Transition

I figured I needed to do a final update on our family blog before we add another child to the mix. I am due in two weeks, and we are all excited/nervous for this upcoming transition to our family. 

When the baby is around 2 weeks old we are doing our big move to Midland, where Mike starts his new job on July 9th. 

We have really tried to take advantage of these last couple months in Austin. We have kept busy with little adventures and simple pleasures. 

 Logan's birthday! We went to a gymnastics center where he and his friends jumped and did tricks for an hour.

 

 After the gym fun we came back to our apartment and had pizza and cake.

 We made him a multicolored train cake, which he didn't stop talking about for weeks after.

 We finally made it to the capital. Very impressive. Surprisingly kid-friendly as well.

 One of our favorite swimming holes here in Austin, Bull Creek.

 Two cousins hanging our together. Logan was fascinated by Nathaniel drinking his bottle.

 Enjoying the outdoors at Enchanted Rock State Park.

 After Enchanted Rock we went to a strawberry farm where we stocked up on berries and made homemade jam and strawberry pie.

 Playing at a park in Georgetown after the Red Poppy Festival.

 After a couple of awkward weeks, Logan has officially transferred to a bed.

 Can't live in Texas without eating some crawfish. For Mother's day we had a big crawfish stew. Logan was obsessed with playing with these things but didn't seem to care when we ate them for dinner.

New Year

I can't believe it is already 2012. Time truly flies. We have enjoyed our time here in Austin, and I can't believe it will be ending so soon. Our plan is to move to Midland around Mayish. Then I feel like everything happens at once: Mike starts his new job, we purchase a home, we have our new baby (a little girl), and we continue our adventures in West Texas. I feel like I can hardly relate Midland to the Texas I'm used to. It is rough, remote, cactus ridden, and a stones throw from some of the most incredible adventure. We are already planning a 150 bike ride to the Davis Mountains. After I have the baby, of course. Below are just a few of the many things we have enjoyed about being in Austin.

I teach a little music class for toddlers. Here are Logan and all his friends. It's hard to get five kids to look at the camera.

One of my good friends, Tiffany Swan, took some family pictures for us in December. She did a great job.

For Thanksgiving, we decided to rent a little cabin in Fredericksburg, Texas. Our good friends, the McCarty's, came along, and we had a calm and rustic Thanksgiving feast.
Logan and his friend Lily playing with the horses at the cabin.

Chillin' on the hammock.

The next day we decided to go on a hike. It was the ending of a great Thanksgiving break.

Big change of pace. Mike climbed Mount Hood with brother-in-law Dave Dance during December break. They hiked up the mountain with skins on their skis- providing resistance so they wouldn't slip down. After summiting they skied down the entire mountain.

This was definitely the highlight of Mike's year.

Cousins Lillie and Logan provided each other with a perfect playmate. I also have to mention Davey, who was always by Logan's side and ever concerned when Logan was sad or needed his blanket.

So much has happened since I last updated our family blog. Our biggest update is that Mike was offered a full-time position working for Apache Corporation where he will participate in oil and gas exploration.

We will be living in Midland, TX, which is wayyy west Texas. Midland is a small, family town that is close to a lot of attractions. Within three hours of driving you can be surrounded by the Southern Rocky Mountains and even ski resorts! And New Mexico is just another hour. We are excited to experience all that West Texas has to offer and are excited for this new part in our journey.

I had to document Logan's obsession with throwing garbage away. EVERY time we see a trash can he looks for some trash and signs please. I think he already knows what he wants to do when he grows up.
Poco Loco Ranch! Our Richter family enjoyed spending time together at a cozy ranch in San Antonio.
Notice the huge goose egg on Logan's head. He must of gotten at least 5 or 6 during that trip.
The whole gang. The kids look pretty enthusiastic too.
Grand kidsdriving the ranch go cart- which was everyone's favorite perk of the place.
Chillin' in the summer sun (except we weren't really chillin', it was like 95 degrees.)
Logan quickly became obsessed with Reed and wanted to do everything Reed was doing.
Homemade cookie cake I made for Mike when he got his full-time offer to work for Apache.
Lovin' having his Aunt's and Uncle's around.
So this isn't Texas anymore...Mike and I took a incredible trip to Utah where we hiked, mountain biked, and just enjoyed the fresh air.

By the way, September- October is moose mating season if anyone wanted to know. We got confronted by 4 different moose! They did not want us on their mountain...
Logan with his Park City cousins, Cameron and Abbey.
Hiking along Gardsman's Pass- hard to get much prettier this time of year.
BEAUTIFUL!! We are thrilled we did the trip and are excited to continue to have mountain excursions.
Two blondie cousins hanging out before a bike ride.

Time Flies

These past two months have flown by. It is incredible how quickly time passes. The highlights of these last two months are:

• My Mom being able join us for a couple of days in Austin. We had a blast!
• A real SNOW that stuck around till late afternoon. (Good for Texas.)
• Projects, projects! I have enjoyed cake decorating and decorating Logan's room.
• Logan's birthday! Officially one: Taking steps, (not solely walking), signing please, clapping, babbling, climbing, and always ready with a big grin.

We loved having my Mom here. Posing with the cake I made her.

Enjoying the sun at my parents property.

Standing where a future home is going to be built.

Fun at home with the little guy.

Our favorite swing at our favorite park.
Hanging out on the soccer fields.

Logan was really excited for the crib he got for his birthday

His favorite thing to do his push his toy train across the room.

I can't believe it snowed! I didn't think I would ever have to wear my Utah jackets again.

Winter Wonderland in Austin!

Our little baldy. He is starting to get hair in the back and it is blond and curly like Mike's was.
Logan's new ride! He loves looking at everyone as we ride our bikes around the neighborhood.

Playing on our porch outside the apartment.

For Logan's birthday, we went out to chick-fil-a and it became his new favorite meal.

Logan turned 1 on March 2nd. My best friend, Ashley Gibby also had her little boy on this same day a year later! It was a special coincidence. Colson and Logan are meant to be friends.

Loving that cupcake.

PROJECTS
I wanted to show the things that I have been working on while being at home. I have loved learning new skills and developing my talents.

I bought canvases and painted these for Logan's bedroom.

This is a tree I created by using paint samples from Home Depot.

Wooden letters from a craft store that I jazzed up.

Mike and I made a cornice for Logan's window.

Logan's new crib from Grandma.

A valentine's cake that I made for Mike.

I cut out strawberry hearts and lined them on the side.

I had fun piping the vines on this cake.

This cake reminds me of Spring.

Logan's cupcakes! I did a technique called paint stripping to get all the colors in the frosting.