Fredericksburg photos

I've had a few friends asking for pictures of the house in Fredericksburg. I was finally able to snap a few pictures right before we were leaving this last trip.

Master bedroom:Master bathroom:Hallway bathroom:

Front bedroom:Family room:

Dining room:Another view of the dining room:Kitchen:Another view of kitchen:Computer desk in Kitchen:Coming into from the back door (pantry door):TV room:Back bedroom:

Love this little house and can't wait to share it with friends and family!!

Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg

This weekend we went to Fredericksburg and it just so happened that this is the weekend for Oktoberfest! It rained and rained and rained all weekend. The kids were so disappointed, but we finally got to go on Sunday. We waited until late afternoon and went to try it out. It was hot, steamy and muddy from all the rain, but of course, we had fun anyway. We rode our bikes over there and the boys had fun tagging along on back of my bike. (We can't wait for Jackson to learn to ride his bike without training wheels! We think he will have so much fun...he just doesn't seem interested.)

Our trek to San Antonio

The kids are getting restless just hanging around the house now. They are arguing more and beginning to get on each others nerves- it takes lots of interference from Jerrod and I. I really think they are ready to go back to school!! Until then, we are keeping busy with all sorts of things.

We knew that today we had to get everyone out the house and make some plans somewhere. We decided to go to Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. We were reluctant about taking Teague, but our neighbors let us borrow a back pack carrier to walk with him in the caves. I worked. He really enjoyed it and was a real sport. The girls and Jackson thought the caves were pretty cool and Jackson kept thinking that it was where the Indiana Jones movie- Temple of Doom- was filmed. We all just agreed and let him think what he wanted...

Afterwards, we tried to go to the Alamo for a tour, but it was closed already so we went to the Riverwalk to take in the sights. We decided to get on the tour boat on the river so that the kids could see everything. Our plan was foiled when it started to rain on us- the kids actually thought that was pretty cool too.

The beginning of our boat tour... and then the rain came! As I remember this day, I remember the good times we had, but I will forever remember one event particularly. We stopped at a gas station in Bulvedere to get gas called "Big Tex". It was a miniature Buc-ee's of sorts. I went in while Jerrod was pumping the gas because we needed some cash. I went and picked up a few diet dr. pepper's and a vitamin water and went to the register to pay with hopes that I could get cash for over the amount of the purchases.

My cashier was so sweet but nearly scared me to death. She had no teeth...none, zippo, nada and I don't think she cared. She just S-M-I-L-E-D the entire time and was overly happy. It startled me. I just didn't expect that.

Then, it happened. I noticed a gentlemen behind her holding a mop (he clearly worked their too) and he was cutting up with several guys in the store. He caught my attention because he was picking his nose with his other hand. No, not trying to clear some dirt....not trying to wipe away or itch it inconspicuously. I continued to watch him because all I could think about was a young child. He was totally picking his nose- like a 2 year old would. His finger was entirely up his nose and he was really digging- for something good, I suppose. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Wait. It gets better. I went to the bathroom after I paid and I saw the gentleman digging for gold in his nose. The kids needed me in there (plus I needed something to distract me from staring) so I got them out of the bathroom and headed to the car. That's when I saw "goldie" cleaning the soda fountain machine with his bare hands. I loved my bottled DP. Enough said.

We used to drive back and forth to Amarillo when we had fewer kids and I have many a tales from those trips. I will definitely add this one to my repertoire of disgusting gas station stories.

A bunch of "news"

We tried out a new church this morning! We went to Holy Ghost Lutheran Church where Teague RAN into the nursery (overly ready to play) and we enjoyed the service. It was a great message that I should stamp on my hand and heart- let God have your worries...

We had lunch, hung out at home, watched TV and the kids played video games here and there. I even got a nap! Once the sun started going down, we decided to take a bike ride around our neighborhood. I packed up Teague and Jackson in the caboose and attached it to the back of my bike and had so much fun. Emma found a super steep drive way at Angels above the Creek just a few blocks away so we spent some time going down it individually- really FAST and FUN! Jackson and Teague even held up their arms as if they were going on a roller coaster. Remember? it doesn't take much to entertain them??!

Later this evening, we went over to our neighbors so that the husband's could meet finally and the kids could play. I am sure they were beginning to wonder if I really did have a husband...especially with the last name Smith. :) As usual, Leslie and Kevin were great hosts. We even got to meet Leslie's sister, her daughter and her parents! The kids swam and the adults just talked and got to know each other. At the end of the evening, the kids made their favorite- SMORES- in the fire pit! Yummo!
Leslie was in charge of passing out marshmallows, crackers and the chocolate. I seriously think Teague ate his weight in chocolate...he could not get enough!

Lauren is a pro at marshmallow roasting so she had a few things to teach Bailey.This is delish!! I agree!! This is number 3 for me!

Buc-ee's

This week we decided that we didn't want to make the trek to Florida so we decided to back out of our reservation. We talked about it and really just wanted to go to Fredericksburg and spend a week doing a whole lot of nothing. We decided to go after the girls got back from the Friday night birthday parties they were invited to- they just could NOT miss them! We have priorities, you see.

We packed up this morning and headed to the hill country for some relaxation. This is a real treat for me...Jerrod spending the week with us without work- yippee!

Jackson was of course thrilled to get to Fbg since the Wii is located there (and his new friend Grayson) and the girls were pretty excited as well. But I must say...the BIGGEST excitement was Buc-ee's on I-10. The kids were begging to stop there. I tell you- it was as if we were going to an amusement park. I guess it just doesn't take much to entertain the Smith kids. It certainly helps since you KNOW I am using it to my advantage on the way- "if you do this...we'll stop, etc."
Whatever works. It was packed and took me nearly 5 minutes to find a parking spot. Crazy. I even took a picture. Who can say they have whipped out their camera at the filling station? Not many.

Did I mention that the bathrooms are AWESOME? The kids loved those too. :)