Memorial Day Weekend

Ahh, a long holiday weekend!  We didn't do anything "memorial" but we definitely enjoyed the time off and enjoyed an American holiday that we have missed for three years. 

We started the weekend at Barton Springs pool.  Matt swam laps in preparation for the CapTexTri triathlon.  Me, Pa, and the kids enjoyed the shade and an Austin original scene. (I would like to remind the record that Jack picks out his own clothes with very forceful opinions.  I am sure he will blame me for these outfits in 15 years.)

Matt & Ainsley in the cold water:

This is Ainsley trying on Matt's wet suit:

Monday was Matt's triathlon race.  The race was downtown and I took the kids to see Matt during the run portion of his race.

The kids anxiously awaiting to see their dad:

YAY DADDY!!!

After the race:

Our Garden

We are lucky to live with a master gardener - Pa!  Not only is our lawn beautiful and full of flowers, bushes, and trees that look amazing but we also have food growing in our yard.  It is a fact that none of these things would be alive if Matt and I were in charge.  Here are a few of the exciting treats we have growing in our yard...

Tomato plants:

 A close up of the budding tomatoes:

Mint bush:

Peach tree:

Close up of the delicious fruit that will turn into peach cobbler later this summer:

Pomegranate tree:

So many pomegranates!

Apple tree (not producing any fruit yet but has flowers):

Garden plot with watermelon and pumpkin planted ... we are excited to watch them grow!

All in an easy day's work for Pa! 

Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day

This week the kids celebrated Cinco de Mayo at their school.  There was a performance by each class and then lots of Mexican food and sweets afterwards.  Unfortunately my pictures of the performance turned out horrible because we were in the back (seeking shade from the hot afternoon sun) and the kids were under a blue awning that made the pictures dark.  It seems like I always have an excuse for bad pictures at school performances.  Maybe one of these days  I will actually prepare better and take some good pictures!

Matt before the performance started:

Kara and Jack's class -- this is the first time that both of them actually stayed on stage for a class performance!  Kara did the whole dance...Jack stood near the wall and looked at the paint, but at least he stayed on stage for once! (click on the picture to enlarge so you can actually see Kara and Jack):

 Kara with Matt after the performance (that is lipstick all over her lips):

Ainsley dancing with her friends on stage:

Snacks/cake afterwards:

On Saturday Matt rode in a 100 mile bike ride to Shiner, Texas (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal, GASP).  Ainsley and I drove there to see him finish and to bring him back to Austin:

For Mother's day we enjoyed a nice Sunday.  The kids slept in until a glorious 7:40am(!), Matt let me have my coffee in bed, then off to church and lunch, and then some of our good friends came over in the afternoon for swimming and dinner. 

Mother's day is a good day to reflect on how blessed we are to have our children, and how lucky I am to be a mom to three great kids :-)

Cousin Time

Kevin and his kids came to Austin for a visit.  Fun was had by all!

The only group shot I got included Jack having a fit.  He refused to cooperate...nap time was a bit overdue :-)

 

From left to right: Jack (2), Mason (8 this month), Madison (4), Ainsley (4), McKenzie (11), Kara (2)