The Past Couple Weeks

Nate and Naomi in the Hood's fairy grass (aka rye grass) of a backyard! The Hoods planted the grass in the early fall, then it will die in the spring and then you can harvest it as actual rye (like the bread, or the Poirot mystery, or like the gluten that Mica can't eat).

The watermelon had its last days mid December.
Alas, there was some gooey gross stuff on the outside of it, then when we opened it most of it looked bad to eat. But mom and I took a wee bit of the good parts; it wasn't extraordinarily sweet. But, I actually grew something!

So, while the girls were in Dubai, Mr. Neal mentioned that he was going to ship a few things to our house, and we could open the boxes, put some letters and stuff in, and condense the contents into one box. So the first day, we got two skinny packages, I wasn't sure how we were going to a book and a bottle of Witch Hazel (for cloth diapers) into those packages. But every day we continued to receive more packages, and boxes, till three weeks later, we had 19 boxes! But, we managed to condense everything into three or four boxes!! Mica and I were very proud of ourselves. :P

This little field mouse was literally an inch big. We found it in the Hoods backyard.

A sweet friend gave me a mug!

We got to meet the Hood's Nonnie and Poppie!

[Note the impressive deer head, stylishly mounted on the wall, compliments of Mr. Hood.]

Dom with his sword, Mia with her hat.

Yeah, this is pretty much how we take pictures; that's why we can never take professional family portraits.

This scarf is the courtesy of Mrs. Mitzi.
Thanks a bunch!

Oh, we went shooting too!

To get to this "shooting range", we had to drive very, very far, past the sticks. But it was worth it because there was no one at the range to boss you about; just you, your guns, your friends, and other people with their guns and friends.

The family, well some of it.

Yes, we believe in child labor. :P

Nicole bought Elena, Mica, and Mom some special cupcakes-- from the best cupcake place in Austin-- for their birthdays which we had missed.

Love,
Caro :)

The Gospel-Centered Marriage Conference--In Pictures

Surprisingly, I did not take many pictures of this part of the trip. I was quite occupied with taking notes instead. which I plan to share on this blog once we're settled in Dubai.

The weather was just beautiful: COLD! We all enjoyed pulling out our scarves, jackets, and boots. But, more on the actual conference at a later time. 

For now, here are the--few-- pictures I took.

Caro and I with Esther Leclerc.

Us girls with Emily Rose Brookshire.

Our good friends, the Smiths.

New friends, Aaron and Chelsea.

Smith girls, Marques girls (plus Dad), and a Barton girl.

Visit with the McNiels.

One of few pictures of the actual conference.

Bye bye For The Weekend

Don't mind the 1 finger, he hasn't gotten used to holding 2 up yet :).

This weekend we will be heading to Austin for Dominic's 2nd birthday party. He turned two yesterday and being us, we just have to celebrate :). Food, conversation, and a pinata are on the agenda.

Around this season of life, Nicole has these spurts of crazy energy to do big projects (clean out the garage, for example). And that spurt came pretty recently and so we will also be doing some cleaning in the garage this weekend. I hope we accomplish much.

Be looking for pictures sometime next week.

In Christ,

~Micaela

Trampoline, Babies, and Fun

While the Hood family has been staying with us, some of the clan from Austin came down for a visit (Grandma, Emily, and Sophia). And the four girls played and played,and I occasionally helped them. :P

Naomi Hood in her bouncer!

The Grandma's!

"Emily, smile!"

I thought this was a cute picture of Mom and Nate!

The Cleaning Crew.

The four girls, or more like the four mommies with their babies.

What could be better in a summer in Houston, than to play on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath! :)