Spring at home

This weekend Indiana made her first overnight trip! My Aunt Kathy from Maryland was here visiting my dad and step-mom so of course we had to stop by! We headed down to New Braunfels Saturday morning and stayed the night. I was a little (okay, a lot) nervous about how Indiana would do overnight but as always, she was a rockstar. She definitely did have a bit of a meltdown during her witching hour, but honestly that's pretty normal, even at home. She was mostly her happy charming self and slept pretty great at night. I think I was more stressed out than she was, haha! She's an adaptable little thing.

Spring has definitely sprung at the "Brooks Farm", it's wildflower city! My dad has done so much work on his land, it's such a little slice of paradise. Especially when covered with flowers!

  

Boy Wonder has to climb on everything, of course!

Mini-donkeys, living the life. Grazing on green grass in the shade.

Whitey! The craziest pet turkey around. Maybe the oldest? They usually only live for a few years, but this guys going on five! He'll outlive us all.

  
And of course, a little Indiana who is never in short supply of someone willing to love on her:

And my Aunt Kathy! It was so good to see her. We are the only Brookses in Texas, it stinks being so far from everyone. I definitely think we'll need to make a trip up to Maryland soon so Indy can meet her crazy Brooks side of the family. ;)

Zilker Park

Texans, are you not in love with this weather? Can it pleeeease stay like this forever? Every year I forget how wonderful our few weeks of spring are. March, you are my favorite (October, I still love you too). We have been taking advantage of this awesome weather and trying to get outside as much as possible. Before it's 105 degrees again.

Thursday morning we hit up Zilker Park. This was the first time that we just visited the park, usually there's some sort of event that brings us there. Turns out it's a really great park! SO big. And so many puppies (and children) running around everywhere! Brendon suggested bringing our gloves and playing catch soon. I am going to have to take him up on that offer. Our softball spring season just started and I've been conned into playing catcher. Just wait for the bruises y'all, I can't catch anything.

Cardigan on cardigan, y'all. There are never too many cardigans.

Also, I think I have previously discussed how people just seem to love offering to take our picture. I am impressed with the kindness, and I will never turn them down, but the photos always come out terrible. And people get so serious, getting down on their knees for a "good angle", ridiculous. Sweet, but ridic. Here is one of the most recent offerings:

The flash was definitely on. Thanks kind strangers who think they are professional photographers. We've got quite a growing collection of random snapshots.

Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell is this big ol' limestone hill on Lake Austin. We had never been before but I had recently been told "YOU HAVE TO GO!" so since the weather was phenomenal Sunday, Brendon and I decided to give it a try. And boy, is the view nice! On one side you've got Lake Austin and the 360 bridge (aka my commute to work, every dang day) and on the other side you've got downtown. What a pretty little city we live in!

Ummm... those houses. Yes please.

The weather was so so so good. Can it be like that everyday? After climbing around in the hills of Lake Austin, we ventured down to our favorite haunt, South Congress. We got snow cones, candy, and did a little shopping. Oh and found a cat to hang with. Because you know.

This weekend was really wonderful. My bff Kristy came down from Dallas with her daughter Kennedy to hang for the weekend (I took zero pictures because I am laaaaame). Unfortunately it was rainy and gross while they were here, but we still had an awesome time! Sunday they left a little early because they both got a little sick (Austin is an allergen), so Brendon and I ended up with a little rare alone time to explore the city in the sun. Perfect day, perfect weekend. I could get used to the whole weekend off thing. I envy you with normal jobs!

Step by Step Sewing Part 4 - the Final Product

I finally got a chance to take pictures in my latest sewing creation. We have been blessed with some absolutely beautiful weather lately. Friday evening Brendon and I took advantage and hung out in the sunshine. And I conned him into taking some pictures of me in my dress.

Here is Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 of the project. It took me almost a month to blog, whoops! Life has been busy lately. Wonderful, but busy busy busy!

I LOVE this dress! It is super comfy. That seersucker fabric is so light and soft, I love it. It is perfect for spring. It was a tad big around the waist so I added a little pink ribbon to cinch it up a bit. Not a permanent solution, but it works for now. Out of all the dresses I've made, I think this one was the simplest and I think it flatters me the most. The skirt part of it is the perfect length for me, which is nice because a lot of the time I have to alter the length on things because I'm on the tall side.

We had a great evening by the lake, relaxing, people watching and catching up with each other. This last couple weeks were rough for me and Mr. H. We probably saw each other for maybe 5 waking hours all week. No fun! I had also just finished a 9 day work marathon (my fault, asking for days off early in one week and late in the next is not a good idea), so it was extra nice to have a night together. And knowing you have the whole next day off together doesn't hurt either, especially when it is a certain someone's birthday (which was wonderful).

On our way home we stopped by a snow cone trailer for some goodies. I am obsessed with snow cones right now. They are SO GOOD. I always stick to my boring favorite, strawberry, but Brendon always has to one up me. He got blue raspberry and it was delish and I was jealous. Way to out order me babe.

Cutest husband ever. In my opinion.

 Brendon is way better at looking cute while eating snow cones. I just look awkward, as usual.

See how soft that dress looks? I could basically sleep in it. That fabric is the best. And it hardly wrinkles at all since it's fairly textured already. Win-win y'all.

Not sure what project is up next. I just got a bunch of new patterns, so I have too many options to chose from! I'm no good at making decisions!

Spring in January

Instagram is the best. So is standing with your hands on your hips apparently.

We ventured over to South Congress yesterday and wandered around for a while, checking out all the fun little stores and soaking in some vitamin D. And since we were looking a little cuter than usual, we documented ourselves! I love that skirt. I got it just a short walk from where I was standing a little while back at little a vintage store. It makes me happy!

Spring has decided to visit us early this year. Although it's January, the weather has been absolutely wonderful lately! Aside from all the ridiculous cedar in the air, I can't get enough of being outside. Texas has few days like this, so you've gotta take advantage while you can! Before we know it, it will be 107 degrees again.