Texas Bluebonnets

Columbus, Texas

(about 40 minutes west of Katy)Don't be fooled by these great pictures.What started out as a beautiful Sunday drive...turned into a very loud and very cranky afternoon. Getting lost for an hour and refusing to jump fences into the most perfect bluebonnet field ever, makes Jamie a grumpy-bum.Alayna seems to always follow my mood.It's shocking that we ended up with happy faces at all. There is something about wildflowers that can brighten anyone's day.Between the headband, her gum-chewing and all that sass...I still manage to get sweet moments like this one.
She is simply a happy girl that loves rainbows and flowers. Seriously, at 5 years old or 55...who doesn't?These are the treasures you find over the fence line!
This is when Sammie had had enough with me.She stomped off to join the others that were sick of me too.Look, what they were missing!I want to go back. Tomorrow. With a perfectly happy, rule-breaking family. I'd get nowhere without Papa as my sidekick.

Popsicles

Nothing like your first...

or 500th.

Fun Besides Food

Hermann Park was beyond crowded. We completely lucked out getting a "parking spot." No one seemed to care that half the car was on the curb. The kids got on the paddle boats.

Alayna choose to swim with the ducks. She can say, "Quack, Quack!"

We went running most mornings on the 3 1/2 mile lake run.

Near the end is a work-out park. Gail challenged us to the 90 second plank. Dawna came close.Sammie went nearly 5 minutes! Great form!

Pullups with Alayna.
Crunches with Sammie.
Pushups with Drew.The boys went to a shooting course near George Bush Park. Games & NCAA Tournament Brackets. Reminds us of our days in Provo, when we would stay up until 4am playing Settlers of Catan or watching episodes of 24...during the week...with jobs to go to the next day!

Come Back Soon!

St Patrick's Day

Samantha has been on a rainbow kick for since before her birthday in October. She can't pick just one color...she wants the whole rainbow. Anything she colors is in a rainbow design. And, all her drawings are rainbows. It's pretty cute. I bought rainbow glitter paint from the grocery store, and she thought I was the best mom ever. It's amazing what $4 can do for my self esteem.Even Alayna tried her hand at painting.The leprechaun snuck into our house. Everyone had stickers all over their faces...including Alayna! He left his footprints everywhere! Sammie followed his path. That silly leprechaun turned all the milk & OJ green! He even rearranged a few things.At the end of a rainbow...was a special treat. Happy St Patrick's Day!

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