Austin – JAMSquared

Bluebonnets 2011

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Jennifer

Yesterday, we visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to view the bluebonnets. This has become an annual family tradition as we went last year too. Technically, I went in 2009 also, but that was with my friend Kristy. Although, I guess I was pregnant with Jessica at the time.

It was a little overcast with a nice breeze, so all in all a good day to be outside.

Bluebonnets

The bluebonnets aren’t as prolific this year since we had a much drier winter than the previous year.

Lupinus Texensis

These yellow flowers are really pretty, but I missed the signpost with their name and haven’t been able to find it browsing the Native Plant Information Network, so if anyone knows what they are, please let me know.

Yellow Flowers

Yellow Flowers Close-up

Purple Prairie Verbena

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea)

After we finally convinced Jessica to get out of the stroller (she’s seems to enjoy being strapped in), she wanted to help Daddy push it.

Jessica Pushing Her Stroller

I have to say last year was way easier getting Jessica to be still for the camera. This year she didn’t want to sit still for her Mama to take photos.

Jessica Among the Bluebonnets

James Smiling at Me

I ended up getting out her goldfish crackers to see if that would get Jessica to sit still and it did, but then she wouldn’t look at the camera much.

Jessica and James

Is Jessica Going to Sit on That Rock?

Why Yes, She Does Have a Seat

Jessica and Jennifer

Now If Only I'd Sat Up Straighter

"Oooh"

Bluebonnet Beauty

A nice lady offered to take a family photo for us.

Our Little Family

Jessica Sitting In Front of Large Buttercups

Pink Evening Primrose and Bluebonnets

Cactus Bloom

Serene Meadow

Meadow Close-up

Lots of Visitors

Posted on October 21, 2010 by Jennifer

We had a very busy weekend. James’ parents, sister and nephew arrived Friday in time for dinner.

Saturday morning, we tried for a photo shoot, but Jessica didn’t want anything to do with that.

Grandpa, Jessica and Dawson

We then went to the Circle C Metro Park. James and Dawson tossed a frisbee, while Jessica played. She enjoyed the racket ball container we brought along.

Jessica at the Park

Sunday morning, my parents, Sarah and her kiddos (Brian was on his annual guys bow-hunting trip) arrived just in time for Jessica’s birthday party, which I will discuss in a later post.

After the party, James’ family left and the Dzubinski cousins played together. A number of these photos were actually taken by my Dad.

Cameron and Sarah

Trevor, Nanny, Jason and Julia

Aspen and Jessica Trying Out her New Toys

We took the play time outside to check out Jessica’s new ride, the gift James and I got Jessica.

Cameron Trying Out Jessica's Convertible

Aspen Test Driving Jessica's New Car

Jessing Enjoying Her New Ride

The Entourage

Jessica, Cameron and Trevor at Jessica's New Table

Sarah and Trevor

Monday we met up with Julia and Aspen for lunch at Mighty Fine Burgers and afterward we went to Gracywoods Park (an awesome playground, but we had a hard time finding where to park) and let the kiddos burn some energy before Sarah, Cameron and Trevor left to head home. My parents left the next morning.

Jessica and Aspen Swinging

Cameron, Nanny and Trevor Swinging

Trevor Enjoying the Swing

Aspen Coming Down the Slide

Cameron on the Motorcycle

Julia with Aspen on the Motorcycle

Papa, Aspen and Cameron

Play Date at the Zoo

Posted on October 13, 2010 by Jennifer

Last Wednesday, our Circle of Moms play group went to the Austin Zoo. It is a rescue zoo, so some of the animals are sad, like Stumpy, one of the monkeys who is missing part of his tail. However, they have a great petting zoo area and you can feed a number of the animals. Later on, it will be a great place to teach Jessica the importance of respecting animals. The zoo’s paths aren’t the most stroller friendly, but there is a lot of shade.

Jessica Watching the Monkeys

We arrived at the lion enclosure just in time to see him eat his lunch of chicken “nuggets.” See Millie peeking around Jessica’s stroller to smile at the camera?

Watching the Lion Eat His Lunch

Charlotte is an almost 3-year-old pro at feeding the animals. Her mom Kirsty and little brother Jack go to the zoo a lot as they have a membership.

Charlotte Feeding a Goat

Jessica

Christian had an elevated view from his mom Sue’s back.

Sue Feeding the Goats

Charlotte even called the deer Bambi. Isn’t that cute? Although, I’m not sure that was the deer’s name. I love how the zoo lists the animals’ names on the animal description signs.

Charlotee Feeding Bambi

Alisha Feeding the Deer While Parker Observes

Christian feel asleep in the backpack carrier. I guess it must be pretty comfy. Unfortunately, I didn’t think about getting a group photo until after he and his mom left.

Jack (Hiding in Stroller), Kirsty, Charloote, Michelle, Millie, Jessica, Jennifer, Alisha and Parker

I would like to let you know if you’re looking for a play group, Circle of Moms is awesome. It is easy to find a play group in your area. The play group tool is easy to use and the site coordinators are awesome. Our play group was even provided with helium balloons at yesterday’s play date. The kids had a blast, but I forgot to take pictures during the play date. They’re working on a newsletter and yours truly was interviewed for the article on organizing play groups. I’m kinda excited to see the newsletter when it comes out.

Aspen’s Baptism

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Jennifer

Last Saturday afternoon was Aspen’s baptism. It was held at 4 PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church. I’d never visited that church before and the stained glass window behind the alter was gorgeous. Aspen did really well and it was a very nice ceremony. Unfortunately, I didn’t take as many pictures as I normally would as I was helping Julia out by taking photos with her camera.

Aspen Blowing Bubbles at her Daddy

Apparently, it was more interesting to look at her Aunt Sarah than smile at the camera.

Aspen and her Godparents, her Mommy's brother Matthew and her Daddy's sister Sarah

Since Brian was keeping Cameron occupied and Sarah was the godmother, James held Trevor since Jessica was happy to play in her carrier for the majority of the ceremony.

Trevor

Here’s my cutie pie with her Daddy. Doesn’t she look fancy in her party dress?

James and Jessica

Earlier in the day, Jason and Julia held a cook-out to celebrate the day’s big event. I’m glad I was able to help out by bringing dessert (blog post on that to come). I think the party started right after Aspen woke up from her nap. She still looks a little sleepy in this photo, but it was such a great photo of my Mom.

Aspen and her Nanny

Jessica fought and fought naptime that morning and so she was kinda sleepy at the party. We actually ended up leaving to take Jessica home for a nap before the baptism.

Jessica and her Aunt Sarah

Jessica and her Papa

Papa, Aspen, Trevor, and Nanny

After Aspen’s baptism, my parents, Sarah and her family and us went to eat dinner at BJ’s Restaurant. Jessica did pretty well, considering she didn’t get a morning nap and only got a relatively short afternoon nap. Here we are waiting for our table. The wait wasn’t too terribly bad since we called ahead.

Cameron with his Nanny and Aunt Jennifer

Sunday morning before Sarah and her family left, Trevor and Jessica got to play together. For some reason, Jessica really liked holding his ear. She does like to grab my ears too for that matter.

Trevor and Jessica

This is a pose that we’ve begun to see a lot of recently. This makes bow wearing difficult, because the bow typically goes where her hand is located.

Trevor and Jessica

We then went and had breakfast tacos at Torchy’s Tacos before they headed out of town to go home.

Cameron and his Mom

Bluebonnet Beauty

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Jennifer

Last Saturday, we took Jessica to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. I really like visiting the Wildflower Center. It is always so pretty. You can see pictures from my other trips to the Wildflower Center here and here.

Giant Spiderwort (Tradescantia gigantea)

Mommy and Jessica in the Bluebonnets

I was excited to get some pictures with Jessica and the bluebonnets. She seemed to really enjoy the bluebonnets and other wildflowers. She also liked the little mini waterfall at the pond and kept looking at it.