In the Mean Time: January 2012

The Big Bend of Texas

8:31 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

Ok... never been to Big Bend?

That doesn't really surprise me since it is WAY out in the middle of nowhere...

Please tell me you've at least heard of this amazing place!

My dad's white water rafting company has been taking trips there for YEARS... my dad founded the company back in 1975 after a trip with college friends to Big Bend to raft the Rio Grande. After a boring, calm first day on the water, the second day was met with flash floods where several boats flipped and rapids raged. Apparently he was hooked and the rest is history...

The company is now headquartered in Big Bend and does more than just rafting... The Far Flung Outdoor Center is a place for the one with an adventurous spirit to the one that just enjoys beautiful scenery! Some of the things to do with Far Flung or on you own include:

Rafting

Canoeing

Camping

Hiking

Backpacking

ATVing

Jeep Tours

Mountain Biking

Dining at The Starlight Theatre

Cactus Viewing

And Much More...

We were lucky enough to stay for several nights at the Casitas that Far Flung recently built with my folks, and Julie and Jason. Julie posted some pictures from the trip on her blog... and here are some of my favs!

Big sister snuggling with the baby sister.

Acting like airplanes... what else?

Don't touch! That would hurt!

Santa Elena Canyon

Hi guys!

Let us know if you're up for a trip! We're always looking for a reason to go back...

Park Day

7:38 PM - Posted by Erin - 1 comments

So, I must say that our Christmas break was awesome! I took almost two full weeks off with Rob and Taylor and REALLY enjoyed the time.

I needed this time badly!

I'll share pictures of our pre-Christmas trip to Big Bend later... a blast with my folks and The Clarkes!

All the Christmas prep... baking and wrapping and singing carols and just soaking up the season... was a definite highlight for me. Starting new traditions and resurrecting old ones always make the holidays fun!

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Day After Christmas are all holidays in our book and we did our best to savor each moment spent with our families - both our little family and our extended families.

Butterfly Exhibit at the museum was also a hit! I think Rob and I were more in awe than Taylor, but we were sure to share some of our nerdy observations with her and the rest of the family that dared brave the trip with us.

We slept in daily... well... my family slept in, and I was up right around 7am each morning. Not sure if that's thanks to the beautiful baby girl in my belly or thanks to the Lord urging me to spend time with Him. Either way, I felt rested and rejuvenated and am thankful for the peaceful time in the mornings.

Our days were also filled with chores, movies, finger paints, play doh, singing, furniture rearranging, snuggling, reading books... thinking of these things I find myself in the midst of such contentment. Sigh.

Warm fuzzies? No Doubt.

Complete humility at God's unfathomable grace? Definitely.

I think one of my favorite days included an impromptu walk to the park.

I happened to grab my camera... here are some of my favorite shots...