Riding for the MS Society

Michael is participating in his first ever fundraiser! In an effort to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, he is registered for the BP MS 150 Houston to Austin bike ride on April 16-18th of 2010.

Not only is he excited to fulfill a personal challenge but he is also doing it to raise awareness and funds to help the National MS Society. This cause helps to fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives.

For more information on MS and what the society does, click here.

Michael will be cycling on Team Shell alongside his brothers Alex and Dwayne from Houston to Austin. These guys are great competitors and friends. If you want to show Michael your support, post a comment, give him a call, send him an email, or make a donation here, no matter the size.

We'll keep you posted on his progress and the event as it gets closer. Thanks for your love and support.

Snow flurries in Texas

It has recently turned cold here in Austin. Last week we were covering up the marigolds and shrubs in the front flower beds because we were experiencing freezing temperatures overnight. And then in the news they announced the weather forecast you rarely hear in Central or South Texas - Friday had a chance of snow... Local schools and businesses asked people to keep a watch on the weather forecast and be aware of possible delays, slow starts or closures. My local facebook friends were plotting a day inside with hot chocolate and Christmas movies. Snow in Texas! It was exciting! We had an ice storm in central TX three years ago and then there was a good snowfall here five years ago. So these 'precious' moments come few and far between. When Friday morning was just plain cold and with nothing to call home about, it seemed like the snowy forecast wasn't going to be so. Life went on as usual. I addressed some Christmas letters (if you're reading this you'll likely get one soon!) and upon finishing, got the girls ready so that we could walk to the mailbox before the mail carrier arrived. We bundled up, put on shoes, coats, hats and gloves then got Lexi in the stroller ready to leave. Savannah likes to help push the stroller most days. Then as we opened the door, we stepped outside to snow flurries. What luck! The girls and I were fortunate to be outside for the complete fifteen minutes that the Austin area saw snow last week. In the time that it took us to walk to the mailbox and then meander back home, the flurries were done and the sun was shining brightly again. Such is Texas weather! It didn't last long so we missed out on the pics but it was fun to have snow for a few brief moments and see the looks on my girls faces as they were taking it all in.

more fun at the park

I love capturing the expressions of wonder and fun as Savannah takes in the world! So Alexandra was definitely happier in the warm stroller, but who can pass up a cute pic of two babies in a swing?! Pretty soon they won't both fit.

Thanksgiving in Houston

We sure had a nice time with the family in Houston this past Thanksgiving. The food was delicious and abounding (especially desserts - my favorite), the company was great, and we got to meet some new faces as well as see some familiar ones. Michael especially enjoyed his time with his brothers as he, Dwayne, and Alex went cycling every morning. Who knew Houston has such nice cycling trails?! All three are training to ride in the MS150 next year in April; so they have lots of endurance training to do. Savannah especially enjoyed squealing with her cousin Kioni and playing with her toys and things. With her it seems like other kids' toys are always better than her own. She also enjoyed playing at the park, climbing the stairs, taking baths and going for walks with her cousin and the doggies. Lexi was practically perfect the whole time too. Well almost! At one point I left the girls with the aunties for a short time (to bring a spare key to the bikers who had locked a car key in the car :-) ) and about twenty minutes before I made it back, my usually quiet and happy Alexandra was screaming mad and wanted to eat right that moment. So I got the update phone call and hurried back to nurse the little one. Five minutes after she had calmed down, her aunty's ears were still ringing from Lexi's hollering. She's such a screamer, her poor aunty's had seriously considered introducing Lexi to solid food in an attempt to make her happy! Yes, my Lexi is practically perfect but she is a fast food baby - when she wants to eat, she wants to eat now. No ifs ands or buts! I'm grateful to Kiki for watching the girls and for doing everything humanly possible to keep 'em happy. :-) I enjoyed a lot about this trip. Probably my favorite part was sneaking away with my sisters Kiki and Kina to enjoy a movie. Lexi came with us too and slept through the entire movie. We weren't out for very long since we were all tired from all the preparation for the holiday feast, but we certainly enjoyed our time together. I think that we will have to do that again for sure.

Funny Daddy

Michael can get Alexandra giggling these days and it's so much fun.

Fall pictures at the park

Sometimes we have perfect weather and are able to capture beautiful moments... hence these cute pics. Savannah has learned to say "walk" and "swing" - so since the temps have cooled, us girls have enjoyed time at many of the local parks on nearly a daily basis. I don't know who enjoys our outdoor time more, me or the girls...

Sweet Berry Farm

It has been hardwired into my psyche that every fall pumpkin patches should be visited for fun harvest pictures and for hand-selecting the best pumpkins for Jack-0-lantern carving before Halloween. However, considering that our girls are quite young AND that we were too busy/tired prior to the holiday; we improvised a little and we beat the crowd this year... Thanks to our local grocer for the pumpkin and our great friend Dani for sharing the push-pin jack-0-lantern face parts, Savannah was able to do a "Mr. Potato Head" style pumpkin this year. It was a great, no mess and fun way to decorate a pumpkin with an eighteen-month old! We did get a cute "harvest" picture taken as a family at our church holiday party. The irony is that the pic is so zoomed in that you can't tell we were sitting on bales of hay and next to an adorable scarecrow scene... Okay back on point, so I mentioned that we beat the crowd...who would've thought that farms with pumpkin patches extend the holiday, therefore we were able to make a trip to Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, Texas on Sunday afternoon. It's always fun to go to new places and watch Savannah take in the world around her. We enjoyed walking through the kid corn maze, taking a hay ride, watching the farm animals, going on a pony ride, and of course capturing as many moments on camera as possible. It was a gorgeous day (hence the overexposed bright pics) and we all had a great time together as a family. We're looking forward to next spring when we'll be heading back to the farm for berry season where we can pick our own strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Yum.