It is lovely down here in Austin, weather and landscape and company alike. We are laying around and enjoying ourselves at my mother’s house, after driving up here on Friday night from Crystal Beach, Texas (near Galveston). We stayed in Crystal Beach for three days, where we visited with my husband’s family and stayed at the Sugar Shack right on the gulf. The beach was windy and wild, and it was delicious to hear waves crashing at all hours of the day and night. The kids played with their cousins and the dog played with the cousins’ two dogs, Coco and Macho.
We left Friday afternoon, taking the ferry from the Bolivar Peninsula across to Galveston. Dolphins and seagulls followed alongside, so cool! Unfortunately, I took a wrong turn after the ferry and we ended up driving about 3 hours out of our way. We arrived in Austin late on Friday safe and sound, so all was okay. Texas is a big state!
So, now we are planning our final day in Austin, sites to see, but mostly still laying around and enjoying talking and eating. Ahh, the holidays. It will be 70 degrees today, just perfect. 
Tomorrow we drive back to Houston, flying out on New Year’s day back to Colorado. Back to life, back to reality.
Here are some old photos of my family, my mom is very good at keeping and scanning these. Happy New Year!
Packing for our trip tomorrow, fighting off a cold, trying to keep the kids from fighting and opening presents before tonight, 8 am visit to the vet to get the dog’s health certificate so that we can fly her under our seat for $190 roundtrip, what a ripoff! Our tickets only cost $200 and they’ve never asked for a certificate of health for any of us, animals definitely are second class citizens. 
Ruby’s First Gym Meet of 07-08 Season
