The MacFarland's » Kristin

Snow Day!

krmac — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:11:09 +0000

After waiting patiently all winter for some snow, we finally got some today! Final reports say Round Rock got about 2 to 2.5 inches of snow and it was just enough to be able to get out and have some fun in it. I loved watching it come down hard all day but was sad that the kids were in school and not home. I thought about getting them out early, but I decided to wait because I knew it was going to continue. It had let up for an hour or so before I left to get them and was wishing it would start coming down hard again and as I was sitting in the pick up line, it did! The kids were super excited, talking 90 miles an hour and we couldn’t get home quick enough. They ran upstairs, threw on extra layers of clothes, got their jackets on and darted outside, straight to the trampoline. It was like a dream come true for them really. I had been telling them since we got the trampoline last summer that if it ever snowed, they could go out and jump and play on it. So many giggles, so many smiles. We didn’t stay out too long because the kids were soaked and cold but before we headed back inside we ran out front to make a snowman. I loved watching them go crazy in the snow, even if it wasn’t all that much, it was only the second time we have seen a decent snowfall since we moved here in 1998. And to top it off, it was Kacey’s first real snow! Here are some photos from our fun in the snow…

Down on the Farm

krmac — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:26:43 +0000

Yesterday Kacey and I accompanied Brady’s second grade class on their field trip to Elgin Christmas Tree Farm. We left the school at 9:15am met the buses there around 10am. When I first found out that they would be going here for their spring field trip, I was puzzled and kept wondering why they chose this over some of the other things they could have done. I mean, come on, a Christmas Tree Farm…in the spring?! Well, turns out that the Farm operates not only during Christmas but October and April as well. In April they open the farm up to school field trips only. It was a very nice day and the kids (and me) had such a fun time. When we first got there our class headed over to a barn where they each planted some wildflowers in a cup to take home. There were plenty of animals to pet, even some baby goats, kittens and ducks. Sally the Bassett Hound was a hit and if I could have smugled her out of there without being noticed, I would have. The kids got to run through a maze, although it is still being built and will eventually be a maze of 6 foot tall wood fencing. As you will see in the pictures, even with just the orange netting, the kids kept going in circles trying to get out, all the adults thought it was so funny! We ate lunch under a big pavilion and listened to one of the ladies that works on the farm talk about what it takes to raise the trees. We were shocked to hear that last year they lost many trees due to the 8 month drought. That’s right…8 whole months without a single drop of rain! She also did a project with the kids that involved making a flower out of a pencil, some clay and a pipecleaner. While the kids worked on their projects she talked more in depth about growing plants and flowers and what they need to grow. After lunch we all hopped on a lengthy hayride that criss crossed and went all around the huge property. The tractor driver dropped us off at a play area back in the trees. The kids got to play for a bit before it was time to leave. It was a fun day, complete with a few sunburns and some alleriges, but all in all it was a blast! The kids and I decided we really need to go back during Halloween and Christmas. Click on the picture below to view all of the photos.

Take me out to the ball game

krmac — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:31:45 +0000

Last night we went to game 2 of the opening season series for the Round Rock Express. For anybody who doesn’t know, the Express are the AAA team for the Houston Astros. Even though they lost, it was a great game with a few really good plays by both teams. Scott enjoyed explaining the game to Brady and Kacey sat still and did really good for most of it. We pigged out on hot dogs, nachos and cotton candy. I just love being out at the ball park, there is just something about the smells, the sounds, the atmosphere. I love the sound of a fastball going into the catcher’s glove. I love the sound of the crowd cheering. After the game, we watched the fireworks show. It was great and had a fantastic ending. We really enjoyed our evening and the weather was perfect!

Here are the rest of the photos from last night.

San Antonio Trip ~ March 19-21

krmac — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:39:22 +0000

Scott and I spent 3 days in beautiful San Antonio for our 10th wedding anniversary. We had so much fun, the weather was perfect and the whole city was in bloom! We spent our days going to the San Antonio Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Riverwalk and Fiesta Texas. Thursday after we checked in our awesome hotel, the Drury Plaza on the Riverwalk, we headed for the Zoo. It was such a nice time, the animals were very active and the flowers and plants were so gorgeous! After that, we headed back to downtown and strolled around and took in the sights and beauty of the river. That night we had dinner at the famous Casa Rio, which is the oldest and first established restaurant on the Riverwalk. Friday we spent our morning at the Botanical Gardens. We took lots of photos and had a nice time walking around and seeing everything. Friday night we had dinner at Chart House in the Tower of the Americas. What a fabulous night of exquisite food and unbeatable sunset views of the city. We had one of the best tables in the place, it was cozy and next to the windows. We dined on Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, Shrimp and sizzling mushrooms. It was almost sureal to be having dinner 750 feet above the city! Afterward we strolled around the grounds of the Tower and the water gardens. It was such a romantic, relaxing evening and was the perfect way to spend our 10th anniversary. Saturday morning we went to Fiesta Texas and it was almost too crowded to enjoy ourselves. We did manage to ride the best 2 rides out there, the Superman Krypton Coaster and Goliath. After a hot day walking around the park it was time to make the drive back home. It’s funny how you can go on a trip to relax and unwind but you come home exhausted! All in all it was an awesome time that went by way too fast!

CLICK HERE to see our photos from our trip

Ten Years Ago…

admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:27:43 +0000

Ten years ago, on March 20, 1999, I married my best friend. He has always been my rock and my support. I love him more each and every day and am so thankful that God put him in my life. I put together a little something to celebrate our commitment to one another and the love we have for each other. Turn up your speakers, click the photo and enjoy!

Blue and Gold Banquet

krmac — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:20:07 +0000

Last night we attended the Scouts’ Blue and Gold Banquet. It was a night to honor all of the scouts who have worked so hard toward earning their rank badge. Brady and the rest of his den mates earned the Wolf badge for sucessfully completing the Wolf Trail this year. We had a yummy barbeque dinner followed by desserts made by the boys. They had a contest of the desserts and it was fun to see all of the creations made up by the scouts. At the end of the evening, there was a specatcular ceremony for the Webelos II who are moving onto Boy Scouts. A handful of local Eagle Scouts performed the ceremony for them and it was really neat. Kacey wasn’t too thrilled with the drum being pounded on and the lights being turned out. It was a very enjoyable evening and it was really neat to see all the scouts advance and earn their badges. We are so proud of our Scout!

CLICK HERE for the rest of the photos from last night’s events.

Christmas ’08

krmac — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:30:38 +0000

Christmas was tons of fun this year, the kids were hyper and going nuts and it was so much fun to watch them get excited about Santa coming! I was so impressed in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day as they were so patient and never really bugged me to open the gifts that were wrapped and sitting under the tree. Our Christmas Eve tradition is to open all the wrapped gifts from each other. The morning of the 24th, they knew this and all day proceeded to get very anxious about those presents under the tree. They started asking when was it time to tear into them, so earlier in the day we let them pick one gift to open and the rest we managed to get through dinner time then there was just no holding them back. We got them both books, boards games and Kacey got a Barbie and Brady got the Wii Nerf game. They were very happy with what Mommy and Daddy got them but once the excitement of what was in those boxes under the tree waned, their attention quickly turned to Santa. We tracked Santa on the NORAD Santa Tracker until he was in South America then it was up to bed so Santa wouldn’t skip our house. They both went to bed very easily and with no hassles like usual, they knew this night they had to be on their best behavior and that meant going right to sleep!

The next morning I awoke to a tap on the head and a voice saying “Come on! Let’s go!” It was Brady….I looked at the clock and it said 4:30am!!!! I explained to him that it was way too early to be up and for him to go back to bed. I don’t think he ever went back to sleep, he hung out patiently in his room watching tv and playing with toys until 7:30 when there was just no holding him off. So I asked him to go wake his sister and they could head downstairs to see what awaited them. Scott and I listened from our bed, it was too cute listening to the “ooohs and awww’s” coming from the living room downstairs. We jumped up and ran down to see them carrying on with huge smiles on their faces. Mission Accomplished for another year Both of them got what they had really wanted and then some. Santa loves to load their stockings down with goodies and fun little gadgets and toys. I love watching them sit in the floor and dump them out and sort through it all and I think they really love that part too! For anyone who is curious (family mostly I’m sure) here is the rundown of what they got…

Brady:

Vulcan Fully Automatic Nerf Gun (this was his most wanted item, he talked about it for weeks!)

Fusion Asphalt Scooter (he’s been wanting this for a while)

EduScience 120x Telescope

Discovery Channel Science Rock Tumbler (which is currently on Day 2 of tumbling rocks)

Mouse Trap and Sorry! Sliders Board Games

Young Scientist Kit: Crystals, Fossils, Minerals

Wilson Football

All kinds of stocking goodies including rocket balloons, punching balloons, candy, action figures, a keychain LED flashlight, play microphone

We got him a set of mystery books (he LOVES to read), the board game Clue and the Wii Nerf Game

Kacey:

Pink and Purple Razor Scooter (her most wanted item)

Pink Talking Cash Register

Swim with Me Puppy

Baby Doll Stroller

Baby Doll that teethes

Fur Real Baby Pig

Barbie Ballerina Dress

Barbie Diamond Castle Liana Styling Head

Her stocking was full of bath toys,bath tablets that color the water, Fizzing Bath Eggs, candy, play microphone,Disney Princess figurines

We got her some Little Critter books (her favorite), Horton Hears a Who Board game, and Princess Liana Barbie Doll

Here is all of our photos from the day…. Christmas 2008

Homemade Birdfeeders

krmac — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:32:27 +0000

Some of the pine cones went to good use already! The kids made birdfeeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed yesterday. They turned out really good! (See previous post)

Weekend Getaway

krmac — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:17:58 +0000

This past weekend we met my parents at Bastrop State Park for a short, but fun weekend getaway. I love the Lost Pines and the feeling of being in far East Texas but only 30 minutes from home! My parents drove up on Friday to get Brady so he could have an extra night out there hanging out with grandpa. Scott, Kacey and I got there early Saturday morning and as soon as we had our tent set up we went on a long hike through the pines, it was awesome! The sun shining through the pine needles, the smell of fresh air with a hint of pine was all I needed to feel relaxed.The weather was sunny and cool during the day, although it was a little windy. Saturday night was the coldest of the week (of course!) so the kids stayed in the camper with my parents and Scott and I braved it in our tent. It really wasn’t bad at all once you got all snuggled under the warm blankets, we both slept pretty well. My parents cooked a great dinner Saturday night….grilled chicken can’t be beat! Sunday we had a huge breakfast and everyone was stuffed after that wonderful meal of scrambled eggs, bacon and puppy dog tails with gravy. I grew up eating them, it’s what my great-grandma called fried bisuit dough. Yummy! The kids went nuts the whole time, they had so much fun running around exploring and collecting pine cones. Back behind our campsite was a small trail that made a loop back to our site. It had a fallen tree across the start of it and the kids loved walking across it to get to the little foot bridge crossing a dry creek. The other end also had a log going across the creek and you had to brave it to get to the other side. I even walked across it a few times! Sunday morning I had everyone helping to collect pine cones to take home with us. I am going to use them to decorate with at Christmas and the kids and I made bird feeders from a couple of them yesterday, hope the little birdies like them! We rolled them in peanut butter then birdseed and boy did it turn out to be some messy fun!

I can’t wait to take the kids back out there again, hopefully we get a nice warmer weekend soon!

I took a ton of photos and am just now done with going through them! Here they are…

Bastrop State Park Campout

Halloween ’08

krmac — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:49:55 +0000

This was probably the most fun Halloween yet! I think the warm weather and the fact it fell on a Friday this year helped. There were tons of people out and lots of great decorations at everyone’s houses. The kids were hyper and ready to go out as soon as the sky was hinting at getting dark. So we got ready and went trick or treating. Brady was grim reaper with a bleeding chest and Kacey was a dainty little Cinderella, quite a contrast huh? We left Scott at the house to hand out candy and I took the kids out, mostly so I could take pictures. We didnt go too far and after the kids got an “acceptable” amount of candy, we came back to help pass out candy. They ended up with enough to put them into a sugar induced coma for the next 2 months! We loved seeing all the little kids dressed up and there were several adults dressed up too! Everyone was is such a festive mood, it was definitely the best year yet! I was especially proud of my pumpkins too, I worked feverishly over the last 24 hours to get them done. I had 2 left over and decided my arms needed the break so I stuck them out front for decoration. Not an hour after I did that Scott sent over two patterns he wanted to do and when I saw them I knew I had to go get them and get started. Overall it was a fun night full of candy and smiles!

Halloween ’08 Photos