Thailand 7-17-11

Our Thailand day was a good example on the importance of flexibility in dealing with travel plans and other cultures. Jon & Pam decided to join us and knew there is a Buddhist temple not far from us in Del Valle and they have a Market Day on Sunday! In June we pick a date to go, well the night before I'm looking for directions and see the market days are off for the rest of the summer, quick late night call, no problem, let's go to this on in Dobie Mall, check the website all is good. Stacey has to pick Russ up from the airport so she joins us, in two cars we park in the garage, walk inside (remember is over a 100 outside with two hungry girls after church). Oops its closed for summer but they didn't bother putting that on their website. Call Jon & Pam (after paying for parking) and pick Madame Mam's, drive and park again. Have a nice meal and talk to the waitress who is touring the country by working at Thai restaurants. The 0 spice is too much for me, so while I try the girls and I mostly end up eating white rice again :) We enjoy the decorations and the above photo was all I got, not sure about G's face. Back home we look through some Thai books and watch a video about a day in the life of Vietnam (they are close and Thai wasn't available at the library!) My favorite part is that evening I was walking Flower and stop to talk to our Thai neighbor to tell him about eating at Madam Mam's. He politely sneers and says that place its Tex-Thai, not authentic, not spicy enough for real Thais!

Salado Creek 7-9-11

Lots of swimsuits this summer because it was too hot to be outside unless you were in water, so we went to the Salado creek for a dip!

Gloria with her mermaid tale!
The great explorers of Tablerock!

Salado 7-9-11

Caleb went on a diving trip to help him be a better teacher, so the girls and I took a trip to Salado! We danced around the living room...
visited Grandmama which always also includes a visit to...
Betty Boop!

4th of July!!

The problem with my family is we take too many pictures! Between my mom watching the kiddos every cute move and Jessamy with her awesome camera and eye, its too hard to narrow it down but here goes:

As most often is the case, the 4th of July was celebrated at my parents and was their floor warming party too. The girls had a wonderful time: swimming in a blow up pool, eating Oreos (summer theme), playing in grandpa's boat, hanging from the clothes line (Lydia sparked Bill's competitive side, if she can do it then he should try!) And of course the big picnic, which involved wonderful people including new baby Watts but was later and mostly inside, we have all gotten weak!

March of the Flags-much fun was had by all!

Matching shirts from Old Navy (I love Groupon!)

Beach (Again) 7-5-11

I have been going to Beaumont (Caleb's mom's) for 12 years and we have never gone to the beach from there....until this time-good thing I always pack swimsuits! Picnic dinner & trying to stay out of the wind.
The pelicans were amazing, hundreds of them flew over us-such a beautiful site. Heidi is from Florida and she wasn't impressed with this Texas beach but it was close, to ourselves and again floating in water (even if you can't see through it) and digging in the sand is just so much fun!
Caleb as always entertained with a net (which is didn't pack but felt the purchase was worth it). Fish (Gloria-hummmm not sure if she is going to be a scientist but she enjoys poking fishies), crabs and more.

Christy and McKenzie & Nathaniel were visiting from Georgia so we came for a short visit. Normally we sit around, eat awesome food that Linda makes and play cards at night; but this time Linda says, want to go to Zumba at my school? Sure-good thing I always pack tennis shoes! It was fun though kinda strange to be doing Zumba moves in front of your MIL :) Then the next day Christy says lets go to the beach! Matt was working out there so after work he met us. The girls had a wonderful time with their cousins (missed Gabe & Abby): crammed around a dinner table, showing Flower off (who was great in the car), as always doing chalk drawings, and of course on the beach.

Beach Trip 6-20-11

My parents joined us for a Port A getaway! We stayed at the kitschy A Laughing Horse Lodge, which had a bunk bed for Lydia (Gloria was in a p&p in my parents' room). While the guys were night fishing Lydia went to sleep supposedly on the top bunk, but we found her she was zonked on the bottom, there was no way I was going to get her 40 lbs up so I took the top and Caleb has a sweet little surprise for him on arriving back!

The guys fished some, we all enjoyed time on the beach, at the birding center, dinner at Seafood & Spaghetti Works, mom & I with the girls toured the new UTMSI wetlands, it was super hot but interesting, we also stopped by the SHARK three times!! We also had snacks of Oreos and Cokes (Lydia's first Sprite was at almost 4 and Gloria is already drinking the good stuff at 2!) There were just so many great photos and memories to chose from.

Two years ago Lydia and did this same thing-to the toppest! Gloria stayed with Nana digging away while we climbed. It was fun to go to the beach in the evening for a change and see the sun set.
The Shark.....
Enjoying wildlife viewing and a picnic at fiery landing. Always good for a dolphin spotting.
Family castle building (fortunately the guys didn't fish the whole time so we had some Daddy time on the beach). And lots of beach time overall. Once with Nana we sat under the pier so we had shade the whole time and enjoyed watching some crabs be caught. Nothing is much better than floating in the waves while watching your children run with joy on the beach-movie moment!
The morning we left, my parents stayed at the hotel and we took a quick family trip to the beach. Lydia took this picture and it makes me smile!

Texas State Aquarium 6-22-11

(summer catch up!)

After playing on the beach for a few days we went into Corpus Christie and went to the Aquarium (which I had not gone to while we lived there). They are such fun places for the girls who love seeing the fishes, touching things and a first seeing dolphins perform (Lydia now pretends that the swimming pool wall is a glass and we are dolphins swimming and people are watching us)

above baby alligators

pool of rays, one splashed Lydia
Running and dancing with the dolphins
It sprinkled on us (which now sounds heavenly) and we didn't get the greatest seats for the dolphins but other than that it was a wonderful trip, I am glad we took the time.