The old mural we covered

The old mural we covered, originally uploaded by THOS.

This wall HAD to be covered! We constructed a wood frame for the cloth sunflower tapestry.

Ike loves to be rubbed

Ike loves to be rubbed, originally uploaded by THOS.

It's a dog's life.

Longhorn set from Uncle Michael

Longhorn set from Uncle Michael, originally uploaded by THOS.

She'll be a Texan some day.

Eggplant hat for Ava

Eggplant hat for Ava, originally uploaded by THOS.

A really cute topper

Grandma sorting Ava's outfits

Grandma sorting Ava's outfits, originally uploaded by THOS.

Arranging baby clothes by size

K and Henry

K and Henry, originally uploaded by THOS.

Kelly loves her Labs.

Front fence rose

Front fence rose, originally uploaded by THOS.

This lovely flower greeted us at Kelly and Ethan's front patio.

Albuquerque from 37,000 feet

Albuquerque from 37,000 feet, originally uploaded by THOS.

Flying west over New Mexico A spotted this view.

Boarding in a storm

Boarding in a storm, originally uploaded by THOS.

Thursday evening on our way to San Jose tropical storm Erin's winds bounced us around on takeoff.

Saturday morning surprise

Saturday morning surprise, originally uploaded by THOS.

Sitting out on the deck with our coffee this cool morning we heard the whoosh of the burner overhead, and we saw this checker-board balloon drifting gently across our valley. A snapped this picture.

Driving home

The next ten pictures show our drive from work to home on Spicewood Springs Road over the 12 low-water crossings over Bull Creek (the same creek that flows through our back yard). We drive this every day, except when it floods (as it has several times over the past few weeks).

Bower Road

Bower Road, originally uploaded by THOS.

We are almost home when we drive through this shady tunnel.

St Edward's Park

St Edward's Park, originally uploaded by THOS.

Waterfall and reflection

3rd Crossing

3rd Crossing, originally uploaded by THOS.

Near horse trails

Near horse trails, originally uploaded by THOS.

2nd Crossing

2nd Crossing, originally uploaded by THOS.

Nursery School Crossing

Nursery School Crossing, originally uploaded by THOS.

Looking down from above on the previous (West of Highway 360) picture waterfall

West of Highway 360

West of 360, originally uploaded by THOS.

The main channel of Bull Creek empties in here.

By overpass

By overpass, originally uploaded by THOS.

Moving west upstream

Under US360

Under 360, originally uploaded by THOS.

The water is clear and cool.

Side Creek Swimming Hole

Side Creek Swimming Hole, originally uploaded by THOS.

Coming home over the low water crossings this is the first view of Bull Creek. Of late, we have seen many families frolocking in the rapids here.

For Ava Marie

A knitted booties cap & blanket, originally uploaded by THOS.

Grandma Lowry knitted a yellow blanket, cap and booties.

A special gift from Beth

A special gift from Beth, originally uploaded by THOS.

She crochetted a teddy bear and matching sweater, blanket, and sunflower cap for Ava.

UT garb from Bro

UT garb from Bro, originally uploaded by THOS.

Michael wanted to ensure Ava has some Texas Longhorn attire.

Emily helps

Emily helps, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ann's granddaughter keeps the presents coming.

Kelly family

Kelly family, originally uploaded by THOS.

Daddy plays with Zen while Julie records gifts.

Harry & Beth

Harry & Beth, originally uploaded by THOS.

New grandparents

Gifts for Ava

Gifts for Ava, originally uploaded by THOS.

All lined up and ready to be opened

John & Zen

John & Zen, originally uploaded by THOS.

He likes his grandfather.

iPhoner & Physicist

iPhotographer & Physicist, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ethan talks about the iPhone to Harry

Pork loins and onions

Pork loins and onions, originally uploaded by THOS.

I soaked these three in chipotle sauce overnight so they should be especially spicy for the brave eaters.

Smoking pork loins

Smoking pork loins, originally uploaded by THOS.

The big cooker is under the live oak trees, so it isn't too hot except when I baste the meat with garlic cajun sauce. The cactus hanging down is growing in the oak tree.

Sunbeams and smoke

Sunbeams and smoke, originally uploaded by THOS.

I am smoking 10 pork loins for the baby shower this evening, and A is bringing potato salad and slaw from County Line Restaurant.

Back from the creek

Back from the creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

Julie carries Zen, Kelly and Ethan return from splashing.

Ripples

Ripples, originally uploaded by THOS.

Beautiful late afternoon light

Merlot on the creek

Merlot on the creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

Relaxation

Relaxation, originally uploaded by THOS.

The way to spend a warm August afternoon

Sittin on the top of the bank

Sittin on the top of the bank, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ready for a wine spritzer

Rapids

Rapids, originally uploaded by THOS.

Looking up toward the Anderson's place

A floats

A floats, originally uploaded by THOS.

We put in at the rapids and floated down to our waterfront.

T floats

T floats, originally uploaded by THOS.

Some people have it rough.

Protecting her brood

Protecting her brood, originally uploaded by THOS.

This active mother fish darts out to chase away any intruders.

Downstream

Downstream, originally uploaded by THOS.

Speeding down to Lake Austin

Spring fed creek

Spring fed creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

The view upstream

Ethan loves the creek

Ethan loves the creek, originally uploaded by THOS.

August 3rd and Bull Creek is running cool and clear. Ethan and Kelly are visiting from Santa Clara, CA.

Grandma knitted these for Ava

Grandma knitted these for Ava, originally uploaded by THOS.

Ready for the baby shower tomorrow.

Lazy morning

Lazy morning, originally uploaded by THOS.

A late patient cancellation allows T to spend a cool morning hour in the new hanging chair.

Pretty Angel

Pretty Angel, originally uploaded by THOS.

He knows just how to pose.

Shy Twins

Shy Twins, originally uploaded by THOS.

This morning we saw the two new fawns and the big mama doe by the hammock just below the back deck. From the spot pattern they are both males. They were born in the dense cedar break and composting oak litter between the driveway and the road, safe from predators and humans. The other day we saw them racing across the meadow.

Pretty Boy

Pretty Boy, originally uploaded by THOS.

In his usual hard-workin' position