Back in Austin just long enough to get re-acclimated to CST, and then off to a stay-cation to celebrate Brian Hack turning 40. It was a surprise for him, which made it fun. Meghan had quite the weekend planned out: day at the South Congress Hotel Pool, the most amazing dinner at Otoko, spend the night (kidless) at South Congress Hotel, followed by brunch, more pool time, dinner at June's, and a party at The Golden Goose with a larger group of friends. We were spent afterwards but had the best time. Forty hours celebrating forty years!
The kiddos did gymnastics camp for a week at Champions. It was actually really cute - they both had fun, and I didn't have to run all over town doing various drop offs/pick ups.
Then off to Houston to visit Daddy. A quick 24 hour trip, but it was fun for the kids to have a change of scenery - they tend to thrive on that.
Then we kicked off the start of school. Hip hip hooray for routines! Structure! Early bed time!
Heading into one of the best dinners of my life.
The birthday boy and his amazing wife. Great party planner!
Our meal at Otoko was 22 courses and paired with sake. There are only about 10 seats around the sushi bar - the most amazing, intimate experience. So intimate that I felt like I had to sneak this photo. There weren't really any opportunities to take other photos.
And Justin one sneaky pic... our view. The sushi chef was a true artist.
Frozen drinks poolside: yes please!
Our attempt at a selfie. How do those young kids make it look so easy?
Meanwhile, Laura and Kiki watched these two monkeys.
Kiki took them to Hadley Greager's birthday party, complete with a petting zoo.
... and silly friends,
View of South Congress from the South Congress Hotel pool.
A painting hanging in the hotel gym at South Congress.
When we got home on Sunday, we were a little beaten up from too little sleep and too much fun. We insisted that we all take naps Sunday afternoon. Eleanor wrote me and Justin tickets/violations: "Mom stayed up too late." Yes, indeed, Eleanor.
Fun dinner at Clark's with Nana.
Farmer's market fun. They had a scavenger hunt for kids to complete. After complete, they received coupons for free popsicles.
A suite at The Round Rock Express game, thanks to Texas National Title. Sometimes my job has perks!
Eleanor meets a new friend, Georgia, at the game. Georgia (my boss's daughter) will attend Mathews 1st grade starting in October. Fun that Eleanor will be able to show her around and help her make new friends.
Checking out the game up close...
Spike, the mascot, make an appearance in our suite:)
When Mommy has to work, Daddy takes kids to an arcade (aka brave soul). Justin actually had this exact arcade game in his first apartment in Chicago.
Off to Houston to visit Daddy "at work." You realize just how much Daddy travels when you realize your room is this one...
Fisher testing out his bed.
Sister too...
We hung out at the pool - all to ourselves - while Daddy worked.
Pork chopping
Cutest dinner dates ever.
Then off to dessert. Progressive meal.
Abbreviated version of the zoo on before heading back to Austin.
Play date at Austin Bouldering Project with Fisher's best bud from Athena - Charlie DeFrank. These two are going to miss being at the same school this year.
We hit up the Austin Central Public Library, right before Times Magazine named it one of the Greatest Places in the World. I tend to agree... it's gorgeous and incredibly unique. Definitely not the stuffy libraries I grew up in.
Our FIRST grader!
Even though it wasn't Fisher's first day, he escorted her to school.
Riding her bike to school for the first time. A big girl, with a real bike lock!
Mazilla, the school mascot.
Mrs. Lish
Fish still had 2 more days of summer with mom. Off for a bike ride on the boardwalk while I ran...
The day is here! My kids are at the same school again! All day! No car required!
(only one of us cried at dropoff...)
Mrs. McMillan
What better way to celebrate the first week of school under our belts than an adult boat outing. Austin in August = being in any type of water in order to survive the heat.
Speaking of August heat... you know it's not safe to be outside when a rubber ball melts on your pool deck. Pool also hit a whopping 105 degrees. So we now have a very large hot tub.
July was extra special for us. While we loved all of our travels and fun summer activities, our trip to Seattle and San Juan Island was the most memorable. I'm not sure I can remember a vacation (with kids) that literally brings tears to my eyes when I think back about all we experienced together. Nancy Fisk was hands down the MVP of that trip, the best hostess ever... showing us both the local and tourist versions of Seattle. And it was so so heartwarming to see my kids spend quality time with our cousins, Charlie and Billy.
Happy Birthday, America! Off to Pensacola to celebrate the 4th with the Thomases.
The result of "Fisher, if you take a little nap on the plan, you can play with your iPad afterwards." That sweet face is going to be in Pre-K in just a month from now. Cue the emotional Mama.
Kids' seats for the fireworks. It rained leading up to it, but after a brief rain delay, the fireworks did not disappoint!
Cousin James and watermelon... what could be better for Fisher?!
We wasted no time getting to the beach.
The water and sky are real, so are our smiles:)
Beach bum.
Bama and Papa with their grands. Missing Elizabeth and Thomas:(
Summer garden finally started to produce harvest. Little bitty green pepper!
And the beginning of a cucumber. We didn't fare so well with cucumbers this year.
Dinner and ice cream outing with Eleanor's friend, Francesca, and her family.
A teenager in the making...
All about the accessories.
We made it to Seattle!! After a super early wake up and super early flight, we insisted on a nap. Daddy and Fisher napped just like at home - together on the couch. But here they stepped it up with a sectional!
Rested and ready to get after it! First stop: a very VIP tour of the Space Needle with the one and only Sally Wright. What a special treat!
The Space Needle, in all her glory.
Boys played bags in The Fisks' front yard
Meanwhile, Eleanor colors on the front stoop. My heart is FULL.
Fisher very proud and excited that Cousin Charlie had matching "fast pants"
Pike Place Market. Eleanor's expression is indicative of just how excited she was to be there.
Gum wall... ewwwwwww!
Olympic Sculpture Park
The best version of a country club that I know! The Fisks' Tennis Club was right on the lake. Eleanor had a blast going of the high dive.
Mount Ranier showing off:)
Our kids are obsessed with "teenagers" and whisper the word when they say it like it's an over the top celebrity. So naturally, Eleanor took a liking to Lexie, Billy and Charlie's cousin.
Lexie was sweet enough to watch the kiddos so that adults could hang
Fish with his big boy cousins. Total infatuation.
Golden Gardens Park... Justin actually ran into a old colleague there.
So fun to go out on Dave and Sal's boat. Fisher opted to stay back at their house while Eleanor ventured out with the adults.
Monopoly
Chihuly. Stunning work. We did the super abbreviated tour since we had 2 antsy toddlers in tow.
Next up: Museum of Pop Culture. We went mostly for the Nirvana exhibit, which was super cool.
Heat wave in Seattle = snow cones
E+F driving the "train."
A stroll to the bottom of The Fisks hill and we were quickly at their friend's house boat, complete with paddle boards for adults and floating trampoline for the munchkins. Everyone was happy!
Our transportation to San Juan Island - what an experience to ride on a sea plane!
Views in every direction
Our digs for the week.
First stop, hit up our private beach. The call this Afterglow Beach - very fitting. The colors are unreal.
Nanc and her sweet boys.
Surrounded by amazing natural beauty everywhere. Eleanor, our Nature Girl, was in heaven: wild animals, flowers, water, mountains, fruit bushes, sea life... the absolute best.
Silly boys
Ice cream night cap
The bunk room immediately transformed to the fort room. This trip was a BIG milestone for Eleanor. She's usually very particular about sleeping by herself, not comfortable with slumber parties. The first night at the Fisks, she announced that she wanted to sleep with all of the boys and have a cousin slumber party. I gave it about a 10% success rate, thinking she would end up in a space of her own by the end of the night. She proved us wrong! I think it's a big testament about how much she adored her big boy cousins.
A drive around the island - Driftwood Beach
Whale watching! Not only did we see whales, but also seals, bald eagles, exotic Italian sheep.
Westcott Bay Oyster Farm. Yum!
My shucking hubby
Fuzzy pic, but super cool to see a very rare silver tail fox, right outside our rental house.
The playground at the resort
Parents' view while kids played
The boy loves ribs.
Walk home from dinner.
And we stumble upon blackberry bushes. Ripe for the pickin'!
Blackberry lips:)
See ya later, Roche Harbor... thanks for the memories.
Kids chose the first "row."
Back in Seattle - up in the ferris wheel
Another pit stop at Pike's Place to grab some Elleno's Greek Yogurt
