Relaxing in Austin

Austin is a city of great diversity and culture, which is also evident in its choice of restuarants. Here we are at Chuey's, a great Tex-Mex mix. Although Chuey's is very busy, the wait is made easier by margueritas on the patio. Here Gretchen Hays, Miriam and I relax and wait in the beautiful Austin weather.

SawNat's Baptism

On Sunday, April 6, the newest member of the Baker clan, Sawyer Nathaniel, was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. He is wearing the same baptismal outfit his father wore a little over 30 years ago. His sponsors are Jerry and Gretchen Hays, shown here with their son, Noah. It was a wonderful day. Sawyer smiled so much during the blessing his daddy was speaking over him that Andrew almost broke up with laughter.

The baptism was followed by a wonderful brunch in Andrew and Sarah's backyard. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, making it especially nice for all the family and friends who attended. Miriam was able to join us for the 10 hour trip to Austin while Alex bravely kept the girls for 3 days on his own.

Texas Baker - Little Sawyer and Our Visit

Here's one of the latest photos of little Sawyer, the latest edition to the Baker clan. We were able to spend nearly a week with him in Texas during Spring break. What a good baby!

There were lots of opportunities for holding and cuddling. Here's an early morning view before completion of Jennifer's hair and make-up routine.

And here's Paul with his special Sawyer hold. He offered to babysit during Sawyer's afternoon nap so Jennifer and Sarah could go shopping. Sawyer was so excited about one-on-one time with Grandpa that he woke almost immediately after the girls left and stayed away all afternoon until his mother and grandmother returned. Then he took a nap.


Here you see Paul and Jennifer with Sawyer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Unfortunately, it was a little early for most wildflowers and the day was breezy and cool. Good thing that Sawyer had that great cozy stroller to keep him cozy. He slept through most of the trip.

One of these two is former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. The other is my dear husband acting like LBJ. Can you guess which is which? They both are pointing at the Texas Whitehouse (during the LBJ presidency) just across the Palisades River near Johnson City, Texas.

Dinner Together Fun

Mark and Celeste Skidmore listen with interest to one of the "Dinner Together" stories told at our house in March. What fun to hear how each couple got together!

Matt and Addie joined Mark and Celeste, Miriam and Alex, and Paul and I for a roast beef dinner complete with cherry pie for dessert. When it comes to the language of love, Paul insists you must say it with cherry pie.

Area churches in Springfield joined in this Ozarks Marriage Matters project to encourage couples to celebrate their marriages and increase social support for their relationships. This was our first time to have Mark and Celeste and Matt and Addie at our home. We had a lot of fun getting to know them better.

Loading the Giant Walnut Logs

A few weeks ago Al, Tony and I dropped a giant walnut tree in our yard. Al and Tony are interested in the walnut lumber from said tree. We loaded a couple of smaller logs that day. Today we took on the task of loading the butt of the tree that measured at least 30 inches and was 8 feet long. Any guesses what that might weigh? Here we are preparing for the load. We thought of the ancient Egyptians and their pyramids and all the things we had learned in school about simple machines. We also added neighbor Steve due to the trouble we had loading the previous logs.

We were able to get them on the trailer. No injuries occurred and lots of fun was had by all. It was good to add the fourth man for this operation. It was also good the ground was still frozen so the truck and trailer did not get stuck. That patch of white you see near the tree is the snow remaining from Tuesday's eight-incher.


Mission accomplished in a little over an hour! From left to right, Tony, Steve and Al. Imagine this tree made into some fine furniture.

First Snow Day

Many of our friends and family members to the north tell us that they are sick of snow this year. While we've already had three ice storms this winter, this is our first real snow day so we couldn't resist posting a view of our deck this morning. We're enjoying the soft, quiet beginning to the day with 8+ inches on the ground. Warmer temperatures are forecasted, so we'll enjoy it while we can.

Pillars of the Earth in Feb/March

So what do you do when winter wears on and life is just one ice storm or snow storm after the other? You pick up a good book! Paul is currently reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen. There nothing quite like two books to get one through the winter doldrums. Even though today was exceptionally nice weather wise, Paul was sufficiently hooked on the book to find a place indoors and devote himself to the wonderful pursuit of losing one's self in a book. He highly recommends it.