Grandaddy's 85th Birthday

On October 5th my grandaddy turned 85!  The next weekend we headed to Houston to celebrate.  We had a family birthday party complete with BBQ and the most delicious desserts.  We took the opportunity to take some fun family pictures too.

Dessert and beer

Delicious desserts - mom made a wonderful chocolate cake and we got a chocolate meringue and lemon meringue (Grandaddy's favorite) from House of Pies

One great big family picture

Grandaddy with his grandchildren

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Son and daughter

The girls enjoy riding Mack but he prefers to lay down when they're doing it.  Luckily he doesn't seem to mind.

Our family with Grandaddy

Steven's family with Grandaddy

Aunt Lenna and Uncle Bob with Grandaddy

"Discussion" about the last few combinations for pictures

Hope with her Papa John

Watching the kiddos playing

Hill Country Retreat

A few weeks ago Katie and Derek puppy sat and Vince and I headed to Marble Falls for a night.  We spent some time reflecting on what God has done in the last two years and where we are headed next.  We also had a Travelzoo deal for the Fall Creek Vineyard.  We spent time touring and tasting and taking a few pictures...

This is a random picture but when we tell you that Mack thinks he's a lap dog, it's true...this happens all the time!

At the winery

Beautiful trees along the drive way

Overlook along Lake LBJ on the way back toward Marble Falls

Sometimes it amazes me that we live somewhere so beautiful

Dutchies in Austin

So in August John, Vicky, Gerard, and Desiree (or as we affectionately call them, the Dutchies) came to Austin.  They stopped by Texas after a trip to the Northeast.  They were only downtown for one night but we made it fun.  We started out at the Draught House, then headed to Iron Cactus.  After that Gerard and Desiree turned in but we hung with John and Vicky for a bit longer at the Elephant Room for some jazz music.  It was so much harder saying goodbye this time because we don't know when we'll see each other again.  I will learn to skype though!  Here are some pictures...

The Draught House

We took them for Mexican food at Iron Cactus on Sixth Street