Our Weekend

We decided to take advantage of "Dollar Days" at the Dallas Arboretum (all of August) and took the kids Saturday morning. The weather has finally cooled off JUST enough to not be miserable outside (thank goodness). We had a great time and Chris quite enjoyed getting new flower and shrub ideas.





Then that afternoon we all headed over to Denton for the North Texas Fair with cousins. Gavin loved petting the goat, baby deer, and calf, which didn't surprise me. But what DID surprise me was that for the 2 entire hours that we watched the bull riding at the Rodeo, he never moved! THIS coming from the boy who couldn't even sit still or stop screaming while we ate dinner at Quizno's right before (so I had to sit in the car and eat my dinner while he screamed in his carseat). And THIS coming from the boy who just today learned how to climb out of his crib and who I have found in Carter's room playing twice (still with no nap - I think my days just got even busier). Anyway, he was fascinated with the "EIEIO" animals as he always is. I think I need to let him play at Kim's more often. Thanks Angela, for letting me steal your pics!

Back to School

I can't believe another summer has come a gone. We had a great one, but by the last week, I decided that in fact, it WAS time to get back to the routine of school. Both girls were very excited to return once they went to "meet the teacher" night and saw all their old friends. The first day we great for all, but I was very ready for 3:00 to roll around so that I could hear all about their day and see them again. This is one of my favorite times of the day - to look out the front window and see them coming down the sidewalk smiling when they see me and yelling "hi mom"! Love these girl's of mine!

Yay for July! & New Family Pics

We love the month of July because my parents get the month off and get to COME HOME!! We pretty much play every day and when the month ends the kids don't really know what to do without their cousins around them 24/7 and their grandparents entertaining them all the time! In addition to the things below, we've gone to the Denton water park, swimming, go-carting, movies, had many sleepovers, dinners together, adn just plain enjoyed being together. We are so sad that this month is now over! We already miss you SO much, Mom and Dad! Thanks so much for everything!

Also, as usual, we had family pictures taken while we were all together. Here is some of what we got:

 

 

 

Brighton and her cousin Megan

 

 

Oh, The Joy of Lakehouse Days

I believe this annual tradition has become a favorite of everyone in our family. It doesn't get better than being with family all day riding jet skiis, water skiing, boating, fishing, jumping off the dock, swimming in the lake, and ending it all each night with an adult game of sand volleyball. Heaven!




My sister's and I

Sydney learning to water ski

Brighton's Birthday, cont.

So Brighton was not very happy with us when she realized that Chris and I would be out of town on her bday, but quickly realized how fun Nana and Pop would make it. They started out her day with her favorite breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes), then opened presents, made her a birthday cake, and then took she and all her cousins out to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate. Not too shabby, I'd say.



Then after we got back I took she and 2 of her friends out to dinner and then to Going Bonkers (a fun climbing place in Lewisville). Afterwards I brought them back to the house for some crafts and a sleepover. Is she REALLY 9?

Coronado Island

Chris and I were able to get away without the kids for a few days while my parents (THANK YOU) very kindly watched them (I'm sure it was quite eventful at her house as Em and her sweet kids were also staying there). We stayed at a LOVELY hotel, The Hotel Del Coronado, on Coronado Island right outside of San Diego and had such a wonderful time. The weather was just perfect and the beach was soooo nice.

Our hotel

Just outside our room
Balboa Park

Sailing/GNO

My aunt and uncle, David and Deanie took our older kids (my sweet mom stayed back with the babies while they napped) out on their sailboat one afternoon. We loved it! We anchored for a while to take a swim, let the kids kayak for a while, and swim over to a little island and play in the mud for a bit.


One night we did a GNO (girl's night out) and went to dinner and to see Eclipse. All of us except for my mom have read the books and seen the movies, so she was pretty hilarious to watch during the movie and she had NO idea what was going on! What a trooper!