JAMSquared

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

We got up early, for us, and met everyone for breakfast at the Firewheel Cafe. Jason and Julia then went horse-back riding. We would have joined them if I had heeded my husband’s request to pack jeans for horseback riding. Silly me thought we could go riding in shorts. Oh well, I know for next time.

Jessica rode the lobby horse with Cameron who then rode it with Trevor.

Then Cameron went to ride a real live pony (see Sarah’s post about Cameron’s pony ride here) while the other kiddos relaxed in their strollers.

Afterward, Aspen and Jessica checked out some little bug cars, which were really too old for both of them, but they sure looked cute.  Both girls really liked the bug’s antennae. Sarah and Cameron then swam a bit more, while we took Jessica back to our room to nap.

We loaded up and drove back to Austin where we all ate lunch before everyone went their separate ways. The next time we’ll all be together will be Jessica’s 1st birthday party.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Jessica spent some time with Nanny and Papa while James went to get us some breakfast tacos and I started pool prepping. After eating, we met everyone at the pool for a fun morning filled with lots of swimming and floating. We started out in the “beach” of the pool. I’m not sure if it was the texture of the sand or what, but Jessica did not care for sitting in the sand in the shallows of the water playing. However, once we got to floating the crooked river, she had a blast. Aspen on the other hand, loved the beach. She kept filling her bucket with sand.

Lunch was eaten under a massive oak tree beside the crooked river. Lunch consisted of sandwich stuff Mom, Dad and Sarah had picked up from HEB the night before after dinner. Much cheaper than the Old Buck’s Place of the day before and just as tasty.

All the kiddos plus Jason and Julia then snoozed. Brian stayed in their room and relaxed. The rest of us hung out in Mom and Dad’s room chatting.

We then went and had dinner at Roadhouse. I immensely enjoyed my bacon cheeseburger. Jason had what was apparently the best grilled chicken sandwich he had ever eaten. They did have good food in a hole in the wall location. It often works out that way, doesn’t it?

We then went to downtown Bastrop and ambled down the main street. Only one shop was open, Johns Barber Shop. We crossed the historic Colorado River bridge, a 1,285-foot (392 m)-long bridge with three steel truss spans and concrete piers, which is now a pedestrian walkway.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

James, Jessica and I went down to McDade’s Emporium, the little pastry & ice cream parlor near the lobby, and picked up some breakfast tacos. We then wandered outside to enjoy our breakfast on a bench under a massive oak tree. We then returned to our room to change into our swimsuits.

At the pool, we floated the Crooked River, the resort’s registered name for a lazy river, with everyone except Jason’s family who had already going swimming and went to take a nap.

Everyone then met up for lunch at Old Buck’s Place, the poolside cafe.

While Jessica napped in our room, and Cameron and Trevor napped in Jason and Julia’s room, the adults played a round of Balderdash in Mom and Dad’s room while Aspen played on the floor. Jason won. He had a real knack for guessing the real answer.

After nap time, Cameron rode a pink tricycle that was still too big (it was smaller than the blue tricycle).

And Jessica and Trevor talked to each other in their strollers.

Jason, Julia, Aspen and Dad went swimming some more.

Jessica then rode the horse in the lobby.

We drove into Bastrop and enjoyed dinner at Nancy’s Steakhouse. The bacon wrapped shrimp and chicken appetizers were very good.

Back at the beginning of August, we went on a mini vacation getaway with the Dzubinski side of the family. I tend to be really picture heavy in my travel blog posts, so I’ve decided to do separate posts for each day. Check out Julia’s post here and Sarah’s posts here and here. I apologize for the delay in sharing our trip. James and I are making some behind the scenes changes to our website and I had hoped to be finished before posting about the trip. Alas, grout sealing has taken up our time until recently so the web changes are still not in place yet.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

After partying with Aspen at her birthday celebration and Jessica’s afternoon nap, we arrived at our travel destination, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. Granted, the destination wasn’t far from home, off of Highway 71 just west of Bastrop but it was a perfect getaway. Everyone settled into their rooms. Sarah’s family’s room was on the 3rd floor while the rest of us were on the 4th floor. Dinner was then eaten at the Firewheel Cafe, one of the resort’s six dining facilities. They had a buffet that everyone decided to try. I tried a variety of dishes including salmon, prime rib, and a cauliflower au gratin that would have tasted better if the cauliflower pieces had been more uniform in size. The dessert table of the buffet had many delicious choices. I loved how many of the desserts were bite-sized or small so you could try multiples desserts without feeling guilty.

After dinner, we walked around the grounds a bit. Cameron tested out the covered wagon.

We scoped out the pool. Then we let the kiddos play on the playground.

Don’t you love that little tongue sticking out? Ever since this trip Jessica has been sticking her tongue out a lot too. I don’t know if it is because she saw Trevor doing it or what, but it sure is cute.