Our last day in Austin

Yesterday was our last full day in Austin. We had a busier-than-expected prior few days, but had temporary plans to meet Nick over at Pedernales Falls to just walk around and take in the sights there in the morning. However, Tuesday's track meet with Olivia ran late, the little kids were really tired (as were we), so we regretfully cancelled our plans with Nick and decided to just stay home, do some light laundry, hang out with the kids, and get ready to get back on the road today. But mid-morning, we received a call from Nick. He said he would just drive on up to Austin and spend the afternoon hanging out with us. So we played around the house with the little kids, ate an early lunch, and put them down for their naps. Just before 2:00 in the afternoon, Nick drove into the driveway and he was NOT alone ...
Rachel and the kids had arrived home to San Antonio the day before, so they all came to visit with us. Nia really really liked wearing the little princess high heels we had bought for Karis's 3rd b'day. Karis was still taking her nap ... but when she woke up, she was willing to share them with her little cousin.

And Grandpa Jones got to see baby Lottie again ... look at his happy face!

Olivia came home from school with her medals from the track meet ...

Jackson got to hold Lottie and was very pleased ...

Jackson has told Andrew and Sabrina that he would very much like a baby brother (!) ~ however, his parents have their own ideas about that and think it's really nice a tiny cousin lives nearby for Jackson and Karis to hold and play with now and again ... much easier :)

Look at Grandpa Jones with these two little princesses!

We celebrated Andrew's birthday (early) over at the Macoroni Grill in Barton Springs. Notice how nicely Olivia poses for this picture ... hmm ... she did allow us some nice pictures of her once we got back to the house after dinner ~ I told her when I returned to Michigan, I was going to update the grandchildren pictures I have hanging in our dining room and she certainly didn't want me to leave last year's photo up there when everyone else was now a year older, did she?

We had some small presents for Andrew to open up, and the children gave him their early present as well. I like this picture of them with their daddy.

When Grandpa Jones and I got up this morning, everyone joined us for breakfast at the table and we had some sad goodbyes. Sabrina cheered Jackson up by telling him she would make a calendar where they could mark off the days until they come to Michigan. By my calculation, they are due to arrive 10 weeks from today ... on Jackson's 5th birthday!