Hill Country Fun

We made it through the weekend trip to Wimberley, everyone came home in one piece. Not such an easy task when you are dealing with two adventurous little boys and about 1000 acres of hill country to roam. These are pictures of them doing what they were told for a change, which was to "stay on the porch unless you are with mommy or daddy." That was the reiterated theme
throughout the weekend since we were warned that rattlesnakes had been spotted in the area.

It was a beautiful weekend. Days were cool and sunny and nights were perfect for a fire. We had a bit of an adventure on Saturday riding the Austin Steam Train. We bought our tickets several months ago and had figured an hour drive time to the train station from Wimberley. Slight miscalulation. We arrived at the train station after a little over 2 hours of driving. Just in time to see the train pull out of the station. Since we were sure we missed the train we left all of our loot in the car to wave goodbye to the train. Heath called to see if we could catch the train on the way home from Burnet and the conductor stopped the train and hailed us on. We made a run for it, caught the train and settled in for the two hour ride to Burnet. This was great because we didn't even want to think about what we were going to tell Jackson if we didn't get on that train. One small problem however, we have a non-potty trained baby on board and NO diaperbag. No carefully packed cooler, no camera fully loaded with batteries, and most importantly, no entertainment for two small boys aboard a rather boring 2 hour train ride through the Texas hill country.

On the upside, Grant learned to poop in a potty. And a potty on a moving train at that! Luckily, when we got to Burnet there was an HEB grocery store across the street from the train station. We stocked up on supplies and walked back onto Main Street and tried to figure out what we were going to do for the next two hours until the train departed. It was rough. Back on board the train we were waiting to get clearance for departure for the station. Small problem, Jackson has giardia which isn't pleasant to his intestines. He's got to go. Now. Train potties are locked while in train stations. No toilets until the train is out of the station and onto the main lines. (That should tell you something rather gross about where the contents of the potties go!) Anyway, luckily he held out and the two of them fell asleep for most of the two hour train ride home. Of course, as soon as we pull into the station in Austin, Jackson announces that it was the best time he's ever had and can we please go again tomorrow!

Sunday was nice as we got to see Heath's family in Austin. His cousin Elaine graduated from UT and her parents were there along with her three sisters, and assorted other aunts, uncles and cousins. The live all over, Ohio, California, North Caroline and San Antonio so it was good to see them all again. Elaine has been a favorite of Jackson's for some time now and he was so happy to see her.

The weather was so beautiful and the boys were having such a good time with Heath that we stayed an extra day, which was wonderful until the rattlesnake sighting off the front porch. Luckily Heath was able to rid it of its head and no damage was done. We packed up and headed out for home soon after.