Leakey Retreat...

Our family was able to take a little retreat with some of our best friends this past week. We went to the Texas Hillcountry, to my former bosses retreat home in Leakey. It was absolutely wonderful to just get away and be refreshed. Our cell phones did not get service and we did not even bring our computer. It was so nice just to spend time as a family and get to catch up with Lindsay and Landon. They brought their 4 month old, Hannah, and she was an absolute joy. She is such an easy going baby. At first Zoee got a little jealous when I would hold Hannah but after a while she loved to be a big helper and give Hannah her paci and make her smile. Overall the kids slept well and were full of joy. They loved going exploring and throwing rocks in the pond. We had great food and sweet fellowship. We tried to go to Garner State park to take the kids on kayaks or paddle boats, but the boat rental place was not open. The kids still had a blast at Garner looking at the rapids and climbing on the rocks. It was a great opportunity for me to continue "letting go." I was so tempted to be fearful and stifle their adventurous spirits but I held my tongue and everything turned out great. I am so thankful for Steve and Susan (the owners of the home in Leakey) for letting us get some nice time away.

Sonny spent some time hitting golf balls and the kids loved chasing the balls once he was finished...

The kids loved going exploring!

Landon brought a hammock and it was a hit! The kids (and the men) loved it...

Zoee loved getting all her gear on so she could be ready for loud noises!

We loved getting to spend time with our life-long friends! We have known Landon and Linds since the beginning of highschool and they were our maid of honor and best man in our wedding. We love time with them- they refresh us so much!

Making smores...

Visiting Garner State Park...

Sitting on the paddle boats- they were still tied up but we tried to make it fun anyway...

Love my little girl!

Little Hannah was so full of joy!

Love these kiddos!

What mom? More pictures!!

Hugs!!

Somethings was so funny!

Hannah Joy with Mommy!

Helping with Hannah...

More outside fun!

Throwing rocks...

New Lens and More in March...

I am so thankful for my husband who always supports and encourages me in my hobbies and my jobs. He loves to make sure that I have the best available equipment to do whatever I am doing. I think I sometimes take this for granted. Just recently he has been researching new lenses for my photography business. He purchased a new one for me about 2 weeks ago and I have had a blast learning to use it. Here are some fun March pictures of just some regular days in the Howard family =).

Enjoying Daddy time...

Going on a safari in the back yard...

Running in the front yard. I try to soak in these precious moments...

Bubbles!!

Front yard fun!

Chalk fun in the driveway...

March Happenings Take 2...

A few weeks ago, our sweet friend Kaitlyn let the kids come and ride her horse, Tripod, for the second time. The kids absolutely LOVE riding him and he is such a good sport. I even got a chance to ride and it really was fun. I love being a Texan and I love that we live in an area that is close to city life and also has some great outdoor adventure!

Ya-ya (Kaitlyn) leading the way!

Kinley and Kristen on Tripod...

Me and my girl!!

Brooks on Tripod...

Great friends!! They have been friends pretty much since they were born!

Zoee and Tripod...

This was honestly a candid picture. There is no way that I could actually ask for him to pose like this AND get a picture!!

So, in Texas the weather can change in about an hour from freezing cold to blazing hot or vice-versa. This is about a week after the pictures of the kids riding Tripod. We were in shorts and enjoying the warm weather. I love when they wear hats but it sure does make them look older. Just can't seem to keep them small!!

Rodeo Houston!!

The rodeo is here!! Great food... lots of dancing... tons of animals... crazy rides!!

The first trip to the rodeo this year was a girl night to see Lady A. It was so nice to have a girls night with such special friends.

This was the first year that the kids headed to the Livestock Show. We had so much fun. Though it was a little crazy trying to figure out parking and Zoee did have a melt-down with Mimi when Asher and I were riding the ferris wheel, it was overall a wonderful day. The kids tried their first funnel cake (which was a hit) and rode tons of fun rides. So thankful for my mom who spends many of her days helping me chase these crazy kids and try to give them an adventure full child-hood =).

Pre-rodeo picks at the house...

Conversation on the ferris wheel:

Me: "Ahh!! Oh my goodness!"

Asher: "Mommy, why are you saying 'Ah... oh my goodness!'"

Me: "Because I am scared!"

Ash: "Oh..."

Ash and Mimi on the ferris wheel...

One of Zoee's favorite rides... flying pink elephant!

handsome little motorcycle man!

me and my girl!

March Happenings...

Spring is here and we are loving it! More outside time with great weather and more time with friends now that hopefully cold season is coming to an end. Here are some recent Howard snapshots...


My mom and I took the kids to the zoo the other day and here are some fun gifts the kids came home with... "Olivia the owl" and "Truck the Alligator." I tried hard to get Asher to give his alligator an "A" name but it was all in vain. He insisted that his name was Truck. It didn't last long though... now he is simply "Alligator."

"Cheese!!"

 Mimi and Papa came to visit the other day and the kids got to sit on Papa's motorcycle!!

Fun with Daddy's boots...

Hammock time at the Burkes with the kids sweet friend, Kinley...

Asher crusin' in Kinley's car...

Sweet siblings...

Asher had his first friend sleep over and Zoee loved it too! Ian spent the night with us and the kids had so much fun. They played like crazy and wore this Mama out but it was worth it. So thankful for their wonderful friends!

Texas weather is so unpredictable. One day we are running in shorts and the next the kids are cuddling with Daddy on the trampoline in weather that keeps this Mommy inside and drinking more coffee!! I am so thankful that the kids have their amazing Daddy to cuddle on the trampoline with them!