Meet Zyra

We have a new granddaughter and I am on my way to Billings to meet her.  How fun is this?  The females in the family are starting to make a comeback -- two in a row now.

My first stop upon arrival is at Rhiana's where Miss Elena is waiting.  I simply cannot wait to see her again.

Within moments, she has my phone and is a happy camper playing beside me while I get to visit with Rhiana for awhile.  I would like so much to slow time down and stop these little ones from growing up so quick.  It seems as though it is just racing by and they are going to be grown within the blink of an eye.  Elena is such a sweetie and full of hugs and love.  I wish this trip was longer, but I only have a little bit of time and am trying to pack it as full as I can.

It is time to meet the star of this trip.  Miss Zyra -- Matt and Becca's new little one.  She is so precious and it is fun to have her in my arms.  Ah, that wonderful baby smell.  Getting my fix good here.

I think she has already made her way into hearts and has Daddy wrapped around her finger --- no surprise there.  He has always been a softie for little girls.

Mom is pretty dang pleased as well.  Although Miss Zyra is not exactly thrilled at the moment.

Soon, Hyrum is saying --- "Hey, what about me?"  I have a new truck from Grandpa for him and in no time we are playing along and having fun together.  He also gets new books from Gammy and I love spending time with him as we read them together.

I want to try and get a few pictures of Hyrum and Zyra together and he goes along with it, but only under duress.  Still --- I am happy.

Ah, moments to treasure forever.  I am so thankful that I was able to come and visit and am thankful that Becca has Priscilla here to help her.  I was never that fortunate and hope she knows how lucky she is.

Hibiscus - Backyard in Bloom

My backyard is blooming with beautiful color everywhere.  The hibiscus has truly become one of my favorite plants here in Texas.  It's colors are absolutely vibrant and I love that there is a new bloom each day.  Truly fun!

Impatiens!

Mister has finished planting the back area.  Impatiens EVERYWHERE!  Are they not just oh so pretty?

Austin/Ennis/Bluebonnets

Saturday:  Mister and I are taking a few days to go and play down in the Austin area.  This time of year is spectacular in Texas and I want to witness it myself.  Our first stop is Mount Bonnell and what do you suppose Mister sees?  Ahh.  Beautiful isn't it?  

From Wikipedia:  Mount Bonnell is generally believe to have been named after early Texas newspaper publisher George W. Bonnell, who moved to Texas in 1836.  George W. Bonnell was publisher of the local paper "The Texas Sentinel" and was prominent in early Texas and Travis County (Austin) affairs after the War for Independence.  Though sources have long credited George Bonnell as the mountain's namesake, Albert Sidney Johnston may have named Mount Bonnell in present-day Austin for his friend and fellow West Point graduate Joseph Bonnell, who was a Captain in the Texas Army during the War for Independence.  There is little contemporaneous evidence to support either derivation of the name.

Legend has it that Mount Bonnell was once called Antoinette's Leap, after a young woman who leaped to her death to avoid being captured by Native Americans who had killed her fiance.

Pick the one you like the best and go with it.

What an absolutely gorgeous day!

These are just lovely!  And also, the beginning of what we are about to see.

As I am walking away, the bluebonnets catch my eye.  It is their time of year and I am hoping we will see some magnificent ones.

It is getting late and in the day and one of the reasons we chose this weekend is because a local brewery is having it's anniversary party.  Therefore, we are off to Live Oak Brewing for a little fun.  The place is packed and muddy, but a very enjoyable afternoon takes place.  We do the tour and enjoy sampling their work.

Sunday:

We start our down in the city and head for the Capitol.  I want to wander the grounds and peek inside again.  It has been a couple of years since I was here the first time and this time, I would like to learn a little as well as enjoy the scenery of this impressive place.  The rose gardens out front are oh so pretty.  I want to stand and look at them all day.  What a great entrance.  I don't remember seeing this last time.  Hmm.

Yes!  I do love this architecture.

This statue resonates in me.  I am not from Texas, nor a pioneer woman, but am grateful to those who are and were.  I have truly embraced this state and love living here.  It just feels good.  And right.

Let's go inside.  The dome!

Levels and doorways.  Immense!

Floor.

Treasurer's Office - Love the floor.  A view from the portico.  So pretty.

As we leave the Capitol, we make a stop at the The Bullock Texas State History Museum, which I thought we had not been to before.  Once inside, we both remembered having been here before.  This is not a floor that a person forgets easily.

Mister has located a funky little stop so we head there next.  It is called the The Cathedral of Junk.  Please check the link to find out more as it is really pretty cool.  We were impressed with the amount of stuff in this backyard.  Now THIS Is a clubhouse that any child would give everything to own.  What fun!

Can't tell much from the front can ya?

After a wonderful dinner, we park downtown and walk to the Congress bridge.  Perhaps my favorite thing to do here is watch the bats come out at sunset.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.  We set up in a spot and enjoy ourselves to the fullest as they begin their nightly feast.

The skies start to darken, but still you can see the bats leaving as they dot the blue.  So very many of them.

Fun photography:

Ah the city lights are on.  Let's go have a drink.

The city's motto is "Keep Austin Weird" and I guess they hold to it.  We stop in at a local pub to have a freshly made root beer while sitting at the bar.  Lawrence Welk is on the television and as the bartender goes to change the channel, everyone at the bar shouts not to.  Only in Austin.  This has been a great day, but we are on the road tomorrow so time to call it a night.

Monday:  We are off to Ennis today.  The Bluebonnet Trails started this weekend and I want to go have a peek.  Today is eye candy day to the max.  We start coming across fields of many different colors.  There is yellow, red, white, pink, and blue to be seen everywhere.

I think I am in love with the longhorn cattle in amongst the flowers.  How cool is this?

We spot some deer as well:

The rest of these selected shots are just going to get to speak for themselves.  Suffice to say:  What an incredibly beautiful day.  Thanks so much Mister.

I "think" this one may become a gift for Mister's Mom.  She loves bluebonnets.