The Ross Boys on the Zilker Zephyr

/ Zilker Park/

This weekend was so nice, I decided to take the boys to Zilker, right when we got there the train was pulling away.  

None of us had risen it before, so we hopped on.  Thatcher wanted to be a big boy and refused to sit in my lap, only on the seat like his big brother.  He even kept pushing my arm and hand away when I wrapped it around him.

Arlo's biggest concern was if there would be a tunnel.  He loved fearing the thing.  Think it was related to a Planes scene where Dusty tries to fly through a tunnel and nearly head ons a train. 

An impromptu stop at Zilker landed us on the Zephyr for their first time. Wish I had my GoPro, but the iPhone will have to do;)

5D Mark III

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I really do love cameras.  I guess I always have.  I can remember the old school DSLR's my mom and grandmother had back in the day vividly.  When I got into high school I was all about Mary Ann Palmer's video class.  We used VHS cameras.  I had a chance to use the Cannon 5D Mark 3 over the weekend and had so much fun playing with it with the kids.  I had the L-series 24-70 f2.8 lens on and the thing was s fast.  The first series the kids are playing freeze tag and each photo is in focus.  Minimal post done in Lightroom.

Happy 3rd Birthday Arlo!

/ Peter Pan Put-Put/

Can't leave my main man Arlo of this year's list of birthday blog posts.  

I guess when you're 3, your birthday lasts an entire week.  Arlo got started at the Hill House, while I was at ACL, but that's another post...I guess it's the previous one.

I took Monday after ACL off from work, which was the greatest thing ever.  Got the kids out the door, had a nice lunch with @DPJones15, took a leisurely stroll through Central Market and even had a coffee while I shopped.  Record scratch.  Wait a second, this wasn't my birthday, it was my boys'!  

I broke Arlo out of Open Door and took him to Peter Pan Put-Put.  He's really into Golf, his favorite golfer goes between Rickie and Rory, no matter how much I'm pushing Jordan Speith. 

Check back here after the weekend.  We have a Cars themed birthday party in the park that should garner some good times.

What a day!  Such a perfect little party, spending time in the park, which is what Arlo and I would like to be doing anyway, but with tons of family and friends!

After the party, Texas beat OU!  As Arlo would say, "Whaaaaaat?!"  

Adrians, Mom and Dad, Linda and April came over to the house to watch the Bears and the Horns, I snuck a jog in during nap time, then dinner with the Kauffman's and Guillory's.  Nice lil' Saturday.

Cheers!

Justin Ross

Summer in ATX

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Our crew and Aunt April are in full on prep mode for Colorado.  We took a hike into the Greenbelt in search of water.  Granted our first effort failed, we actually found some nice aqua at the Barton Skyway and MoPac entrance, hanging a left at the bottom of the hill, it was only about 10 minutes from the car.  

Follow up that morning with a cruise on Lake Austin with the leading couple from the Jones family and you've got yourself a summer Saturday in ATX.


Hiking the Greenbelt

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This spring has been extremely wet, and Arlo and I are taking advantage.  There 's a great little spot in the Greenbelt and the water is the perfect depth for Arlo right now.  I was able to let him play on his own without too much concern.  He is getting confident in the water.

A great little hike down into the Greenbelt proves fun for Arlo. Love the spring when there is flowing water down there! Perfect for him at 2.5 years old.

Happy Half Birthday Thatcher-Mo

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My family celebrated half birthdays growing up. 

It was usually something small but special, maybe a half day with just Dad and me, or a half an ice cream sundae. One time I was saving my money for a bike and my parents pitched in the other half. My sisters and I loved the tradition. 

As a parent, half years fell good to. This has been a challenging 6 months. It's been a real milestone for Thatcher too. He always wants to be engaged, or play, or do something!  Enough of this napping all the time!


Final Countdown

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We are getting close to baby number 2, and to be honest, I'm really dying to know if Arlo gets to grow up with a brother or a sister.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I see it from our perspective as well, just having so much fun with Arlo I can't wait to understand how this will change our family dynamic.  

Here's Amber and Arlo just before we have #2under2ina2/2 


Ranch Weekend

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In Texas, ranch weekends are the best.  Big thanks to @DPJones15 for letting us all get together.  Arlo especially enjoyed swinging underneath the big Oak tree.

Generations Beach House

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A post from the road.  Amber, Arlo and I took a nice walk this morning.  We are staying at Generations Beach House in the 30A area of Florida's Panhandle.  I'm also trying out my new toy, the Sony NEX-7 and so far am digging it.  Here's a couple of shots from this morning, I'm sure there will be more to come. 

Amber, Arlo and Justin

Amber and Arlo