This land is your land, this land is my land ...

Some of you may remember that song.  Some may not.  But either way it is the perfect title for this blog.  About 50 years ago my grandfather bought 51 acres near Marble Falls (outside Austin  near Lake Travis).   He and Grandma never built a house out there, but they did have a barn and a great shooting range.  As kids, we would go out there to explore, ride the tractor, learn how to shoot his many guns (I'm a great shot by the way), have weenie roasts and many other fun things.  Before he died almost 3 years ago he split it up between Dad and my Uncle Jerry.  Over the years Mom and Dad have been working out there clearing off where they want their retirement house to be, making a road to the clearing and other stuff.  At the beginning of the year they hired an architect and a builder to start work on what will be their guest house.  And now it's done.  Carter calls it his house.  He tells everyone that it's our house up in Austin and that Grandma and Grandpa haven't built their house yet.  Well he's kinda right.  Like I said, that's the guest house and once Dad retires in 4-5 years, they'll build the main house. THEN the guest house will kinda be ours since that's where we'll stay and they'll have the main house.  So now you know why I titled the post like I did.

We went up there this past weekend and met Matthew and Allison who brought Asher down from Colorado for his first trip to Texas.  Mom and Dad had been up to Colorado a couple times to see him but I finally got to meet him.  He'll be 2 months next week.  Jerry and Lois, who have started the building process on their retirement home, were up there this weekend, as well as Grandma.  It was a great "Welcome to Texas" party for Asher. 

Grandpa would be so proud to see his family enjoying the land he bought.  He'd smile to see all the memories we are making out there.  And it's heartwarming to see my sons make the same memories I had when I was little. 

This photo is of Carter driving on my lap in the car on the what he calls the "Bumpy Road" - the dirt road leading up to the house.  It just reminded me of all the times I would ride on Grandpa's lap on the tractor.  The tractor is still out there, but needs some work.  So the Toyota will have to do for now :)

Grandmama holding Asher for the first time.

He's a sweet baby.  It wasn't a long enough visit - they had so many people to see while they were in Austin.  We are looking forward to their extended stay over Christmas/New Years. Since Alli will still be on maternity leave and Matthew's company has an office here, he can work and we can see them MUCH more. 

The ladies on the back porch rockin' babies...

Aunt Alli and Conley.  This was her first time to meet him.

I like this picture.  Carter just loves to hold Conley.  He asks all the time.

And this past weekend it was double the opportunity to hold babies.  Here he is holding Asher.  Every day last week he'd wake up and look at the magnetic calendar on the wall and see if it was Friday the 18th yet, the day we had the magnetic square for "Visit Relatives."  He wanted to know if it was the day he'd get to see Baby Asher.  He was almost as excited as me. 

Look how blue Conley's eyes look. 

Asher in Conley's bouncy seat.

Cole playing shuffleboard.  As you can see, he's not too bad.  Mom and Dad also have a pool table in the house.  They aren't allowed to play with the sticks for obvious reasons, but with close supervision we let them roll the balls from pocket to pocket.  I'm looking forward to an adult only trip up there so I can play some games without hollering at the kids :)

Cole looking at the beautiful view from the porch.  Mom designed the railing herself.  It turned out nice considering she gave the builder a hand drawn sketch.

I keep hearing I need to cut Cole's hair.  But when it gets this length it flips up in the back and it's so cute.  I'm holding out as long as I can...

We are headed back up there for Thanksgiving.  It's a wonderful place to relax.  The boys hike all around the property and I take every calm opportunity to sit on the porch with a drink and just rock.  I've never been one to sit still and do nothing.  But here I can.  Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for finding such a wonderful place where family can be together.  And thanks to my parents for building such a gorgeous and inviting house for us to enjoy.