Over Labor Day weekend, we traveled to Austin. Due to an undiagnosed injury to his forearm, Dave couldn't participate in the Colorado River 100 as a racer this year, but he still wanted to be close to the action so he volunteered to work the race.
Gavin and I took the opportunity to go visit Avery, Rylee, Josh, and Sara.
Saturday morning, G and A worked up a thirst playing outside before it got too hot.
Rylee was having a good time outside, too.
Gavin is being silly in the picture below. He's trying to smile, boy is it a fake smile. The picture doesn't do it justice.
After some water outside, Sara lured the kids in with popcicles.
We decided that a blue popcicle and the right clothes can make some cute little Halloween zombies--no additional makeup required.
Saturday afternoon and evening we chatted, played, and visited the nextdoor neighbors. Josh and Sara live in the greatest neighborhood, where people really are neighbors.
Sunday morning, we had outside play again, hit Rudy's for breakfast tacos, and got ready to head to the lake. Since Dave had worked from 3:30 pm to 5:30 am, he decided to nap while we went out on the lake. I didn't take any pictures, but Gavin was very brave and rode on the tube with Josh and Avery the very first time. We were going to let him watch A to see if he wanted to, but as Josh got in the tube and Sara helped A get in, Gavin said, "I want to ride. I want a turn." So, we put him on. We couldn't decide why he had his eyes closed. I think the wind was a different sensation. While I held Rylee (hence, no pictures), Sara took them on a nice ride. We picked up the neighbors, anchored, swam, had more tube rides and surfing by Josh and A. I was really surprised at how well that girl can surf behind the boat with her dad.
As we were winding down on the lake, we spotted smoke. As we got back to shore, we realized it was a big fire. Then we heard that the neighborhood was being evacuated. The plan of showers and dinner quickly changed. I entertained the kids, Josh unloaded the boat, Sara went through the house packing. Ash was falling in the air. We were hearing that it was taking 1.5 hours to get out of the neighborhood. The evacuation was mandatory. The power went out shortly after we got to the house. In about an hour, we were ready to go.
We pulled out onto Quinlan Park to this scene after only 100 yards. I had hoped the back up would be farther away.
We watched helicopters dump water on the fire. G and A fell asleep after a day on the lake. Miss R wasn't so cooperative, so I got in the car with Sara and the girls so Sara could attend to Ry's needs while I drove--or crept along.
It was a surreal experience. I kept thinking about TV shows and movies where people are stopped in gridlock traffic as they try to escape. My eyes were burning from the smoke.
As we got to highway 620 and looked over our shoulders, we could see the flames licking the sky. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes to get out of the traffic.
After a 9pm dinner, Josh & Sara went with two other sets of neighbors to a friend's house where the dogs could be happier than in a hotel.
At "press time" they are still waiting to get back in their neighborhood. The fire might be 25% contained. The winds continue to blow. About 40 houses had been destroyed this morning. I don't have a more recent number. I'll now have a very different reaction to wind, dry conditions, and fire.
This is a video that someone who lives in the northern part of Steiner Ranch took. It looks like a warzone.
They also had UGG boots for kids....ony $95, and your toddler could have the latest in shoe fashion. Unreal that these things even exist.
We didn't last very long at the game. After cooling off for a bit, we tried to watch some more of the game and Gavin didn't want any part of the heat. He was also tired from not having a nap, so we headed for the exits in the middle of the 4th inning. He still had a good time and that is all that really matters anyway. 
Traffic jams were common on the boat ramps.
Lots of people ended up dropping out at this checkpoint. This is the last place before the finish that has public access. Once you leave this checkpoint, you have no choice than to paddle the remaining 36 miles. I would say that at least half of the boats that got to La Grange after dark ended up choosing to not finish the race.
We decided that a blue popcicle and the right clothes can make some cute little Halloween zombies--no additional makeup required.
Saturday afternoon and evening we chatted, played, and visited the nextdoor neighbors. Josh and Sara live in the greatest neighborhood, where people really are neighbors.
We watched helicopters dump water on the fire. G and A fell asleep after a day on the lake. Miss R wasn't so cooperative, so I got in the car with Sara and the girls so Sara could attend to Ry's needs while I drove--or crept along.
It was a surreal experience. I kept thinking about TV shows and movies where people are stopped in gridlock traffic as they try to escape. My eyes were burning from the smoke.
As we got to highway 620 and looked over our shoulders, we could see the flames licking the sky. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes to get out of the traffic.
After a 9pm dinner, Josh & Sara went with two other sets of neighbors to a friend's house where the dogs could be happier than in a hotel.
