Happy 12th Birthday, Nick

 Every birthday that comes around for Nick I remind him that he completed our family.  Jay started our family but Nick completed it.  Nick will always be my younger one, the one I always see with those big blue eyes and blond hair.  The toddler who didn't speak a word until he was 18 mos old and then he never stopped talking.  Kid you not!  But it's one of the things we love about Nick.  Close friends and family have commented to me that all of the sudden Nick looks older to them.  I could not agree more.  He got a nice hair cut that he styles himself (ha) and he's gotten taller.  You put all of those things together and wa-la, my youngest is slowly but surely turning into a young man.

 Last night we had family over to celebrate Nick's birthday since today he has a track meet after school.  My mom got Nick his cookie cake and didn't realize she had gotten pink until after she purchased it.  We thought Nick was going to have the big one, but instead he sweetly said, "It's okay, Nana."

 Some things I've noticing about Nick.  He is really self sufficient.  He just gets things, how they operate, and how best to get something done, almost to a fault.  Let's just say Nick is very opinionated about things.  His mouth is one of his greatest attributes but this year has also been a great detriment to him.  It's a work in progress getting him to understand the value of what does and doesn't come out of his mouth.  I pray he uses how to best use his mouth and his words for God's glory one day because if he can figure that out, the sky is the limit.  He's exceptionally wonderful when it comes to sportsmanship.  He knocks good sportsmanship out of the park.  I have continually witnessed him on the basketball court be kind to others.  During XC and now track I see him encouraging his team mates and other runners for competing schools.  Often times he wants to stay to the bitter end of track meets (something this momma does not care to do) just so he can cheer his friends on.  This part of Nick's personality just comes naturally to him.

 On Friday night we took Nick to Scheels for his birthday.  He had a wad of cash he wanted to spend on fishing gear.  Mission accomplished!  I think Nick eats, breathes and sleeps fishing.  It's his all time favorite thing to do these days.

 This is what I'm talking about when I say Nick just looks older to me.  This is such a sweet picture of Nick and his nana.  He's just right on the cusp of being a teenager.

Happy Birthday, Nick.  We sure love you!  You provide such entertainment, and curiosity to our  crazy family!

Happy Birthday Curtis and Nick

 As this summer gets closer and closer and the end of another school year comes to an end, the reality that Ausili's will be moving by mid summer is hitting us all closer to home.  Every time they come out I'm so aware of the fact that our time together is limited.  It feels like the end of an era and in many ways it is.  This week Curt turned 16!  We got together last night to celebrate his birthday, Nick's birthday and Faith brought her friends out so we could discuss her graduation party.  As Jenny said we are going to go out with a bang!

   You have no idea the coaxing it took to get a smile out of these two ya-hoos.

 The girls!  I'm hosting Faith's friend graduation party in June with Daisy and Anna as part of the party also.  I'm really looking forward to it!

 Jay and Faith have always been close and I know he will miss these girls next year (even though he'd never admit it).

I had to laugh because once the girls and I set the date for the party Daisy and Faith immediately started setting up a facebook party page and Anna got her notebook out full of the names of the people they would be inviting.  As my mom said that is girls for you, organized and in charge!

San Antonio

 For the final leg of our trip we headed down to San Antonio.  Going to S.A. was my mom's brilliant idea and trust me there is no sarcasm when I say brilliant!  We loved it and wished we could have stayed longer.  S.A. had a different vibe than Austin and Waco.  The weather was beautiful, not too hot, not too cold.  We walked a ton and enjoyed the beautiful scenery from the river walk.  And of course we ate!  See picture below.

Yum! 

 More pictures from the river walk.  A band was playing the day we were there.  We also walked to the Alamo!

 This peacock came was walking around the hotel grounds on our final night.  It let me get close enough to snap a picture - so cool!

The colors on the river walk were gorgeous.  Notice the bright colored umbrellas in the background and the beautiful flowers.

Thanks mom for the best trip ever.  I loved all the time we spent together, and all the laughs we shared.  It was truly a memory I will never forget or take for granted.

Austin bound

 The next leg of our trip was Austin.  We stayed at a boutique hotel, visited the Oasis (picture above) and saw a gorgeous sunset.  We ate at The Culinary Drop out (yum) and the South Congress Café (which might have been my favorite meal but it's a toss up between that and Magnolia Table).

 And I discovered Sprinkles.  Who knew you could get cupcakes at any time, even during the night.  I had a thing with cupcakes this trip, but I'm here to tell you nothing compared to the lemon lavender cupcakes at Magnolia.

 Mom and I enjoying our drinks at The Oasis, getting ready to watch the sunset over Lake Travis.

 John joined Mary on the final day of our trip in Ausin.  He fit right in with us!

 On our first night in Austin we ate at The Culinary Drop out.  Once again it was another fabulous meal.

 It was warm in Austin but not stupid hot.  The weather was wonderful.  Iwore sleeveless tops but never liked the way my arms looked in pictures so I look armless in a few of these pictures.

 See....no arms!  Melissa lives in Austin.  She met us for dinner.  It was wonderful catching up with her and sharing some laughs.

 Hello relaxation!  This was our pool at our hotel in Austin.

The view from The Oasis!  Austin is a very pretty city.  It had a completely different feel/vibe to it than Waco and especially San Antonio, but we all enjoyed Austin and we were glad we got to experience it.

 We stayed at the Archer Hotel in Austin in the domain area.  We really liked it.  Mary got a suite!  Shannon and I teased her as we were unsuccessful in getting our rooms upgraded.  Ha.

Mary and I on South Congress in Austin.  That yummy café was just down the street from the book store.  We just loved that café!  Mom and I split a Denver omlette and I'm telling you we are still talking about that omlette.  In case you haven't noticed, yes, we were all about the food. 

Waco & Magnolia

 Mom, Shazoko, Shannon and I flew into Dallas to find Mary (see below) waiting for us.  From Dallas we drove to Waco where we stayed at the Barndominium.  The barndominium was featured on Fixer Upper.  We loved that place.  It also provided some much needed rest for Mary and Shannon.  The picture of Mary and I is from Magnolia.  We got the lemon lavender cupcakes and let me tell you I'm still thinking about those cupcakes.  I was also introduced to lavender latte's, another favorite of mine!

 The owner of the barndominium could not have been sweeter.  Her rental was truly a blessing to us.

 Gorgeous!  There just aren't any other words other than gorgeous!  I loved everything about this place.

 A glimpse of our backyard at the barndominium.  It was peaceful, tranquil and quaint.  One afternoon we came home, laid on the deck and all five of us read.  I mean really......eating, resting, book reading, great company, wonderful weather........does it get any better?

 My sweet momma.  She loved the vaca as much as I did.  She loved Magnolia and we loved experiencing it together.

 Yep, more cupcakes.  If only I lived closer, but then I'd be really fat.  Those cupcakes.....I'm still dreaming about them.

                                                         Our crew!  Love them all!!!

We went to Magnolia Table!  We all decided that our most favorite place to eat was either Magnolia Table or South Congress Café (in Austin).  I just loved how Joanna and Chip set up their restaurant.  It is truly set up for conversation and time together and the food was ridiculously good!