Texas Spring

Most of our visits to the Lone Star State are either wintry cold or summer hot. Everything is brown and dead. The kids didn't know it any other way until this year. 

Spring in Texas is beautiful! The weather was perfect and the colors so vibrant! It was bluebonnet season, too. 

I had forgotten about the buttercups. These were fun growing up as we would let the flower "kiss" your cheek and leave yellow pollen.

There was plenty of work to be done on the farm. Lots of grass to mow...

Weeds to spray and pull...

And limbs to pick up and burn (forgot to take a picture of the fire pit). This was Alex's first time in Texas. We had to get him into the proper gear for walking around, at least until the high brush was cleared.

While driving around the land, Ashlyn wanted to stop to take a picture in the bluebonnets.

Then it was time for fishing. It was cute seeing the newlyweds hang out, although it got a bit much after a while. 

Fishing was good! The bass weren't large, but they were still fun to catch. Both Ashlyn and Alex each caught a few.

After our chores, it was time to relax and play. An instant pickleball court was set up outside the annex.

I enjoyed my long walks in the countryside.

Every trip to Texas must include two things...real Czech kolaches

and barbeque!

Occasionally there's the additional stop at the birthplace of Dr. Pepper.

The trip was timed perfectly to attend a Mass at the church where Eric and I got married exactly 29 years ago (weekend after Easter). 

Our added bonus for the trip was the total eclipse! While the cloudy, overcast skies diminished it's typical effect, the phenomenon was nontheless pretty cool.