starting with our hosted trip to the Grand Prairie Light Exhibit!

Here are a few other random pictures from the month!

Austin for Thanksgiving

We miss spending Thanksgiving with our families, but it really is fun to celebrate with friends! Our first Thanksgiving here in Texas, Troy and Jazmin Owen came up to Dallas from Houston to feast with us and our friends Kalie & Spencer Knaras. This year, we decided to meet in the middle. We booked a VRBO in Austin, TX. The Owen's brought some of their friends from Houston, then last minute, the Knaras's couldn't make it. So, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Austin with the Owens (Troy, Jazmin, and 1 yr old Jaxon), and the Hansens (Rob, Gentri, and their 1 yr old Caleb.) I'm glad we made it happen!

Stopping at Buc-cee's on the drive down, of course!

The place & the people...

Owen pretty much refused to be in any picture. While we were taking this picture, Owen fell down the stairs and scratched up his face! Only Owen would fall down a spiral staircase!

I love being in new places and finding fun things to do and see! So of course I took advantage of that opportunity.

We visited Hamilton Pool, which was worth the hype!

We also rode the Zilker train. We could have spent all day at this park. Hopefully we come back to Austin soon and can do more here!

Austin's slogan is "Keep Austin Weird." Unique food places are a big part of what makes Austin Austin! For the sake of experiencing it, we went to Loro and Gourdough's for our girls night. Loro is the product of "the best bbq" and "the best Asian" restaurant in Austin... so yah... a mix of smokey barbeque and fresh Asian... it's unique! Gourdoughs deep fried donuts topped with any mixture of fruit and frosting. I wish I would have taken pictures of the food!

Also worth noting from our Austin trip is that Owen bonded with the VRBO neighbor's cat.

We have so much to be thankful for, and had so much fun celebrating Thanksgiving this year!