Archive | family

… and we’re back!

November 15, 2011 at 4:15 pm

After another visit to the gorgeous central California coast, I am convinced it is one of the prettiest spots on God’s green earth. We loved every moment of our long weekend in the Santa Ynez Valley, from knitting by the fire to playing Settlers of Catan to winetasting to feeding the horses to hiking to window shopping to walks on the beach… so lovely.

Activity I am most looking forward to this morning: downloading pictures from my camera to share with you soon!

But in the meantime, here are the long-ago-promised photos from SeaWorld San Antonio. One of the first things we discovered when we arrived is the dolphin pool. You’re permitted to lean over the low wall and splash your hands in the water, calling the 10 dolphins towards you. The younger ones enjoyed coming close to get head rubs, and that was the way I finally got to touch my first dolphin!

Lena wasn’t so sure at first. What are these giant creatures coming out of the water, Mom?

But she enjoyed this!

Later we took her into shark- and ray-infested waters. Her fascination was fairly short-lived.

By contrast, I think we could have sat by the duck and flamingo pool all day and she would have been happy.

At the end of our day there we went to the orca and beluga/dophin shows, which are full of lights and music and action. Elliott and I love scuba diving and have been in close contact with a lot of cool sea creatures, but somehow every time I see an orca or dolphin or penguin or ray up close, it takes my breath away. By the time we have reason to return to San Antonio, I think Miss Lena might agree with us even more.

1 :: in family, Lena, Texas

First Fridays

November 9, 2011 at 6:07 pm

There’s a tradition in our neighborhood called First Fridays. (Remind anyone of Fridays After Five in C’ville? Sigh!) It’s a collaboration between local restaurants and artisans, a celebration of food and craft. Sections of our neighborhood were transformed into miniature markets filled with artwork, and a huge artists’ studio (once an old warehouse) opened all its doors to welcome passersby. As the sun set, restaurants seated patrons who had just finished tours of little neighborhood museums and crafters’ studios.

Later we walked home down our beloved River Walk. The leaves change colors and there’s a hint of autumn in the air… even in Texas!

My mom is here for the next couple days and we’re having so much fun with her. This morning we went out for an early breakfast to the Guenther House, a beautiful little mansion that’s been transformed into a restaurant and museum. Wish I could start every day with pumpkin pancakes and strawberry waffles!

5 :: in family, Texas

First Fridays

November 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Later we walked home down our beloved River Walk. The leaves change colors and there’s a hint of autumn in the air… even in Texas!

5 :: in family, Texas

afternoon at the Alamo

November 7, 2011 at 5:50 pm

I’ve been operating for months (no, years) under the false impression that admission to the Alamo is extremely expensive. Therefore I never went, although I walk by it to go to the post office or on jaunts around downtown San Antonio all the time.

“But it’s free,” Elliott told me the other day, a confused expression on his face. “You didn’t know that?” He’d been there on some Army field trip awhile back.

Nope! So one fine afternoon we decided to go explore the Alamo.

We discovered that apparently the story of the Alamo is bigger than Texas. Who knew?! We also got a great refresher on Texas history as related to the Alamo, which reminded me of many things I learned in that old John Wayne film years ago. Remember that one, my siblings?

Lena was more interested in the pigeons in the courtyard outside, though.

Someone saw us taking lots of pictures and offered to take a family portrait. I’m learning to never say no when someone offers, for we have precious few photos of us all together as it is. Even if we’re very awkward family photo takers…

P.S. I would just like to draw your attention to Lena’s darling new overalls Doesn’t she look so squeezable in them?! My cousin Katie bought them for Lena and now my baby girl wears them all the time (in case you haven’t noticed her outfit in this post and the last one). They’ll be a staple in her wardrobe this winter. I only wish it were so easy for mamas to pull off the overalls look and I’d be wearing a cute pair myself!

4 :: in family, Lena, Texas

afternoon at the Alamo

November 7, 2011 at 4:50 pm

“But it’s free,” Elliott told me the other day, a confused expression on his face. “You didn’t know that?” He’d been there on some Army field trip awhile back.

Nope! So one fine afternoon we decided to go explore the Alamo.

Lena was more interested in the pigeons in the courtyard outside, though.