Bluebonnets

Today we went and took the obligatory Texas bluebonnet pictures. They came out alright. The two (almost three!) year old wasn't having much of smiling, but a couple rounds of "Home, Home on the Range" helped eke out a couple of smirks. 

AND. Hey guys! There is actually a pic of all four of us. Thanks to a borrowed tripod (Thanks Kelly!) and a self timer, we have a rare picture with both mom and dad. Yes!

So here they are- my lovely men. (And a couple with myself) They make me melt, even when the smiles take a bit more effort. 

New Year's Eve Eve

Was spent something like this...

The Rodeo!

Yesterday I got to spend some actual quality time with my boys. I feel like this really hasn't happened enough recently. We hopped in the car and headed out to the rodeo. Now, I'm not really sure I feel like we went to the rodeo. All that stuff happened later in the day and cost more money. It was more like we went to the fair. But it was still a good time walking around and watching Dex experience all the sights and sounds.

Enjoying his pizza

He really wasn't so into the petting zoo. I think he doesn't like it when there are small animals on his level. They freak him out a bit.

Waiting for his pony ride. 

LOVING the pony ride. He was laughing so hard he could barely stay on the pony.

My little cowboy.

Riding his tractor

So all in all it was a good day. Once the sun was too hot and there were too many people, we ate our last ice cream cone and headed home. We thought Dex was going to pass out as soon as we got in the car, but we had another thing coming. He spent the ride home singing. At first I couldn't tell what he was singing but I thought I recognized the tune. After a few minutes I figured out he was singing "Farmer in the Dell." Once I figured that out, I knew he was singing a song they sing in his class about shapes. But, how cool is that? Without knowing the words I recognized his tune. I guess there's some musical talent in him! (Oh, and then he didn't nap and didn't go to sleep until about 10pm. I guess the rodeo riled him up too much)

On another note. Tomorrow we go to the Dr and if all goes well, we find out the sex of the baby! Wish us luck. Any takers on what it will be?

Out and About

I've been trying to be a little better about getting us out of the house recently. When we first arrived in Austin we were constantly scouring calendars and magazines for fun family activities and we had a lot of fun. Since then we have fallen into our normal routine which includes a lot more sitting around the house/ cleaning/ not really doing a whole lot. Mostly trying to catch naps when possible actually. Last week I decided enough was enough. We went to a puppet show at Book People. They have an independent and totally awesome bookstore with a huge children's section upstairs. They even have a little amphitheater for story time a few times a week (with a tunnel to run through underneath) and a puppet show sometimes. It was fun, but you have to get there early to get a seat which is hard with a little one. I have never seen it so crowded and we've gone there a few times, but not for the puppet show before. However, with the seats that we had, we had a good time.

Today I looked around and found a children's music show to go to. The Hey Lollies perform at Flipnotics the first Saturday of each month. Flipnotics is a really cute little coffee shop with delicious food and cute places to sit outside. The Hey Lollies are a three woman band that play super fun music and get the crown really involved. Declan was a little tired, but loved listening to the music and dancing around with Logan and me. Again, a little crowded so luckily we got there at the perfect time to get seats. They were so much fun. I would definitely take a look at their schedule and go see them again.

The great thing about both of these activities is that they were both 100% FREE!

One week!

One week until we are boarding that plane and heading East. I'm so excited (even though I'm sure that sounds like a broken record by now). I'm trying to travel without a lot (because I know that our warm clothes will take up my whole bag) but I have some GREAT ideas for some gifts to make once I'm there. Surprises, surprises.

I also really can't wait to show everyone how much bigger Dex is. He seriously astounds me every day in how much more he can do. I kind of really wish I was able to have him in a Montessori environment at this age. He would do so well with a more structured daily environment. I know that where he is now, everyone is doing the best that they can, but I hate how high the ratio is. It makes it so hard for the teachers to spend quality time with the kids. There is also such a "Mine, mine, mine" feeling around the classroom. That is not at all the case in Montessori. He would definitely do well with having his own work and learning to be patient and peaceful. Who knows what our next step will be, but perhaps in that direction.

Our apartment is slowly coming together. We have more ingredients in our kitchen and more furniture. However, shelves would be awesome. Our living room has no furniture which means nowhere to put our stuff! Freecycle, Craigslist, and yardsales are becoming our new best friends. I'm working on getting a new SD card and researching new cameras, so that soon I can post pics. (Also working on cleaning up messes constantly)

Now that we are more settled, both have jobs, and have a place to live, I'm thinking more about how to get to where I want to be. I'm really not fulfilled at my job, and as scary as it is to really think about... I think that teaching might not be the place for me. I have been scared into staying in the same type of profession for the last few years, but really need a change. I am so grateful for the discounted child care, but with having my Master's... I feel as though I can do something more. I'm just not sure what that more is. My really silly wish is that I could get a nice camera and see if that could lead me to taking portraits. However, I don't have a nice camera (and only so much money that could be put towards it) and don't really know very much about professional photography. I also think that it would be awhile before that could take off enough to help support my family. Just a silly wish I guess.

However, people that know anything about cameras... any advice on what I might want to take a look at/ what I should be looking for in a camera?


See all those at home soon! Hugs from the Hardages!

Home Sweet Home

So Dear Readers,

We have a new home. I can't believe it's been ten days since I last posted. To play that broken record one last time... that's what having no internet does. Things here have changed quite a bit in the last few days. I have a new position at my school and we have a new home. I am now the Accelerated Pre-K teacher and have my own class. It's a big transition for all of us but I'm excited about the prospects.

And we have  a new home! We pretty much moved across the street, so Logan can still walk to work. We have TWO bedrooms again so Logan and I don't have to sleep in the living room anymore, and we can finally settle. It was really scary for me to have a whole year lease ahead of me... I wasn't sure if I was ready for that kind of commitment, but I think it will be good. I'm excited to actually be able to decorate and make it OURS. I feel like Declan is starting to get to the age where he will start caring about his home and his room, and I'm so glad I get to give that to him. (Though a house would be great also...)

Speaking of that little devil, to update those who miss him greatly... He is going to be a Roman gladiator for Halloween. He was a pretty big hit at school and I had lots of people ask me where I got it and look pretty boggled when I said I made it. Hopefully he will get distracted enough to wear his golden laurel wreath out on Halloween or else you mayyyy get him confused with an angel or a girl or something. He is talking more now. He repeats a lot of words and is constantly describing things around him. I don't like that he has picked up saying "Mine" from school, but what can you do. He walks well and mostly runs everywhere he goes. He is a pretty picky eater which we are trying to change. He loves his stuffed musical sheep, Daisy. Sometimes he prefers to sleep in his pack and play because it makes him feel safe. He has three molars and the fourth is coming in along with the two bottom teeth to make a foursome down there. He is so funny and sunny and loving. He gives hugs and kisses and waves goodbye to everyone. Pretty much he is awesome.

I suppose I should go start unpacking otherwise Declan will unpack it all for me tomorrow by throwing it around the apartment or putting things in random drawers. I'm so happy to have the internet back!

Home!

Woo hoo! We have keys to our new (temporary) home! We're there until October 31st, so we have six more weeks to try to get our act together and find something more permanent. It was awesome to see Declan run around in his new place. It's fairly small, nothing super special but it will be full of love and that is all it needs.

We went and explored part of South Congress together. He insisted on being carried all the way to the coffee shop, and then insisted on walking the whole way back. We had no schedule, so we stopped and explored every plant and crack in the sidewalk that we passed. Declan made tons of new friends and got to pet 90% of the dogs that walked by.

Loving watching my boy grow up. I love being able to go to restaurants and have him sit there and dip his chips in queso.

I love watching him rest his feet on the bars underneath the table.

I love watching him explore.

I love watching his curiosity explode in front of me.

To exploring our life of love, laughter and adventures. I'm pretty sure our current motto is "All you need is Love"... and we have a lot of it.

Home?

So we're still working hard on getting our selves settled. And by working hard I mean job hunting with a good mix of playing and exploring the city combined with napping and cooking together. (Though we really are job hunting... I promise... but family time is important too)

Home update... it looks as though we have somewhere to call (mostly) our own until the end of October. As long as everything continues to go through like it looks like it should, we will be finishing out the lease of someone that just adopted two puppies and do NOT have enough room for them in their current place. Therefore, we're just going to finish out the last seven or so weeks there while getting jobs to find somewhere more permanent. It will just be a small one bedroom apartment, but that is definitely enough for us right now.

I don't know... I just feel like good things are starting to happen to us, and that it is going to continue that way... it is our time.

Declan is good. He is learning new vocabulary to suit his new surroundings. He says "b" for bird and "TJ" for TJ the cat (whom he adores but Declan losing some of his gentle quality, so I'm not sure the feelings are returned). He wants to walk EVERYWHERE and refuses to sit in the cart at the grocery store and is not a fan of being carried anywhere. This is fine and all... but a little hard when he gets distracted by every single thing he passes. He likes to help do the dishes and laundry and loves washing the table with a sponge. I can't wait until I can get him set up with things on his level to help do chores. He'll love it. He has molars coming in on both the top and the bottom, so he has been a bit cranky and clingy. I mind when I'm trying to do things... but it's not all bad.

I was pretty emotional when actually faced with leaving him when I went to work for those three days. Now I feel as though I don't want to be separated from him at all. It's hard even when he's napping sometimes. It's bizarre, but I feel as though I have a magnet connected to him and my stomach doesn't feel right when I can't see him. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to do the whole leaving him thing again. I suppose I don't have to worry about that now.

Here is he on his first (but really second... and really last) day of school!

Destruction

It feels as though lately we have been taking one step forward and two steps back.

So as of a few days ago I had gotten a job and the apartment search had been looking hopeful. Now, I don't want to get too much into it (because that would turn this into a pretty big rant) but due to scheduling differences between the time they wanted me to stay until and the time of Declan's nap- I am not working at that job anymore. Since I now have no job and Logan still doesn't have a job (and heard a "no" back from Barnes and Noble today) we have no proof of financial stability. This means that since the apartment complex wants some pay stubs or offer letters, getting an apartment will not be as easy.

I was watching a movie last night and they were talking about the goddess of destruction (in India- sorry I don't remember/know how to spell her name). A man (from the US) was asking a native of India why someone would want to have statues of the goddess of destruction around. She explained that sometimes destruction was good because it allowed for new cycles to occur- for new beginnings. Maybe that is what is happening in our lives. The change of scenery wasn't enough. (I am admitting that this is our doing because of our choices, but it's still hard to live with). Our lives are being slowly destroyed. Now, I know that we haven't hit anywhere near rock bottom, and I know that our families wouldn't let us get that far. But, it is really hard to take a step back and realize that although I have my Master's Degree... I can't get a decent job to help support my family (let's face it... working 9-1 and having child care taken out wasn't going to pay the bills) and I don't have a place to live.

I am craving my independence back and am working hard to try and get it. For now I suppose I just need to keep making those steps forward and hope some of them stick.

Hellooo Austin Texas

Well guys, we've made it. Actually... we made it here Tuesday night. Sorry about the lack of updates, but we got here pretty late on Tuesday and then my mom and D man got here Wednesday, so we've been trying to settle and show my mom around. It's been a good time so far since I have decided it's still a vacation for me as long as my mom is here. After she leaves I'll buckle down and do the whole "getting a job" thing again. Logan has an interview at Barnes and Noble on Tuesday... a second interview since he already had a phone interview. So let's all cross our fingers and think good thoughts and pray according to what works for you that all works out. Once we know at least where one of us works, we can work on getting a place to live and getting our lives more together. For now we're just seeing the sights and spending quality family time together.

Last Day to Pack

I sit here, surrounded by to-do lists, piles of things to get packed, and my 16 month old toddling around undoing every job I complete and attempting to unpack everything I put into boxes. Today is my last day to get this done. I won't be leaving for Texas until Sunday, but today is my last day at this newest "home". I have two days of wedding fun ahead of me, but I am slightly unable to see it at this moment.

I can't believe that this is really happening. I've been wanting the excitement and adventure of moving to a completely different place for the last two or three years. I had gone so far to make plans to move to Oklahoma before Logan and I got together. I had started the application to OSU, had a place to stay and even had plane tickets booked for my friend who was going to drive there with me. Then I met Logan and fell completely and totally head-over-heels in love, and just couldn't go. I stayed to find out where things could go and was pregnant within two months. My traveling adventures came to a pause.

I say pause because here we are, about to press the play button again. I stayed while I was pregnant and while Declan was small because I needed the comfort of having my family around, and also because I couldn't bear to take him away from them. I have always been close with my family. We celebrate every holiday together from Christmas to the 4th of July. I want that for him. I want him to know his cousins and grandparents and have that special bond. So it tears my hearts apart a little to know that I'm taking him away from that (with my side of the family anyway). However, I know that we are young and if we are to adventure, now is the time. We are at points in our careers that it is easy to leave them, Declan is not in school yet, and it will only get harder from here. Anything can happen. I know that if I really needed it, I would have several people that would gladly get me a ticket to come home. I'm not saying that I am going to need it... but it is still nice to know that my support system won't disappear because I have moved a few miles away.

I have had a huge mental block with actually getting things packed up. It's hard to make it real. I know that it will be great, and a learning experience, and a chance for Logan and I to start something new with our little family. However, to everyone on the East Coast... know that I will miss you terribly.

Sorry so short

So most of my entries have been pretty short lately. I think that with the no-job situation and trying to figure out our lives I am just plain tired. I wish I had words of wisdom or funny comments, but my brain seems pretty fried.

We went down to visit my dad yesterday. Declan and I were able to spend the day out on his boat (and get use out of Declan's life jacket) and go to the beach. It was really nice to take a day off of worrying about moving stuff and just be. We swam and played in the sand and ate seafood and just had a nice time.

Today was the day that we had to start saying goodbye. I'm pretty sure it hasn't hit me that we're really leaving yet. I'm pushing that feeling off until the last second and I'm sure poor Logan will have to deal with most of it. (Sorry in advance love!) But the trailer is reserved... storage is set... place to live and flights and everything have been booked... it's really happening.

I'm back!

Hey all. I hope I didn't leave you all in suspense while I took a week off. (Who am I kidding... I'm sure no one cares) The small one and I took a trip to CT to see my mom. We had a family photo shoot on the beach resulting in some great/hilarious pictures. *One of my favorite moments was when we went to get ice cream from the ice cream truck - for only $1, how can you beat it- and we were all dressed head to toe in matching long sleeve shirts and jeans while everyone around us was in tiny shorts and bathing suits. Pretty funny* Declan and I took some time in with Gramby and spent a lot of time napping and on the beach.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but he's walking now!! Therefore, has been getting pretty tired from all his extra hard work.

The move is less than two weeks away, as is Mel's (and Casey's) wedding! Pretty stoked to have had some great bachelorette parties in the last weekend. Now pretty excited for the upcoming ceremonies (though I will only be able to attend one). We're leaving the 8th... the day after the wedding. Little man will be watched up here and flown down a few days later so we don't have to be fighting a 16 month old the whole way. Thank goodness.

I'm not really sure what else to say. Had to start paying back student loans today. That means I REALLY need to get my act together and find a job so I'm not left with nothing. I feel a little all over the place, with the house hopping and being jobless. I'm mostly ok, and pretty excited about everything, but there are some moments that hit me with the no-hope-of-a-job thing. I'm sure it will all work out once we're there but only time will tell I guess.

Until then... more packing will ensue!

TEXAS

So guys. Here's the big update I guess. Our plan to move to Texas has been put in action. Well... soon anyway. We're going to be leaving MA and heading due South August 8th. So I'll get to see pretty much all of my family at Mel's wedding the day before we leave. No jobs as of yet, but things are looking ok for Logan. We've been given the opportunity for a place to stay while getting settles sooo... time to make the leap.

I'm excited and nervous. It'll be good (but better once I find a job)!

Sidenote: It was a lot harder to write this and put it into words than I thought. Being real is kind of scary.

Close!

Oh Dear Blog World. To those who keep up with this (with only 7 followers it's hard to know who actually reads this thing), we are getting close to life changing time. Moving is a week from TOMORROW. Yikes! So much to do that I am hopefully alleviating some of the stress by slight venting here first. I'm not sure if I said it before but our plan is to put our stuff in storage up here while figuring out job stuff down there. Once Logan's transfer goes through or I get a job... we're there.

I am getting super anxious about everything that will be happening in the next few weeks, and it doesn't help that a lot of it is up in the air. I am currently trying to just breathe and know that it will work out just the way that it is supposed to. Wish me luck with that and with packing.

Sunshine

The last few days have been pretty great. I spent the weekend NOT being stuck without a car. We had a nice BBQ on Monday and it was really nice to see my friends. Yesterday was muggy, but the thunderstorm cleared that up... and it caused the boys to take super naps. Then I went out to see Sex and the City with Jess and Dayna last night. I felt bad that Declan had spent so many nights not in his own crib recently (although I was with him for most of the time... just not at our house) but it was so nice to be able to go out and hang out with my girls. We then found a place with half price apps, AND they gave us a free pizza in addition to the one that apparently had too many bubbles in it? We thought they were both delicious and ended up with so much pizza.

The moving/packing is going ok. We have one big shelf packed up and given away already... which isn't that much, but it's better than my usual idea that there should be no packing before the day of the move. So... it's looking like Texas is still on the top of the list. There were a few set-backs, but I think it's in our hearts and will end up happening. Just not quite sure how and exactly when yet. Logan put in for a transfer, so we have to see how all that pans out and what happens my way with a job. For now we're just blowing in the wind and seeing where life takes us. And instead of worrying about our next step I think I'm just going to enjoy the ride. We have each other. We'll make it work.

Silence

Silence. Well... silence plus cars driving by and children and dogs somewhere outside. But still... silence. I haven't heard this sound in awhile.

I'm at my mother-in-law's house and she is out with the baby and Logan is out at work. I have been here working on resumes and cover letters and dreading facing the real world and trying to get a real job. However, the silence is nice for the moment. I have been going from grad school to working to taking care of Declan for so long that it's hard to stop and slow down for a minute. It is so nice to not be in school and just be able to enjoy the time I have with my child and family and not be feeling guilty for the papers and reading left on the back-burner.

However, it is not all sunshine and daffodils quite yet. We are on the brink of a change. What that change will be exactly... I'm not sure yet. We are out of our apartment July 1. While I'm excited to get away from the (if-you-don't-have-anything-nice-to-say-don't-say-anything-at-all) landlords, I'm a little nervous because it seems that right now our fate is up in the air. There has been a lot of talk about moving to Texas, but a closer look at our financial situation plus me not having leads on a job (anywhere) yet is causing us to rethink our decision. However, even if we stay in the area we're not sure where to go yet, because job situation stuff may have us leave Newton anyway. So... the deal is that I'm working on getting my professional self together with much help from wonderful family members and taking it one step at a time.

Now, since I have done resume and cover letter work and am waiting to hear opinions from my own personal peanut gallery (no offense intended... thank you so much for your help Zak!) I think I will go and enjoy the silence. I have updates on just how much Declan can get himself into now... but I think that will have to wait.

Dear So and So

Dear Employers,
It would be really great if any of you would respond to my job applications. I put in the effort to fill out your paperwork and write personalized cover letters to you, and I haven't gotten a single thing back. From anyone. With my time and effort put in, is it so wrong to expect even a copy and paste rejection email?

Sigh,
What am I doing wrong?


Dear Austin (Texas) and anyone that lives there,
Do you have any jobs available for me? I think our plan (if we can get jobs that is) will be to move there July 1. Yikes that is soon! I would prefer a job that requires more than a high school diploma considering that I just got my Master's... but I'm not too hopeful right now.

Life is moving too fast,
Job Hunter

Dear Knot in my Stomach,
It would be really great if you went away. I know there has been a lot of stress around inviting you in, but I'm kicking you out. I'm taking deep breaths and I know that it will all work out just the way that it is supposed to... but you are not making things easier.

Done with you,
In -Out- In- Out

Home Again, Home Again...

So here we are... back at home, and I'm back at work. First I suppose I'll finish updating on the rest of our activities in Texas and then will get more back to my thoughts.

I left us off on Wednesday afternoon. First we went to lunch at ThunderCloud with KC and had some awesome subs. Then we checked out the Austin Children's Museum. I recommend it. It was really great for small ones that are still crawling or just walking. We spent Wednesday night having dinner with Zak, Lauren, and Austin at Z&L's apartment. We there had a delicious pizza dinner and learned more about who gets to take up more space in the apartment. (The answer is not actually Zak or Lauren... It is Zak's bikes) Declan met his new dog-brother, Marlowe, and we had a good time. Especially Declan, who found a new pet... or maybe he was supposed to be Marlowe's pet... I'm not really sure.

Thursday we grabbed Austin (of the person-variety, not the city-variety) and went house hunting. We saw some nice places and learned that we would probably be more interested in living in South Austin rather than the North, and can afford so much more than where we live now for the same price or less than what we pay for our current basement apartment. We had lunch at Chuy's and had so much good Mexican food. It perhaps deserves it's own post... thanks for the suggestion Laura! KC and the boys came over to Jill's for dinner so the little cousins got to play again.

Friday was our last full day in Austin. We spent the morning taking a three-hour hike with Declan in a hiking backpack. It was awesome and also deserves it's own post. Declan was great and had a fun time on Logan, Austin and my back... then my front where he took a nap. Since he had napped we went to lunch at Mr. Natural's, and then went back to Jill's to take a swim. Everyone came over for dinner, and we had a great enchilada casserole and tres leches cake.

Alas we had to leave Saturday morning. We took another plane back to Dallas. We went back to Logan's dad's house where Declan took a nap and we waited for Chuck and Jess to arrive from OK. They came and we all went to have a delicious sushi meal. (Although I never thought I would be the one to suggest sushi) After driving for a bit we found a really cool playground in West Dallas. It was kind of artsy... the play structures were more like fun sculptures that spun and bounced.

After our mini-trip back to Dallas, it was once again time to jump on a plane SUPER EARLY Sunday morning. Declan was good... but a little more fussy than the other plane rides. He was getting worn out for sure. He fell asleep in the last fifteen minutes of the plane ride only to have to wait around in the airport for four hours waiting for our layover flight. One more plane-ride and shuttle drive and we arrived home at last. Realizing we had no milk or food in the house, we hopped back in the car and got groceries. Back to real life.

And now I'm back at work and we are working on getting back to routine. Home again, home again, jiggedy jig.



Austin Children's Museum

TEXAS

So folks, we are smack in the middle of our trip to Texas, and while I have a moment I figured I would give a quick update for those missing us at home. Our trip has been absolutely wonderful so far. I'll try to give an overview, but sitting in the sunshine with my husband while our baby takes a nice nap may lead to some distractions.

Boston to Dallas. What can I say? I am so lucky to have such a wonderful child. Declan was so excited to be at the airport and amused everyone sitting around him by his popping up and down around the windows to look at the planes. Thank goodness the windows go down to the floor. I learned a lesson about nagging Logan... that sometimes it does have a point. After getting through security, I asked him (although I figured he had done what I had asked him and told me five times already) if he had packed the bottle in the carry-on or in the checked bag. He looked at me like a deer in headlights and admitted that he had totally forgotten a bottle at all. So no bottle for Declan on the plane. OK, so seemingly disaster one. We had purposely waited until after our trip to wean him off of a bottle. Well... it seems as though we were being pushed in a different direction. Declan is being weaned off of a bottle right now.

We were seated right behind another couple with a baby that was only a few weeks younger than Declan. So they had a great time looking at each other, grabbing each other's hands and playing. However, this meant that Declan did not go to sleep. For a long time. He had more energy than I have ever seen him have. He was looking up front, to the back, standing in our laps and then doing the most amazing flips that I have only ever seen a water mammal do before. Eventually he fell asleep (with only a sippy cup and no medication). He then slept for the rest of the plane ride.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH AN INFANT: Sippy cup or bottle for sure, some small toys though they only hold their attention for about two minutes and LOTS of snacks. I think Declan ate for about 2/3 of the plane rides and I think the chewing helped with his ears.

We then arrived in Dallas where we got to meet Logan's Dad and stepmom for the first time. We got to show off our beautiful, well behaved child, and it was a good time. We spent the next day going out to lunch with some of Logan's friends and then had dinner with Logan's family at his sister Jenny's house. We had some delicious pasta, and Declan got to play with his 5 year old cousin Abby and his 3 year old cousin Owen. They were adorable together, and it was really nice to see the dynamic between them.

That was Saturday. Sunday was a pretty chill day. We let Declan sleep as much as he wanted (and since he had been waking up the household at 2am screaming because of teething we were grateful for any moments of down time). We then went out with Jenny, Abby, and Cory and had a nice afternoon letting the kiddos run around at the playground and eating at Souper Salad. I have been hearing Logan talk about this place for a long time and was pretty happy we got to go and experience the buffet. The best part was Abby;s sharing. She came over to Declan with her vanilla ice cream cone. (Now, just a note... we really don't ever give Declan sugar at all, so this was a pretty rare treat) She had her cone and a spoon and would spoon little bites into Declan's mouth. It was adorable. Declan was in love.

Monday morning we met up with my cousin, Brendan for breakfast. We went to the Original Pancake House, which had Texas sized portions for sure. After a great meal, we dropped him off and packed the fastest possible to catch our plane to Austin. We got picked up by Logan's Aunt Jill and went to Freddie's Place for dinner. (I don't know if you have noticed a theme here, but eating is a pretty important part of our trip so far). There we met up with a bunch of people from Logan's family. After catching up, we needed to get the little man in bed, so we headed back to Jill and Dennis's house.

I don't know how to even describe their house and the view. It is like a hotel . They live right on the edge of a huge cliff overlooking a big forest, and their house is infused with nature. From the pool to the reading chairs next to the fireplace outside to our own guest house... I am in love. This house may have a pretty big affect in the decision to move or not.

Oh right! We are in decision making mode about moving now!

Yesterday, Tuesday, we went and saw (and I met for the first time) Logan's grandpa, and had a nice lunch with him. Declan was more interested in crawling under the piano while we were there than eating, but it all worked out. We met up with my friend Mat for dinner at the Green Mesquite and Declan fell in love again. He and mat clicked instantly and I'm pretty sure that Declan (and I for sure) was sad to see him go.

We have been spending our nights reading by the fireplace and our days exploring and taking down time by the pool. Declan has his own personal swing and sandbox, and loves getting to be outside all the time. We will be going to look at some houses tomorrow, and after the rest of our time here, we will have a discussion and make a decision about moving soon. So for now, I am going to go and enjoy the sunshine and my husband's company.

Love to all (both here and back home!)