Remember the Alamo

and the other 4 spanish missions too!

Richard and I enjoyed a great three day trip to San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country while we were in Dallas last week.  This "babymoon" was a great getaway - our first in 15 months just the two of us.  I had never been to San Antonio and couldn't wait to see the Alamo!

In addition, I had heard about the "Mission Trail,"  a loop including 4 other Spanish missions that we thought would be fun to see.  http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm  It really was history in our backyard and felt like we were in another country.  We decided to rent bikes and to the mission trail this way - about a 16 mile loop.  It was awesome - one of the coolest things we have ever done on vacation (zip lining in Costa Rica might still beat it!).

From the National Park Service:

"The legacy and history of San Antonio and this region began with a simple ceremony when...

in 1718 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located along the San Antonio River. The missions’ purpose? To acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars. And, possibly, meet descendants of those first inhabitants.

The Alamo - Mission San Antonio de Valero

we went to the alamo twice - this time not on the bikes!

The six flags of Texas

Mission Concepcion

Mission San Jose - the "Queen of the Missions"

Mission San Juan

Mission Espada

In addition to our great bike ride, we also relaxed on the River Walk, ate Mexican food three times and drank a few yummy margs. 

Our trip continued with an evening in Fredericksburg, Texas - where we went on our honeymoon 4 years ago.  We walked the pretty main street, ate dinner and had an awesome breakfast at Rather Sweet - an adorable bakery.  On our way out of town, we stopped at Wildseed Farms to enjoy the wildflowers in bloom and pick up some seeds to try back home.

What a fun trip!  Thanks to mimi and grandad for spending 3 days with little brooks!

15 months

a little late, but since we haven't given a true brooks update in 3 months, better late than never.  we were in dallas last week, so this is not the "famous" chair, but it does show that brooks is not a baby anymore - he's a big boy!

At 15 months, Brooks...
...weighs 24lbs 3oz - 46%, is 32 inches tall - 79% and still has a big head!
...is still cruising and crawling incredibly fast - no walking yet.  we keep saying it's going to be anyday, but we've been saying that since january!
...sleeps about 12 hours at night (8 to 8) and is still taking two naps.  we figure the amount he sleeps is at least double what Richard sleeps on a daily basis.
...has been diagnosed with allergies to milk, eggs and nuts :(  we have been to a special hospital for skin allergy testing (National Jewish Hospital - the best in the nation)  this week he even did a 7 hour food challenge to test him with the milk, and after just 1 teaspoon he broke out in hives and we were done.  so, his diet is ever changing.
...still loves to eat! (despite the allergies)  he loves oatmeal, blueberry waffles, fruit, avacados, soy milk, soy yogurt, bread, all veggies, turkey dogs, chicken and especially animal crackers.
...has a few "words" (more like sounds that mean words and we understand)  they include, "dir" for Dirk, "duh" for Duck, and "ba - be" for Baby.  sometimes we even get a "mama" or "dada"
...loves to point to body parts when you ask him.  he knows Ears, Eyes, Nose, Hair, Head, Toes, Hands, Feet, Belly and cutest of all, Tongue (he sticks it out!)
...enjoys going to Gymboree, the church nursery and the playground.  He is showing a little bit of separation anxiety when we drop him off with someone but soon forgets and starts having fun.

...his favorite toys at the moment are his rocking "horse" (really a snail), reading books, trains and all the "Little People."   He is totally adorable when he stands in our front window and watches us in the front yard and smiles through the glass. other favorite things to do: play in the grass and dump out the dirt in mommy's flower pots.