Strawberry Farm

Today we went to a local farm to pick fresh strawberries. The weather was just perfect. When you arrive you get a strawberry pail and go out to the field to pick your strawberries. 

Alexis and Allen

 Such a great tree. 

Alexis picking some strawberries 

The strawberries we took home. They are so yummy 

Afterwards we did a little shopping at their market and bought some fresh produce. 

A fun Saturday. 

Brazos Bend State Park

We found this great park that is only thirty minutes from us. We spent all day on Friday enjoying the beautiful weather. 

When we got to the park we toured the nature center. We were able to pet a baby alligator. After the tour we had a picnic lunch by Elm Lake. 

View from our picnic lunch

Alexis is ready for our walk around the lake

The park is so beautiful

Lake view

We saw a lot of these signs

And a lot of these alligators. They were just sitting in the sun on the side of the path. Crazy. 

Close up shot. I thought it would be scary to see an alligator but really it wasn't so bad. 

Love these trees. 

It was such a relaxing day. Looking forward to doing it again. 

San Antonio Trip

January has always been a hard month.  After the anticipation of the of the holidays, the holidays and all the time off it is hard to start a new year.  It always seems like months until you will have any time off from work.  So years ago Allen and I decided to go on a short vacation in January.  We always went to Las Vegas.  (As a side note, the two least expensive/busy weekends in Las Vegas are the third weekend in January and the weekend after Labor Day).  After living in Vegas I am not excited to go back anytime soon. So we decided to start exploring Texas.  We spent four days in San Antonio last weekend.

We left on a Thursday afternoon.  It took about 3 1/2-4 hours to get there.  We had to stop a few times to let Alexis walk around.  She loves trying out her new walking skills.

We stayed at the Hotel Contessa on the Riverwalk. It was dinner time when we arrived so we found a Mexican restaurant     

Allen and Alexis enjoying some chips

She loves eating out. 

On Friday we were up early at 5am. We played in our room and had some room service. 

Alexis enjoying the view of the river from our room. 

After breakfast we headed out to explore the town. It was a beautiful very brisk morning. We checked out many of the shops and restaurants. We decided to visit the Alamo. So unassuming in the middle of town. 

The Alamo

All bundled up. We watched a great film (15 mins) on the history of The Alamo. Alexis took a nap:)

Lunch time. We found an American food place and sat outside by the river. Allen and Alexis having fun. 

After lunch we went back to our room. Alexis decided not to nap. It was relaxing to play in the room until it was time for dinner. 

Mexican food again of course:). Alexis was great with all the people. The mariiachi band didn't phase her. 

She enjoyed some beans and rice. Eating right off Daddy's plate. Which he loves:)

We were all asleep by 7:30pm. On Saturday we ate breakfast at the hotel restaurant.  Then went out for another beautiful walk. 

Trevor met us at our hotel room. We spent the day together. We went to lunch at an Italian restaurant. Great outside seating again. Alexis ate tons of food. Not sure where she puts it. 

Allen, Alexis, Trevor and the river

Allen and Alexis

Trevor and Jessica

After lunch we warmed up in our hotel bar. Alexis got to practice walking. 

Alexis trying to escape...but Uncle Trevor is there

We tried once again to get Alexis to take an afternoon nap. Allen watched her while Trevor and I checked out the rooftop heated pool and spa. 

Trevor enjoying the pool

We went back to the bar until it was time for dinner. Then we found another Mexican restaurant. 

Jessica and Alexis

Trevor and Allen having fun

Family picture by the river

The river. This was one of the few places with a railing. This would never happen in California. 

Allen and Alexis

We said good night to Trevor and went to bed. Sunday was another early day. Breakfast at the hotel then on the road home. We had such a great trip and loved seeing Trevor. 

Christmas 2015

I was so excited for Christmas this year.  I knew Alexis really wouldn't know what was going on but that she would at least be involved. Last Christmas she was only a month old.  About a week before Christmas my Mom, Allen and I all got sick with Bronchitis.  We were sick for over two weeks:(  I made us all wear surgical masks so Alexis would not get sick. Luckily she did not get sick.

I was serious about the masks:)

Thankfully I mailed all my gifts the day before I got sick.  And I am so thankful for the internet so I could buy the rest of my gifts I needed.

The Mom's group I am part of arranged for a Santa for our group.  It was such a great way for Alexis to see Santa.  No lines at the mall!

 She was not so happy when she first sat on his lap

 No tears..looking looking super cute

Jessica, Alexis, Nancy and Allen with Santa

I didn't know how long it would take to get the pictures from our Santa visit so we took this one when we got home.  Alexis is such a ham.

 I have always wanted lights on the outside of the house.  I hired someone to hang them.

View of our tree in the window

My brother Trevor came for Christmas.  I feel bad because we were sick we were not a really fun bunch. We were in bed by 7pm every night.  He helped me put together a drum set my Dad gave Alexis. Only took us three tries to get the base drum right.

 Santa just arrived and left all these great toys

Christmas morning!

We waited until after Alexis took her morning nap to open gifts.  Yes I know it will never be like this again:)  Danielle was on Skype with us so she could be part of the holiday.

 Trevor and Nancy opening gifts

Alexis was so mellow all morning. She sat with Allen and just observed.  It was cute

Playing on her rocking horse. She is still not sure about it. She does like making it talk (if you squeeze the ears it sings and talks to you)

 She loves her Minnie Mouse car.  We take turns pushing her around the house

Gift from Grandpa Greg. She loves playing the drums.  We moved it to her bedroom and it is the first toy we play with every morning.

Merry Christmas!  It was 80 degrees on Christmas.

 A gift from Jack.  It is finger puppets of all the Sesame Street characters.  Super cute.

 Lady bug outfit from Aunt Danielle

Playing with a gift from Santa

For Christmas dinner we had the usual...ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and stuffing. Dessert was a very yummy apple crisp pie from Costco.  Thank you to Trevor for helping me cook.

Thank you to everyone who mailed us gifts...we are so blessed and appreciate all of our family and friends. 

There won't be a blog about New Year's Eve 2015...we were all sick and in bed by 7pm.  Nothing exciting there:(  Looking forward to an amazing 2016!