Thank you Lady Bird!

I fiiiiinally went to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center!!

I've wanted to go for like 10 years; 

3 of which I've now lived in Austin.

It's ridiculous right--so hopefully I'll go back again soon.

In fact, the gardens aren't really in bloom yet, 

so I really need to go back to see it in a month or so.

It was still so gorgeous this weekend though.

To me it's epitome of the natural beauty of Austin Texas.

It's actually literally down the road from where my grandma lives though,

so I might be partial to the look of that area.

It set the stage for a lot of my imaginary princess games when I was a kid.

Who can argue with this beauty though??

It was kind of a perfect  day too.

Gorgeous sun, and just a little cool...

"all you need is a light jacket".

The landscaping was really pretty too.

Again, very Texas-y.

That's thanks to Lady Bird.

Did you know you can fill flowerbeds with shards of glass??

It's so pretty!

And there may not be a whole lot of flowers in bloom yet,

but those pretty little bluebonnets are starting to spring up.

It was also such a lovely day due to the fact that I got to hang out

with some of my faaavorite people from Houston.

I'm so glad they came to visit Austin!

It made my weekend.

Look at these cuties!

Grateful for:

Texas,

specifically Austin;

it's beauty and weirdness,

and also Houston

because it's where I grew up with

the wonderful Jensen and Martin families,

also the best and most supportive friends and family,

and CES firesides that provide new perspectives

from modern-day apostles.

Quote of the day:

"As we confront our own trials and tribulations, we too can plead with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we might not shrink - meaning to retreat or recoil.  Not shrinking is much more important than surviving.  Moreover, partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the emulation of Jesus.  The Savior did not shrink in Gethsemane or Golgotha."

--Elder Bednar

Big. Fat. Donuts.

Today, to wrap up my week with Jesse, Max, Dylan and Emma,

before Mom and Dad got back from their big adventure in London,

I took the kids to Gourdough's.

For those unfamiliar with Austin cuisine,

Gourdough's is a part of the ever-growing, super hip,

"trailer food" industry in down-town Austin.

For some reason, we Austinites love the individuality and Austin "weirdness"

that comes from eating cool food from a cart or trailer.

Well Gourdough's is no exception when it comes to weird;

it's all about "Big. Fat. Donuts."

Huge donuts.

Slathered with lots of chocolate, ice cream, cookie bits, cake batter, icing, etc...

There's even one that has bacon on it.

When I told my brothers and sister about it, they wanted in.

They didn't quite think they could handle the donut with bacon on it,

but they had to go.

I think D-bob was especially excited.

(waiting impatiently.)

Dying in 99 degree weather...

but we still love Austin!

Here's the options.

And after much deliberation,

here's what we chose...

Clockwise from top left:

funky monkey

baby rattler

dirty berry

blackout

Watching them eat the chocolate ones reminded me of the book/movie "Matilda"

where Ms. Trunchbull makes a kid eat a whole chocolate cake.

It was against his will though.

These dudes were enjoying themselves.

(and I didn't make them finish them... we have lots of left-overs!!)

This was the most I could get Dylan to eat all week while my parents were gone.

Best sister ever?

No, probably more like worst! :)

...but maybe favorite

(at least for today...)

Grateful for:

such cool siblings to hang out with all week,

and a little sister who makes her brothers breakfast every morning.

They're just the bestest.

I finally saw "What's Up Doc".

It's been a while.  I know I know.  I've got some pictures to make up for it though.  A lot's happened in the last two months!

Went to Disney World with my most favorite people...

And since we were right there in Orlando, we stopped and spent some time in Harry Potter World... it was MAGICAL.

Mom's fave part of the trip: family dinner at Three Broomsticks in Harry Potter World.

This crazy wonderful adventure was followed closely by Christmas!!!  Sooo wonderful.

And I took Soph to the Nutcracker for her Christmas present a few days later.

(Isn't she gorgeous? I just love her.)

(And saw loooots of WONDERFUL people in Houston while we were there, but didn't take any pictures! Lame... )

We saw some Robinsons and Stadlers; such lovely ladies!

Annnnd then, I moved into a lovely little apartment... I have FABULOUS new roommies and sweet sweet neighbors (like Miss Tamara Kelm who brought me these gorgeous flowers as a welcome gift!) I am loving it... it's so much closer to things, and like everyone in my ward lives in this complex... no more driving 45 minutes to have a social life!!

For the first time since I've moved here I actually reside in Austin.

I'm super excited about my room... I've been waiting and waiting to hang these things on the wall and totally unpack and organize my stuff... I feel like suuuch a grown up.

For reals, I've been waiting to hang this up for a year.

My heart is so happy.

Even my ukulele has its own home now--before it was just chillin with Emma's barbies.  It looks so much cooler now.

Okay, if I'm being totally honest, I kind of miss Emma's barbies.  I'll have to get used to my walls not having Tinker Bell painted on them.  I hadn't lived in one place that long for a while, so I got quite used to it.  I'll miss watching staying up late chatting with my Bro's about Star Wars, and music and movies.  I'll miss Emma saying goodnight 4 different times.  I'll miss coming home and chatting with my mom on my lunch breaks, and catching up with my Dad on Sunday nights.  Bonus though, they live real close by in pretty Leander.  They even said I could come visit.

I am grateful though for a brand new year, a brand new chapter and some brand new goals.  My theme for 2012 is: COURAGE.  Courage to study for and take the GRE, and courage to apply to Grad School.  Courage to go gluten free (more about thaaat later).  Courage to work hard and play hard.  Courage to go on adventures.  Courage to LOVE bigger and more often.  Courage to share my testimony.  Courage to be charitable EVERY day.

Grateful for: Barbara Streisand.  I fiiiinally saw "What's Up Doc?"  Why did it take me almost 24 years?  Gracious it was so good!

*******

"B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles." (from the "ABC's of and Abundant Life" ) --President Thomas S. Monson