Galveston

 Kim and I took a spontaneously planned trip to Galveston.

  

The weather was great and we couldn't keep the kids outta the water.

  

We started with sand castles...

 

but digging a hole is way more fun!

 

2 adults, 1 tween, and 6 kiddos = no problem...

 

...except for a slight mishap with the umbrella. Luckily a cute teenage boy took pity on us and offered up his needed muscle.

Astros vs Royals

 

Our preferred way to enjoy our Astros, is with great seats given to us for free...there is no better way. 

 We dropped off Alayna at Grandma & Papa's and picked up Sammie's friend, Avery.  

Rainbow snowcones on the 12th row dugout. 

 

They quickly learned to run up to the dugout and beg for balls.  

It worked! Well, kinda. The cute boys behind us gave them his ball.

Father's Day

Somehow, all of our major events and moments revolve around food. Father's Day was no exception with a good ole' southern crawfish boil!

11th Anniversary!

Schlitterbahn

 We have certainly adopted Schlitterbahn as our new tradition. We go on the last day of school in hopes that kids are still in school!

 

That may not work out for us next year when Sammie is in Kindergarten...we'll see!

Camping over Memorial Day

We took a last minute trip to Stephen F Austin State Park to camp our way into Memorial Day. Thanks to Grandma and Papa for planning, shopping and preparing the entire night. We basically just showed up with our tent, the camera and a bag of Swedish Fish. 

Melissa came with Izzie and gave Papa's single man tent a trial run.

We all went on a hike through a nature trail. Alayna was in posing mood, and every few steps would stop, walk into the bushes, turn around and smile. It was completely on her own and hilarious!

 

Sammie was on a flower hunt so we could have a bouquet at our picnic table.

The girls (Izzie included) had the most fun playing in the tent.

And just being sisters!

Melissa was in charge of music and for whatever reason, we heard a lot of Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup." These boys had to see if we had the right cups...

 

The burn ban was lifted and we were able to do hot dogs and s'mores over a real campfire!

This park is great because of all the grass and shade. We played all morning and stayed through lunch to finish off all the hot dogs, broccoli salad and watermelon. 

I have borrowed a book on how to take pictures. This entire trip is in manual mode. There was a huge spider web in the middle of nowhere that I spent a good 10 minutes trying to capture. For whatever reason, it looks way better on my computer when it's bigger...this one I feel like you can't even see it! I have so much to learn.

Ballet Recital

Behind all that lipstick and blush, is a whole lot of sass!

  

She was thrilled to learn their dance was to, Zip-a-dee-do-da...the theme song to her favorite Disneyworld ride, Splash Mountain!

 Samantha loves to be on stage...when you are this cute, it doesn't matter which step is the right one. 

Our next door neighbors and best buds, Emilynn and Mary Beth. 

These two are the best of friends and the worst of friends. They bicker and fight and love, just like sisters. It's exhausting!

Alayna spent a lot of time wandering around and through the flowers...before, during and after the performance.

 "MOM, do you think Daddy will give me flowers?"

 Well, of course he did! 

And, they were rainbow colored! 

Grandma, Papa and Melissa also brought some flowers.

 Alayna wanted a photo op with Papa.

 By recommendation, we went to the original Ninfa's on Navigation Road in downtown for dinner afterwards.

 It was definitely a weekend of Sammie's events! Now, bring on the lazy days of summer...we're ready!