Think I'll go to Austin...

Every year, usually in August, Kaleb has to go to Austin, TX, for an election conference. The first year we were married, I got to go with him! It was my first time being there, and I loved it! The next 2 years, however, the conference was my first week of school. Boo! This year, it was back to being at the beginning of August, so Kam and I got to go along! Free hotel stay and getting reimbursed for gas?? Yes, please!!

We had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants that I only get on vacations...Steak n Shake!!

After dinner, we got to see the bats! One of the largest urban colonies of bats lives under the Congress St. bridge in downtown Austin. By "one of the largest," I mean between 750,000 and 1 million bats. They stay there in spring and summer, and every evening at sunset, they take off to have a nightly feast on bugs! Yum! (Kam loved that part:) ) We got to the bridge about 7:30, and the sun didn't actually set until between 8 and 8:30. So we waited! Our sweet boy kept asking where the baseball game was. We tried to explain (several times) that these weren't baseball bats...they were the animals.



And then they came! And kept on coming! They were everywhere for at least 15-20 minutes straight! You could hear their wings, all fluttering together...it really was amazing.

During the day, Kaleb had meetings to go to, so Kamden and I spent time at the pool in the hotel (mostly in the hot tub, per his request)...

And did a little sight-seeing! I basically just drove until I found something that looked kid-friendly. I happened upon The Domain, which is this awesome outdoor shopping center that had me at Charming Charlie's! I didn't buy anything, but looking was enough!! We found a Yogurt Planet, which I have decided is my favorite dessert place E.V.E.R.

Then, we spotted this little splash park, and Kamden begged asked so nicely, "Pweeeeeeease, Mama??" So I said what the heck?? Go for it!!

We headed back to the hotel after that (I didn't get lost once on this trip!!) where Kaleb was waiting for us. And we had some delish dinner at Buca di Beppo!

Then we headed to Golfsmith so Kaleb could dream big!!

Kamden had a little meltdown shortly after this picture because he didn't just want to putt, and we didn't want to pay for anything in the store. So we consoled him with a trip to Baskin Robbins. Yum=)

The next day, I have no pictures...Kam and I went to Lakeshore Learning (can you hear the angels singing??) and then to Petco so he could see some animals. We came back to the hotel, swam, and napped until Kaleb came home! Then we headed out for dinner with his co-workers at P.F. Chang's (yum!) and then to Round Rock to see a minor league baseball game! Kamden lasted almost the whole game. (This is his camera smile now)

He was so excited about seeing this mascot. He hugged him and then actually gave a real smile while looking at the camera!!! This is huge for us. He doesn't do this often. At all.

The next morning, we headed back to Bridge City! It was such a wonderful little getaway for us. I just wish Ella could've been with us!! She starts first grade on Wednesday...unbelievable!!!

We had my sister-in-law's baby shower on Saturday, which turned out so cute!! Hopefully I can get pictures of that soon (they are on other cameras!!).

This also is my last week of summer. I'm excited about school starting, but sad about leaving my sweet boy. It's been so nice being off with him this summer! We are visiting his new sitter this week so that he can get a little familiar with her before he starts next Monday. And we have big plans for this weekend...one of my college housemates is getting married Friday, so I get to see friends I haven't seen in years, plus some of those friends are coming to stay the weekend with us!!! I am absolutely thrilled! It'll be a great way to end the summer!!