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A sweet Sunday morning at Gus Fruh Park in the Barton Creek Greenbelt.

I'm a Little Lamb Who's Lost in a Wood...

Last Sunday, Spencer went over to his friend Charlie's house to play for a few hours. Dave and I used that time to go Christmas shopping. I think that was the first time we've ever been able to go shopping for Spencer together - it was fun!

After we picked up Spencer, he and I decided to go for a quick hike in the Greenbelt before dinner. We set out from a spot we don't typically enter. We made a lot of twists and turns and came upon this beautiful spot.

But when we started heading out, we quickly realized we didn't know the way back. It was already 5:00 and I knew it would get dark soon, so I called Dave. I didn't want to alarm him, but the fact of the matter was we were lost. Using a "find a friend" app on our phones, he tried to figure out where we were as he ran through the Greenbelt with a flashlight. I know he was so nervous.

After 20-30 minutes I started hearing voices in the distance. I decided to just aim for those voices and luckily we ended up behind a row of houses. There was a party going on at one of them, with people standing along a balcony. I trudged through some thick brush and yelled up to them. Someone told us how to get up to their backyard then they led us through their million dollar home, full of fancy people, with me covered in leaves! Dave picked us up out front a few minutes later.

Needless to say, I learned my lesson and won't venture out in the Greenbelt without knowing exactly where I am. I think I did a pretty good job of remaining calm and not alarming Spencer *too* much. He just kept saying in a slightly worried voice, "We're lost." I'm glad we didn't have to get rescued by a helicopter search party! It won't keep us from hiking - we'll just be smarter from now on!

November Backtrack: Barton Creek & Wahoo

I was organizing photos Sunday night and realized I missed a few blogging opportunities.

In early November we had a ton of rain in Austin. Flooding in fact (which we happened to sleep through and when I saw photos from around town the next morning like this one, I was sure they were jokes.) Spencer and I took the opportunity to see the Barton Creek Greenbelt full of water - a first in his lifetime!

What usually looks like this...

Turned into a completely different landscape...

We *may* have climbed a fence to get in there, but I think that was more to keep bicyclists out.

When we got home from our adventure, I introduced Spencer to a Rives family tradition: Wahoo. I grew up playing this game with my mom and our best friends Lolly and Don. In fact, they made this custom board for Dave and me for our wedding - Lolly painted a longhorn and a little graphic from our wedding invitations. Spencer caught on fast and we had fun playing. We can't wait to play with Lolly and Don one day!

Enchanted Rock

Our day at Enchanted Rock was indeed enchanting. Not a cloud in the sky, nice cooler temps and just a good vibe all around. It was also super windy at the top! Can't believe Dave and I had never been. After all the hiking we did in Utah, the climb was a piece of cake (relatively speaking...).

We thought Enchanted Rock would be a lot bigger than this?!? 

Enchanted Rock or the moon?

Looking at tadpoles. How'd they get up there?

Our handsome 5-yr-old explorer

Testing the built-in whistle on his new backpack

We had a picnic before heading back to Austin. It was a perfect way to celebrate Spencer's birthday. We want to go back this winter - maybe do some stargazing.

Following Spencer's Lead

The weather was magnificent last weekend. The bluest skies ever and not a cloud in the sky.

A hike in the Barton Creek Greenbelt was calling our names. I think it's one of the best places to go with a little one. So much to explore. Water hasn't been flowing there in several years - I barely remember what that was like. I actually think it's more fun dry. Feels like you're in another world.

We saw a group of people climb up a cliff and go into a cave. From the ground, it looks like a really difficult climb, but it only took them a minute or two to get up there. Spencer really wanted to check it out. Dave and I were very hesitant but Spencer enthusiastically said, "C'mon guys!" and motioned for us to follow him. We climbed probably 120 feet to a different cave - it was a little lower and more in our comfort zone for this impromptu rock climbing adventure. 

Now, where we did have to put on the brakes a little was when Spencer wanted to go into the cave. We just weren't comfortable heading in without a flashlight. He sure did try to talk us into it. I have a feeling we'll be going back this weekend.

Pre-Thanksgiving Catch-up Entry

As I was organizing the remainder of this month's photos, I realized there were a few photos I wanted to highlight before moving on to the Thanksgiving update...

An un-PC Thanksgiving celebration at school :)

Cute turkey craft

Sweet little hands helping sew our felt leaf garland

We took an incredible family hike on a cool fall morning

Water break in dry Barton Creek

Wonder what they found? Amazing that this is practically in our backyard!

Walking sticks - adorable

 We've had a wonderful November. Trying to spend more time outdoors and doing projects at home.