Austin 2014

Mikey and I took a little vacation with Jasn and Sandi a few weeks ago to Austin, Texas. Home of Austin City Limits (huge music festival) and home to my Aunt Gail & Uncle Thomas. Four days without kids started at the airport sipping on beer...

Weather was in the 80's and we took advantage of the outdoors. The shows didn't start until afternoon so we were able to spend time with Aunt Gail & Uncle Thomas downtown Austin for lunch and shopping.

Friday we saw Foster the People and Beck, among other artists.

We didn't buy passes for Saturday. Instead, we visited Aunt Gail & Uncle Thomas' land where they have this amazing house where they host 'house concerts' for local artists.

They designed the entire house themselves and have three bedrooms to house the artists while they are in town.

Beautiful land with a river running through it

Uncle Thomas insisted we stage this pic...love their playfulness

Sunday we went to a famous local spot call the Pit. Hence...

Delicious southern comfort food where you BYOB. Yes, please.

Sunday we saw the Kongos, Fitz & the Tantrums, the Replacements, Lourde and Pearl Jam!

Austin is a gorgeous and fun city. Could definitely see us living there. But since we don't, I'm more than happy to continue visiting our gracious hosts :)

Meanwhile, the girls spent several days with their grandparents in Ft. Wayne and then my parents picked them up and brought them back to Indy for some special time together. These two cuties are so fortunate to have family that loves them so much. Thanks for the help to all our parents!

Crazy Family Fun...

Mike's cousins from Wisconsin paid us a weekend visit and let's just say it was such a fun weekend spent outdoors. Saturday we went to a pumpkin festival...

The girls adore their cousin, Brecklyn

Aunt Jane, Katy, Chris, Michelle & Josh on a hayride

Long walks along the Monon Trail

At the last minute we decided to go to a dress-up party in the neighborhood...and pulled off these fantastically awesome costumes. Men's relay swim team, school girl, Royal princess and Bumblebee. We brought the life to the party, and had an incredible time. Boys ran home (barefoot) at the end of the night and the next morning we relived all the funny shenanigans. Had the best weekend with these fools and looking forward to seeing them in January to do it all over again!

Horsin' Around...

A little of what we've been up to lately...

We live on what used to be a very large horse farm and there are still many acres surrounding us filled with horses and their stables. A fun outing we have is riding our bikes down the Monon Trail to visit these two cuties.

There is also a polo farm nearby that hosts polo matches each weekend throughout the summer and Fall. We met up with the Moosbruggers (who grew up with horses and currently live on a horse farm as well) to catch the last match of the season. Was a beautiful Fall day.

These two boys are two peas in a pod. Mike and Eric have a special bond that's fun to be around. Love these two guys.

Oscar & Jude...sporty little dudes

Meeting a player

A flyover dropping bags of goodies for the kiddos

My people

Both girls are digging games of any type these days. Caught these two playing "Go Princess" one evening before bedtime.

Annual Finish Line golf outing this year...first time not volunteering but playing this year! I was pretty proud of my drives and had to capture this sequence to send to my dad. His response? "You've got potential, kid!" I'm 37 years old and still wanting to please my dad :)

Lots of playing outside on the warmer days. My bathing beauties.

This Fall Laney has become quite close with our neighbor (and classmate), Carly. They play so well together and have playdates almost every weekend. Love watching their friendship blossom.

Daddy hung a hammock under our deck this summer and the girls love snuggling in it

We hosted a block party in September and had a HUGE turnout. Bounce house, bike parade and beer bonging. You know, the usual shenanigans.

My last competition of the season was in October with my year-long teammates.

I'm more comfortable upside down :)

This was our 3rd year competing in this competition and we finally podium'd!!! Third place finish and we are very happy with that!

Izzy, Laney and Caroline living in the moment. Happy girls.

Soaking up these smooches while they last...until she's too embarrassed to do this in public with her mommy.

Izzy drew this picture of me and I just adore it

Picnic in the park with daddy

One of the Perfect Strangers got married (yes, married, GEESH!) and we had a little PS reunion all gussied up.

Living the dream in suburbia