Bats...

We went to see the bats in Austin, here is a bit of info:

The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue bridge in downtown Austin is the spring and summer home to some 750,000 bats with up to 1.5 million bats at the peak of the bat-watching season. It's the largest urban bat colony in North America.

Each evening around sunset the Congress Avenue bats emerge like a black cloud from the crevices of the bridge. Covering the countryside in search of food, it is estimated that the bats consume from 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of insects.

Giving birth in June or July, the bats and pups hang around til October when they head back south. Watching the nightly forays for food is a favorite evening activity, especially in late summer.

We got there nice and early, excited to see some bats at dusk. We read online that you should bring an umbrella. Guano is all I have to say about that.

Ben and his mad photo skillz

 A few moments to throw some rocks in the river. But not too long, we didn't want to miss the show! I love that Ev and I were matching! I kept thinking she was a grown-up in those jeans.

 My real-life little buddy.

 Throwing, throwing, gone! 

 Everyone showing up to join our party.

Let me hear a "woo woo" if you were lucky enough to get this text picture from Ben (don't feel bad if you didn't, he just sent it to family. If you are family and you didn't get it, Ben probably doesn't love you as much as everyone else. JUST KIDDING)

 It's getting dark...hmmmm...no bats. Waiting, waiting, waiting....

 Still waiting...

And we waited long enough. It got too dark to see the stinkin' bats even if they did come out. Maybe next time count batulas, maybe next time. 

Snappys

Here are a few random snapshots from around the Wyeth household

 I caught Hannah watching Signing Times with Henry. She is so sweet! 

 Henry on his monkey blanket from his Grammie.

 Hannah made Lego dolphin beds for the momma and baby dolphin

 These are my feet in Evelyn's shoes! She is 7 yrs. old and I am borrowing her shoes! 7.5 women's.

 Hannah made a dolphin tank in the back yard.

 I was just in time for the feeding and the dolphin show. Just pretend Will isn't in his tiger skivvies.

Go Jewel! (I think that was the dolphin's name that day, sometimes it's Winter)

 Matchy matchy! 

 Henry probably feels behind bars some days

 Monkey Will! 

Monkey Hannah! 

These guys sure do make life fun and interesting! 

The Alamo

We have a bucket list of things to do while we are living here in Texas. One of them was visit the Alamo. Evelyn had learned about it in school and Hannah and Will knew about it from some landmark flashcards. We had no idea that it was just right smack in the middle of San Antonio! We thought we would have to drive a ways to get there, no siree! We were coming to San Antonio anyways, so it was not even out of our way.

 The kids were really surprised with how small it looked in real life. 

  A pretty path on the grounds

 These were MONDO koi. The picture just doesn't do them justice. They were as big as Henry! 

 San Antonio mural

 We took a walk along the Riverwalk. Very cool. Well, it was really hot, but it was pretty exciting. I want to go on a few dates there with Ben and try the different restaurants. 

 We made it back to the mall and got another pose at the even smaller Alamo!

See that elevator WAY up high? Ben took the kids for a ride in it! Wha-hoooo!

The Boys

I miss the girls during the day, but am enjoying some time with the boys. Just a few years ago, I was home during the day with a 3 yr old girl and a 1 yr old girl, now it's the same but with boys! I sure do love these little guys. 

 This book was apparently a bit of a snoozer.

 Henry loving the soft blanket Grammie made him (he loves the monkey side just as much!) The kids like the little round imprints this side of the blanket leaves on his cheeks. 

Oh Henry! 

 Wheeee!

 The thrift store had this rockin' tool set for $2.99! How could we pass that up?! Well, actually I did, but then decided the next day that we truly needed it so Ben went back and got it for me:) I'm glad it was still there!

Needless to say, it's a hit! 

And They're Off!

This post is a little late, but it's here! It's been one whole week since the girls have been in school. They have loved it and we are so grateful! 

 Here's Evelyn all ready to start SECOND grade! 

  

 Hannah all ready for KINDERGARTEN!

 Ben did a good job of capturing a true happy Hannah face. 

 Sweet-Sparklepop-Sisters proud of their matching horses

 This was Hannah in her classroom a few days before school at the "Meet the Teacher Night" 

 Hannah is always a little nervous about things until she sees them. Once she met Ms. Kerley and saw her classroom, she was rip-roaring-ready-to-go! 

 She is still so little but growing up so fast! What a champ! 

 Here is Evelyn in her classroom

 One proud papa of his learning-lovin' daughters! 

 Enjoying the carpet in E's classroom

 1st day of school off the bus! 

2nd day of school yogurt parfaits! Granola, fruit and yogurt. Hannah drew a picture of it at school, tre-cute! 

What wonderful girls we have been blessed with! We are so grateful that they love to learn so much and that they are just so good! Love you ladies!