Bonding times

I have been very lucky lately to have gotten to spend some 'bonding time' with my kids/grandkids. My last blogs show my trip to Austin. I have also gotten to go hiking with Rae in the mountains we love. That has always been one of our favorite activities - "I like to hike!" It is a great time to get away and talk about things that are close to our hearts: family, future plans and dreams. The outdoors and the exercise always leave us feeling renewed and invigorated.

I have also gotten to spend a lot of time with Kris, Ben and Em. We have gone on hikes as well out our back door with our little 'Hiker in Training' and our Glacier Jr Ranger. You'll have to ask Kris about our hike with Ben, he remembers having a great time; it was quite interesting. Em is a real go-getter with her head ahead of her feet at times and Ben keeps us entertained.

Au Revoir Austin, Contd

It was hard to leave the little family behind, but so good to look forward to the next visit. I can't wait to see Lareine crawling great guns and really getting into mischief. Won't she have fun with her cousins.

Au Revoir Austin

I wanted to include more pics from my trip so you can see what a great time we had and all we accomplished.

Lareine really captured my heart and it brought back so many memories of when I was in that position, a young mom having so much fun with each of my children as they went through those exciting times when each day brought some new discovery and they wanted nothing more than being with the ones they love (besides eating, sleeping, and playing). It was really fun to relive those days for just a little while. Thanks to Beth and Reid for letting me have such a precious little window into their lives.

Austin Bound

I had a great trip to Austin to visit the new Texans. I got to play to my hearts content with Little Lily, my little sweetheart. We wrestled, played peekaboo, read stories, snuggled went on walks/runs and had a fantastic time. To say the least, we bonded.

I loved getting to visit with Beth and Reid and help them get just a little more settled in. We worked on projects: curtains, pillows, painting walls and even some alterations. We talked and laughed and talked and cried and had the best time. We ate well: Mr Gatti's pizza, Texas barbeque, cheesecake and a great roast beef, potatoes and carrots Sunday dinner. I got to go to Institute and Church with them and be there when Beth got her new calling. I got to see Lareine get so excited every time her Dad came home.

We went to a UT tailgate party all attired in burnt orange, gras a Beth and Reid. We went swimming at their apt pool, Lareine and I went twice and Beth got to come along once. I got Lareine to myself when I got to babysit and we had play time, swim time, bath time and bed time.