Uncle Ted in Texas!

We were fortunate enough to get to hang out with Uncle Ted and Aunt Rachel when they came down to the Lone Star State for work and a wedding this month.  They came down to Corpus the first weekend, and we made the short drive up to San Antonio the next.  It's always good to see them, and we wish it happened more often these days.  Needless to say, the boys thoroughly enjoyed trying to wear out Ted, and almost succeeded a few times with the trampoline.  But it's all good, because he's preparing himself for the arrival of his own sure-to-be overly-energetic and exhaustion inducing boy.  So this was the last time we'll see them without the new cousin here!

New parents... due in May!

Can't come to Portland and not hit the beach.

 Always Paul.

 

Water guns and anything utilized to beat up Uncle Ted.

Get in the freezing water!

Even Nolan wanted to hang out.

 Walking the beach.

Looking for dolphins down by the bay.

Checking out the aquarium shows.

So glad they made it, even if just for a short time.  Hopefully we'll get to meet the newest cousin this summer!

It's Grandpa Bill again!

Every now and then, Grandpa Bill gets to come down and hang out with us.  He picked a good time of year to come, but unfortunately Texas got hit with some ice storms and colder weather, so it wasn't much of a winter escape from Montana for him.  After a delay in Houston, he finally made it down, and of course, made it to the beach.  We took the ferry across to Port Aransas and hit the beach shops and the water... not too bad for February.

The native Texan with the native Marylander.

Farrah was a fan... but she'll love anyone who gives her any kind of attention.

Gotta hit the water.

And get a little sand-covered.

Son #1.

Nolan with his "tough guy" face.

Another great visit, and we know he'll be back again soon! 

Is it Summer yet?

Well, it feels like Spring anyway.  Winter didn't stay long in Texas.  The sun has been shining, the air is warm, and it's all around been beautiful.  The boys have been out playing in the yard and jumping on the trampoline as often as we force them to.  Nolan, in particular, seems to enjoy the yard and throwing a ball around.  Oh, to be a one year old...

 

Is that Adam pushing the car? This may not be the best idea...

I guess we should enjoy it while it lasts!  It won't be long before the heat and humidity comes back, but for now, we'll just be outside...

The Winter so far...

The winter so far has been an up and down sort of thing.  Some days it feels like summer, other days it feels like Montana.  But overall, it's been fairly mild and mostly beautiful.  The boys have been enjoying themselves, as always.  Paul is probably half way done with first grade, Adam is the goofball he's always been, and Nolan keeps us all entertained on a daily basis.  Here are the phone pics we've taken so far from Fall into Winter...

 

Made the Honor Roll.

Grew some... tomatoes?

Looked fabulous.

Fought off bucket-head zombies.

Used a stick.

 

Led the charge. 

 

Went for a swim. 

Had a Texas-sized waffle.

Met a new cousin in Missouri.

Hung out with the Sellers and Millers.

Lounged around.

Made some holiday cookies.

Didn't clean our faces.

Got a dog. 

Swam in toys.

Annoyed the dog.

Lived in the driveway.

Cleaned up.

Got dirty again.

Played around.

Enjoyed the weather.

Acted like six year olds.

Got a Christmas wreath.

Wore our Christmas jammies.

Built some Legos... a lot of Legos.

Bounced ourselves half to death.

Rocked the chair.

Pretended we were really cats.

Strapped our boots on.

Got a haircut... weren't too happy about it.

It's been eventful, and there will be more to come before spring arrives, we're sure of it!