Proof that we are hilarious parents...

MVI 2055 from holli hale on Vimeo.

The sound of her laughing pretty much makes me happier than anything else.

Texas Finale

Our last days in Austin came much more quickly than I was prepared for. Though I was ready to head back home to Provo, there were still lots of things I wanted to do and see in the great city of Austin. Okay, let's be honest—there was still a lot more FOOD I wanted to eat in the great city of Austin. And eat we did—while stopping at a few points of interest, of course.

The Salt Lick BBQ was a must. Texas is known for it's BBQ, and this did not disappoint one bit. Probably the best BBQ I've ever had—although Jacob went to another place with his co-workers after I left for Utah, and he said that place was even better. Thanks a lot, hun. Now I have to go all the way back to Texas just to make sure you are right. Sooo ruuuude.

woooooooooooooooowww *_*!

Sorry baby, milk before meat!

We spent another day exploring downtown because I love it so much. If anything, the whole downtown area is what I love most about Austin. So fun.

Even the graffiti loves Austin

Took a lil' trip to the Capitol building. I wanted to play frisbee on the lawn like Tim Riggins on FNL.

Star motifs EVERYWHERE. I tried to count all the stars in that building, but it was literally impossible. They take that "Loner Star" thing really seriously.

Baby on the floor!

There was a sign warning about the  awkward historically uneven steps—with their exact dimensions and everything—but I still tripped on them.

I'm sure this cannon thing has some sort of historical significance. We obviously just saw it as a cute baby photo-op.

Next, we hit up a place I had been wanting to try all summer—A food truck dedicated to the perfection and peddling of deep-fried goodness. And yes, I'm talking about doughnuts. Gourdough's!

Austin has soooo many little food trucks and food parks around town. AKA Holli's dreamland.

Poor Rose has to be dragged around wherever we go. She obviously does not yet appreciate the beauty of a perfect donut.

This donut was called the "Mother Clucker." Yep, that's fried chicken and honey butter on a donut. I simultaneously salivate and feel a little sick when looking at this picture. I remember how AMAZING it tasted and also how I never wanted to eat food ever again about ten minutes later. Toootally would go through that again. Do I have a bad relationship with food?

Do I look oddly saint-like in this one? I know I felt as though I were were about to partake of the holy grail of fried foods. It was truly choice above all other donuts.

So after stuffing our faces with super fattening foods, we decided to hike a small mountain.... inspired sequence of events, I know. Our bodies hated us for it.

The view from Mt. Bonnell

Cute daddy and daughter

They are best buds.

Before I officially end all of these Texas updates, may I boast about my cool husband and his cool internship for just a sec? He helped make these LIFE-SIZE ROCK'EM SOCK'EM ROBOTS!!!

On one of our last days in Texas, Jacob took me to Sisu so we could play with these bad boys.

He beat me every time, but it was still fun because I was a good sport.

Just wanted to spotlight the whole reason we came to Texas in the first place. Jacob loved working at Sisu. He learned so much and had a great time while doing it. So proud of him! Now it's back to school for a little while, but I know he'll be glad to get back to work in the near future. Getting paid to make awesome fighting robots is kinda neat, yeah?

San Antonio

On the drive back from South Padre, we made a spontaneous stop in San Antonio to check out the Alamo, the River Walk, and to give Rose a breather from her carseat. Basically, our attempt to do San Antonio in 45 minutes.

I still wonder if Pee Wee's bike in somewhere in the basement... 

Rose among the great legends of Texas

"Alamo? eh...whatever. I'm thirsty."

The River Walk

I wish we could've spent more time here. The downtown area seemed really cool, especially the River Walk. I remember seeing it on TV when the Suns would play the Spurs in San Antonio, and I thought it looked neat. In person it didn't disappoint. These pictures don't really capture it well, but to me it almost felt like I was at Disneyland—which is always a good thing.


p.s.

We made one more stop on our way back home after leaving SA—BUC-EE'S!!! For all the Texas folk who told us we needed to go there, we did. Annnnnd it was AWESOME. For those who have no idea what I'm referring to (For I was once a stranger to Buc-ee's), just imagine the biggest, craziest gas-station-slash-convenient-store ever invented. And then, in your mind, just try to make it a little bigger and crazier. Basically a world in and of itself. That's Buc-ee's.

South Padre Island, TX

When we moved to Austin for the summer, we immediately made plans to visit Amber's family (Jacob's sister) in South Texas over the weekend of our anniversary. First of all, because we love 'em and don't get to see them half as often as we'd like to. Second, because they are always whining about how they don't get visitors down in the glorious, must-see, border-town that is McAllen, TX (AKA Meh-Heeko). Sarcasm detected? I apologize. I'm sure McAllen is a great place. Never been there, so I shouldn't front.

Anyway, most of the summer I thought that's where we were going, and I was excited to see the fam and where they lived. I guess me and Jacob didn't discuss this trip in too much detail because I later realized that our travel destination wasn't McAllen at all, but "the island" as they call it (reminds me of Lost)—also known as South Padre Island, TX. I really didn't know much about this place at all, but I was pretty thrilled to spend our anniversary somewhere with a beach! To be honest, I think I may have forgotten that Texas even has beaches... Gulf of what? who-how? I know, I know. It's a really big state, okayyy?

Rose's first family road trip! Our lil' stowaway.

We were a little nervous for Rose on this trip. We had never driven with her for more than an hour or so (South Padre is about 5 hours south of Austin), and she doesn't always love the car seat situation. Lucky for us, she slept for about 4 of those 5 hours and did the same thing on the way back to Austin. Whhaaaa??? Straight-up miracle.

She's been tippin' the bottle real hard these days... and look at her holdin it all by herself!

Crossing the long bridge to the island!

Ryan's family owns a lovely condo right on the water. Jacob and I got to stay in a room with a balcony, fancy bed, and a crib for Rose, of course! Oh yeah, and the shower was really nice. That was a big deal to Jacob.

Livin' it up.

The night we got there, Ryan took us on a boat ride around the bay. I think this was Rose's favorite part of the whole trip. Even though it looked as though she was swimming in a giant life vest that was way to huge for her—she was making all kinds of cute squealing noises as we rode around with the wind in her face.

We saw dolphins! Even a mama and a baby swimming together. So cute!

Rose liked the boat ride so much that she passed out into deep sleep. Wish we could take her for a boat ride every night!

Don't be fooled by those cute goldilocks and innocent demeanor. "Stealth" is his middle name.

Pale family at the beach!

Amber and Ryan were nice enough to watch Rose so we could go out and have a date for our anniversary. It was the first time we had left her with anyone besides my parents, so I was a little antsy—but let's get real, it was kinda awesome. We needed a date! We were able to go out for lunch on the pier, get a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant, and take a moonlight stroll on the beach. Romantic times. Thanks Amber!

Anniversary dinner at Gabriela's Italian Restaurant—YUM!

FIREWORKS!

More beach pics...

Dane and Camilla are cuties!

Jacob loved showing Rose the beach. She seemed a little unsure about the whole thing.

Camilla referred to this as the "pink cow" swimsuit.

her tiny little body!

Jacob got a surfing lesson from Ryan (the pro)

I loved this little Sea Turtle Rescue place. Such amazing little creatures!

Family photo in front of Gerry the sea turtle.

Camilla and Rose

Every time I brought Rose downstairs in the morning, Dane would clasp his hands and gush, "Oooohhh she's sooo cuuuuute!!! She's sooo adowwable!!!" She seemed to enjoy the praise.

Cousins

I'll miss these cute Wilson kiddos!

Somehow I didn't get any good pics of Amber and Ryan, but they are what made this whole stay so wonderful. They are both so cool and easy to hang with. The late-night talk and laughter was a blast. And they fed us so much good food! This trip was the cherry on top of our Texas adventure. Just what the end of my summer needed. Thanks again, Amber and Ryan, for having us! We love you guys!