The Jasons Great Outdoors

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Calm, Warm Christmas...in Texas.

Scott and I still laugh when we realize we are in Texas. Seriously, we NEVER thought about this state, let alone living here! BUT this was our first southern Christmas and we made the most of it. I literally cranked up the air conditioning so that we could enjoy the fire, and our warm pajamas. We also added a new twist to our holiday traditions. Kids and I thought it would be fun to open presents on Christmas Eve. Four o'clock was as far as we made it that day before caving into our curiosity (plus I wanted Scott to have a chance to play with his new rollerblades). No regrets! The rest of the afternoon we all played inside and out. Christmas morning was lovely. Just a few presents left from Santa and our stockings. Plus, sticky buns and huge cups of coffee!
Today is our first day "back to school" and the kids are transitioning fairly well. We also pick back up on Spanish class, piano lesson, track, and horseback riding. Ethan also has baseball try-outs this month! BUT! Last night his coach from last seasons Allstar team contacted Scott. He asked that Scott be assistant coach for his team this year ensuring that Ethan would play for him!!!!!!! (All coaches and assistant coaches automatically have their sons on their teams). So, he will try-out with out much pressure because he already knows his team and coach! The kid could hardly control his joy! Coach Hall was a dream coach for the short time he had him on the Allstars.

At this point we couldn't wait any longer!!!!

Santa delivered a new armadillo!

And Ethan got "Carl" the frog!

Mom and Dad fuel.

Santa presents Christmas morning.

Fiona got her own drone!

Mmmm.....

Zevon! Sticking his tongue out! So naughty!

Fiona got the cutest dress from Heather.

Determined to complete her working ferris wheel set.

Ran out barefoot to test his newest baseball equipment.

A little help from the little "bother", I mean brother.

Christmas coffee in the afternoon by the pool.

Guitar surgery.

We played games late into the night on New Year's Eve!

First dinner of 2017!

And work begins on the 2000 piece puzzle.....

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Austin reminds us of Boston!

One of the highlights of my parents visit was our road-trip to Austin. Scott rented a van and we headed out late morning Tuesday with a stop at the George Bush Presidential Library on the way. I had never visited a presidential library, and had no idea what to expect. Was it really a library? Would I be board out of my skull? Kids and I were pleasantly surprised to find it was neither. It was a great, interactive museum dedicated to the four years of George Bush's presidency. Perhaps with a bit of a bias toward the amazing republican man...but definitely interesting. My dad was in heaven. Seriously. We all really enjoyed the city of Austin. It is a great size, and full of original shops. The night we were there we attended "The Trail of Lights". Pretty much what it sounds like...only bigger than you can imagine. The next day we headed to the Capitol Building. I was also very pleasantly surprised with this little educational journey as well! We spent a few hours wandering those halls! Such a gorgeous old building.
When we returned to The Woodlands we enjoyed some lazy days by the fire. Sewing, playing games, watching traditional Christmas movies. One night we lit a fire in the fire pit and then enjoyed the hot tub. On my parents last night here we ate a delicious meal at "Jasper's" on the waterway and took a beautiful stroll through the city to admire all the lights. Gammy and Gampy are missed a great deal. They had worked themselves into our routine, and have left an empty spot in our home. BUT having Christmas right around the corner has made the sadness much more bearable!