Rodeo & Jason Aldean

A visit to Houston is not complete without braving the mass crowds of people for an event. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo during Spring Break will about make you loose your mind.

We braved all the crazy rides...whether or not we were feeling brave.
Sammie and I made it to her favorite carnival ride.Alayna had her first trip to the farm. She loved every minute of it! She carried her own basket, broke all the rules and insisted on doing it twice...I think it had something to do with the treats.We also visited the petting zoo. Alayna is not afraid of anything!Grandma & Papa made it to the pig races with Samantha & Alayna.My dad has an unapologetic man-crush for Jason Aldean.The concert did not disappoint.
The look on Summer's face says it all..."Sammie is SO fun, despite the fact that she never stops!"

Spring Break with the Herrs

Basically, the entire week was planned around food...we actually did activities as well, but what we ate took precedence.

Picnic @ Hermann Park

Empanada's @ Marini's

Deep Fried Anything @ Houston Rodeo

Smoked Turkey Leg @ Houston Rodeo

Pork Chop Friday @ Perry's Steakhouse

BBQ @ The Swinging Door

Crawfish Boil

Cinnamon Roll Tutorial

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run

WE DID IT!

Blake has been looking forward to this race for an entire year!!! Last February, he was talked into running in this 10k with ZERO preparation. He ran it in 1:14. Around May, he started exercising and training for this years redemption.His goal = under 50 minutes
Official Time = 49:40 with 7:59 mile

This was my first race ever, and everyone knows I am just not into this kinda thing. I will admit, it was fun...I can see what all the excitement is about. I was a far cry from training or really getting ready for this. I usually run about 3 miles, once a week...and walk with Alayna a few more times a week. Basically, 6 miles is the furthest I have EVER ran.
My goal = DO NOT STOP RUNNING and beat Blake's time last year.
Official Time = 1:10:00 with 11:15 mile.

We made a great weekend out of this. We were able to have my mom and dad come along. We stayed at the Hilton on Friday night. Rode scooters around downtown to find somewhere appropriate to eat dinner, swam in the pool and stayed up late. Blake and I walked down to the race the next morning, while the everyone else had breakfast and lined up on the streets for the runners and rodeo parade. Blake was able to see them while running...but I gave up when I couldn't find them at the predetermined cross street. We met back for more swimming (HOT TUB) and then found a late lunch at Hefley's Bar.

Stake Conference & Peckam Park

It has been raining for days! We were so happy for the sunshine that we made a park day out of a Sunday afternoon.

We brought all kinds of cheap, plastic toys.

Even Aunt Deesh joined us.

Papa manned the camp stove cooking hot dogs and corn on the cob.

Alayna explored.

And, Samantha was 'tending. That is what she calls pretending...which she can do throughout the whole day. She has the best imagination. She is usually acting out scenes from a movie. And yes, the plastic horseshoe around her neck is a prop.
Scooter Bandits went for a ride around the lake.

Pretty sure this is her first Oreo.

Peek-a-boo!

Most of the pictures I try to take either have heads and faces staring at the ground like this...seriously?! What are they looking at?Or, right up close and personal with the lens.

It really does that 100 shots to get one.
Fun afternoon!

Valentine's Day

The night before Valentine's Day, Samantha wished that her special Valentine would bring her balloons. Apparently, this special Valentine was not Daddy, Mommy or Papa...it was Avery! Luckily, without even asking, Papa & Grandma showed up with 4 red-heart balloons and saved the day!

Alayna and I visited Sammie at school for her party.

We pounded M&Ms and popcorn,

made a craft and passed out Valentines to all her buddies.

Alayna knows how to make herself right at home. She even gets to set on a letter during circle time.

For dinner, we made pink-heart shaped pizza, jello jigglers, red velvet heart crinkle cookies and Blake brought home a cookie cake that got gobbled up before dinner.Sam and Grandma made homemade cards for everyone. "Kiss your girlfriend on the lips," is a sweet little thing that my cousin Ella kept saying to Grandma & Papa while they were visiting in California. It was been adopted as our new saying. We played a Valentine's Day trivia game and Blake didn't win...that's all we seem to worry about. Super fun night!

Buddies

Samantha is obsessed with playdates. I don't know how else to explain it. That girl can go All. Day. Long. Luckily, we have great next door neighbors and a slew of friends to stop by and play most any day.

What could be more fun than making bum prints with sidewalk chalk?

Even Alayna approved of the activity.