A Visit to the Fanthorp Inn

Last week we had a short family outing to a local historic site, the Fanthorp Inn, an early 1850 Texas stagecoach stop and family home. 

A little history...

The double-pen, cedar log dogtrot house was built by an English immigrant, Henry Fanthorp, when Texas was part of Mexico. Fanthorp petitioned Stephen F. Austin in 1832 for permission to settle in this Original Austin Colony. He bought 1100 acres and built his house in 1834 on the road that crossed his land, thus bringing travelers to his door immediately. Henry Fanthorp was appointed Postmaster by the Provisional Texas Government in 1835 and saw the advantage of offering other services and goods to his frequent visitors. Within time, Fanthorp's became a well-known stopping place for both travelers and the community.

Just a few interesting facts from the tour:

-Anderson was one of the biggest cities in Texas when the inn was in operation
-Henry and his wife both died from "the fever" within days of each other. Their daughter cared for the home meticulously after their passing, which is why it is in such great condition today
-The new railroads that were built missed Anderson, which is why it is no longer a "big city"
-Men who would stay at the inn slept sometimes 3 to a bed, ladies got their own room for privacy
-Women and children were not allowed to ride in stagecoaches. Since space was so tight and sometimes up to 18 passengers rode at a time, it would be considered improper for women to be this close to other men
-The dining area doubled as a saloon where travelers would enjoy local moonshine
-The people back then were very small in stature. All of the furniture in the house was really small!!

daddy & his girls

Ebug checking out the stagecoach

She wasn't too sure about the stagecoach ride!

Our First Dance

This was one of the most precious moments to date! They just turned to each other and reached out for each others hands. Unfortunately, all sweet moments must come to an end...and for anyone who is worried she was fine a few minutes later. This is life with twin toddlers. Enjoy!

Some of our first words

Momma

Dada

Bye Bye
Baby (be-be)

Duck
Puppy (puh-puh)
Bubbles (buh-buh)
Bird (bir)
Diaper
Spongebob (pongebob....Pryscilla)
Bob

Although there have been "attempts" at others, these are the ones we can make out. Each day they are trying to say more it is so cute watching them start to talk! I'll work on some first word videos. :)

Right now: Eden "talks" non stop but you can't make much of it out. Every now and then though she will say a word we understand. Pryscilla is really trying to make out actual words each day! If you ask her to say something she will try her best.

They both are surprising us with words when we least expect it!

Twin Dance Party Before Bed Time

Where are they learning these moves? lol. You know...we dance around the house together all of the time, but I assure you when Eden shows off her special move about halfway through their little dance party video, she did NOT get that one from me!!! This was a very spontaneous party too and we LOVED it! Just wanted to share our little munchkins with you before bed. Night. :)

Playtime!

Little Monkeys

Happy 4th Of July

Wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy 4 of July!

Standing, as we do to-day, upon the eminence of more than a century's growth, we can look back the way we have come and see more plainly than it ever appeared before that on the little hill just out of Boston the battle of the 17th of June, 1775, changed, indeed, the front of the universe and set liberty so far in advance of tyranny that liberty will never be overtaken again. Children born in America since that day are heirs to all which that victory portended, and the further up the slope of centuries we go the richer will be our inheritance if we are wise and patriotic enough to appreciate, guard and defend the heritage that our fathers won and handed down. William Bell Riley

Cheers to celebrating that truth.