Doughnuts with Dad

Huntsville State Park Camping

We spent a total of 24 hours camping in Huntsville, TX. It was perfect! We realize that doesn't sound very long, but with an 11 month old, you take no chances past one night!Sometimes we are just amazed at how well our planned outings go...and then wonder why others are such epic failures.

We spent the early afternoon setting up camp (Grandma's favorite). We were right along the lake with a huge concrete slab under the picnic table...a must have with Alayna, who spent hours sucking on ice from the cooler.

Then, we went exploring around the near empty park (my favorite).Whenever we did run into someone, they were instant friends and shared their toys. We missed the canoe rentals by about 10 minutes. Instead we tried our luck fishing. We bummed bait and caught...nothing. :(

There is a burn ban throughout Texas that includes no charcoal and/or camp fires...thank goodness for propane! We planned great food and s'mores!

Papa, Blake and Sammie's favorite part of the trip was the hiking...could it be because they left Alayna, Grandma and I behind for naps and reading (also a favorite of mine)? Father and daughter teaching moments...with Papa along to photograph each memory.
Sammie's other favorite was playing house in the screened shelter and tent. She was begging to go to sleep!
True sign of a successful day!

Schlitterbahn Round 2

If it had been one week sooner, this would have been perfect! We got rained on, a lot. Luckily, we still had tons of fun and very low crowds. I think we even rode all the rides we wanted too...including Scaredy-Cat Melissa!

And, She's Walking...

11 months old tomorrow...and walking today!

Not the best video...excitement in the moment trumps quality. These are the true first steps while everyone was away. I love how she just babbles on and on.

LOVING SCHOOL

No big surprise here, but Samantha is loving school! She seriously doesn't stop talking about it when I pick her up. And when I drop her off, she is so quick to jump right into things, poor Alayna and I have to find and tackle her for our kiss goodbye.Can you blame her...with a fun group like this!

Ms Sandy and Ms Patty

Look at her right hand...when she does that I can just hear her saying, "now, here's what we're gonna do..."

Concentrating oh so hard!

Anxiously awaiting praise :)

1st Day of Preschool

She's off!

Sam practically ran out the door and never looked back.I think the reality will set in next week and we'll all have a good cry. Until then, she is in good hands at Treasure Cove. Ms. SandyMs Patty

A Very Windy Galveston

Mother Nature, and all her wind, really destroyed what could have been a perfect beach day at Galveston.Don't be fooled by these pictures...and all these happy faces in the sunshine...that is only half the reality.The Wind. Was. Unbearable.
But, we did have fun. Sammie managed to yelp for 2 hours straight...she may have even lost her voice.