Texas Spring Break #4 - Zilker Park

Fletcher loves the train ride at Zilker Park in Austin. He's no fool. It is sweet.

Texas Spring Break #3 - Bastrop

Many other things happened in Austin, but a big one was our overnight trip to Bastrop State Park. We went for a great sunset hike. Fletcher did a super job of sleeping after he got over the excitement of sleeping next to his Da-Da, hearing crickets and road noise, and kicking the side of the tent. The kid is a natural.

Texas Spring Break #2 - Austin

We stopped in Hillsboro for lunch and found a sweet park with a long, fast slide. Once we got to town we headed to dinner at Joe's up the street from D and Valerie's. Getting the kids home took all of D's cat herding skills.

In the am, EBD and Valerie were under the weather so D, FDDS, Nata and I went to the local farm to see baby chicks.

Texas Spring Break #1 - Cooper Lake State Park

Soon after reaching Texas, we decided to look for a place to camp. Dad wanted to get away from the interstate so we did our best to follow our phones to the nearest state park. Once we were good and lost, we stopped for directions in Sulphur Bluff. The nice men at the gas station that took only cash directed us to the cows across the street from their filling station and then to Cooper Lake State Park. 

Despite the fact that the lake is 8' low, it was quite beautiful. A storm spawning tornadoes came through in the night. For a kid who practically grew up in a tent, Julie does not do well when people plant fears in her head (bears, tornadoes, etc.).

In the morning, the kids gathered up a dozen ladybugs and a big furry caterpillar to bring on the drive to Austin. On the way, my greatest fears were realized when the bugs all escaped and we were racing across Texas with ladybugs flying all over the car. On the plus side, we had no aphid problems for the rest of the trip. The caterpillar was never seen again.

Picnic with Grandma Bonnie in OKC. Crazy!

Final swim.

Angelos bbq

Dead animals EVERYWHERE

FW Zoo rules

Dinos at the zoo. What?!

The girls

Dress up at Aunt Bean's

Ol' South Pancake House

Old high school haunt of the arty fort worth country day crowd. Geoff's first time here.

At Japanese Garden in Ft. Worth with Aunt Bean

Outdoor pool in April

The Princess and Copperdog

And the brothers join in

More of the cousin show

Cousins put on a show at Threadgill's

Cute girls "having a very fun time."

We are sweating at 9:40am at Bastrop State Park. Enjoy the snow, Chicago!

EBD is all over the crawfish

At El Chilito - Got Virginia and Maine AND squinting from the sun and outdoor tacos. EBD says "sweet."

"We are at a farm. We already saw chickens and are eating strawberries."

Dinner outdoors in Austin with Aunt Valerie

Natalie wants grandpa owie to see her dining outdoors. 68, light breeze, perfect. Cold rain in chi-town still?

23 plates - Chicago to Little Rock, AR

USA!

Roadtrip!

We are on the road - sort of. Geoff has a meeting in Kankakee, 1 hour south of chi-town. We're exploring. So far 7 people and a whole town of ants.

How they roll in Fox River Grove

Poison Ivy returns

Opening day of soccer season. A win for PI. A goal and a couple of assists for E.B. The picture above with Christian running west as Elliot kicks the ball east nicely captures under 6 soccer.

After the game, we rushed back for Elliot's piano recital (with Lil' Superman changing into his chinos in the parking lot) only to learn that we had the time wrong and missed it. Luckily, an in-house recital for the Grandmas was enough to save the day.

Monkies at the Zoo

Returning the Black Dog cart

Field museum