First Cabin Trip

We celebrated Erik's birthday at a cabin with our very good friends Patti, Tony and their baby Cecilia (she is just 10 days younger than Stella). We celebrated Patti and Tony's birthdays, too, as they were right around the same time.

It looks like we were miles and miles from home, but we were only 45 minutes from Austin (if that). Lost Pines is truly "lost" - a crazy stretch of beautiful tall pines out in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. And I was shocked by Bastrop State Park. I can already feel the tradition coming on...

We grilled out over the community fire pit on the first night. Here the men are getting it all ready.

The girls chilled.

We had breakfast on the porch every morning (note the cute high chairs).

Cecilia was lovin' the yogurt.

Tony had many hammock adventures.

The girls practiced sharing...

...while Patti learned a chord or two...

...before baby duty.

We lunched on the porch, as well.

In Daddy's hat.

There were many naps with babies in the hammock.

Happy Birthday, Daddy...and to everyone else, too.

San Francisco

Little Cathey and I crashed Daddy's business trip to San Francisco. We had two days to explore together before Cathey and I were on our own. For those of you who know San Francisco, we stayed close to Union Square and I highly recommend staying in that area - soooo convenient to everything. Thanks to our neighbor Curtis for great walking tour recommendations.

We started in Union Square...

Walked up through Chinatown...

The Wok Shop

Continued up to North Beach and Little Italy

Ate at THE best Italian deli in which I've ever been...

Stopped for coffee at Cafe Stella (for obvious reasons)

Stella had her "coffee", too.

Continued up to the water where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge (barely... See it?).

And took a trolley back.

The next day we hit the insanely amazing farmers market at the Ferry Building (on Saturdays).

Blue Bottle Coffee...

Let's just say that I went to every location...multiple times...

And then we spent the rest of the day with Erik's sister and her family in Golden Gate Park. I can't believe I don't have any pictures from that... Seriously??

The next morning we had a bath with Daddy at the hotel before he ran off to the conference. The view was amazing from the 26th floor of the Parc 55 Hotel.

Having a sack lunch at Union Square.

Making friends with the other "conference kids".

The night of our anniversary - room service of burgers, fries and the Daily Show...with no talking because Stella was asleep in the Ergo. It's the little things (like TV because we don't have one).

And then we visited our good friend, Ben. Stella is unsure about posing for a picture..

She thinks about escaping...

But Ben wins her over...

And over...

And over. Hilarious. Thanks for a great day, Ben.

All in all, it was a really great trip, and it was the right decision to go - much better than being alone for a week and away from Erik during our anniversary. I have found that Stella really enjoys being on the move more than anything else.

Baseball Season

It's baseball season and we had our first practice.

Doh, where'd it go?

Work for it...

Good recovery.

Throw it in! Follow it through!

Look at 'er go! Nice one!



Eatin' sunflower seeds.

With a little bit of hand...

Always keep your eye on the ball! And be as cute as possible.

Easter Catch-up

We had a very small Easter gathering this year. Sadly, there is a family feud that has interrupted larger holiday gatherings, but Stella still had a very nice first Easter.

Waiting for company to arrive.

Still waiting (they got held up)...

I adopted the German Easter tradition of hanging egg ornaments (these are chocolate).

Stella's first Easter basket. The stuffed animals were ones my mom was keeping for her before she passed.

Lavender champagne and lavender iced tea...yum.

Part of the spread (minus the strata and bacon - "bacon's good").

Lemon blueberry bundt cake from scratch.

Goodies from our favorite local bakery, Quack's.

She had a nice Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Fahrenthold.

And a few days later was visited by a giant bunny from Nana.

Flowers

Spring in Austin is truly amazing, especially when there isn't a drought. We love our bluebonnets here in Texas...

Where's Baby Girl?

With Stella's little buddy, Cecilia.

Play nice, girls...

And I just have to end with the trip on our new light rail in Austin...

...because of this picture.

And because the flowers are amazing there, too.