School is Out for Summer!

The school year is over and to celebrate the little boys and I headed south to visit my parents. We went to the beach, the Texas State Aquarium, we rescued a puppy, and we played all day.

Brody was not sure he liked the way the sand felt on his feet
Jaden ran up and down the beach and even got a little wet

The dolphin show

Papa and Bear watching the water

Jaden was fascinated by the shark

In one section of the aquarium there is a spot that is rounded out and it makes you feel like you are in the water with the fish, that is why Brody has his hands up, like he is going to pet one. These pictures don't do the aquarium justice, it was beautiful and the kids loved it!

When Dad, the boys and I were driving to town we saw a little puppy on the side of the road. He was so little and sweet we had to stop and save him. Now, if you have known me for a very long time , you would know that almost every animal my parents have ever owned was because of my animal rescue tendencies. I have saved dogs, cats and even a few cotton tails. The burden of my rescue efforts falls on my parents though, as they are the ones who end up taking care of the animals. My mom lovingly refers to me as Ellie May Clampet, from the Hillbillies, as I guess she too was an animal rescuer.

So, welcome Max to my parents brood of fur children. My boys couldn't have loved on this little dog anymore than they did. Max got carried around or chased or hugged the entire time we were there. His little puppy personality was so sweet, he just went along with whatever they were doing.

And we also spent alot of time in "the world's biggest sand box".

Little boys and dirt go together like peas and carrots

We had such a great time! Thanks Grandma and Papa for everything, we love you! And I should probably apologize for Max, but I know you secretly love him too. :)

South Padre

Josh and I made the 6 hour drive to South Padre the last weekend of April to celebrate the marriage of Molly & Justin. It was a lovely ceremony and the whole weekend was amazing. The beach was beautiful, the hotel was luxurious, the weather was great, minus the wind, and the people with us were some of our best friends! So much fun!

I have no idea what is happening in this picture.

The wedding was on the beach
Sitting by the pool watching the wind make waves

The view from our hotel

Brandi, Molly & Me

The boys plus Jenn

Jenn & I at the reception at Louie's Backyard

We owe a huge THANK YOU to Josh's parents who stayed at our house with our kids so that we could attend the wedding. The kids had such a great time with them and we truly appreciated our weekend getaway.

Celebrating Easter

HE IS RISEN! What a great reason to celebrate! We spent Easter at the Ranch with the whole crew. What fun we all have together. I count my blessings that Josh and I truly adore both sides of our families, and that the time we spend together is so cherished. Easter Sunday we went to church in Stonewall, TX, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and of course a delish Easter Lunch. Another great thing about our families is that we all love to eat, and drink and be merry. I think I gained 5 pounds in 3 days with all of the goodies.

On the hunt

Do you think it is more difficult to get a great picture of the 4 grand kids, or our little family of four? I am going to call it a toss up, and say that both are almost impossible. HA!

I don't know anything about it, but I have seen those commercials for the Cloud, where the women adjusts and crops different pictures to make one good one. I NEED that program! I can't even count on Josh to look at the camera.

Dying Eggs

Raley Swinging

We had several practice egg hunts, before our official Easter hunt, here is Brody's class hunt

Here is Jaden's class hunt

And of course one with Abby, they happened to having matching Easter baskets :)

And Grandma Webb brought Easter baskets too, filled with enough sugar to kill a small horse. Thanks Grandma!

And we also had a MOPS, Church at Canyon Creek Egg Hunt

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter too! And that you feel as thankful as I do to have Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, the greatest gift that has ever been given to me.

Live Music

Last night I ventured out with the girls to Carlos N Charlies to watch Alpha Rev & Bob Schneider. It was so fun! Anything I do with my fav girls is fun, but when you live in the Live Music Capital you better get out and enjoy it from time to time.

Jenn, Debbie, Me & Tanya

(We did not cooridnate our matching outfits! Ha)

Bob

Last Saturday Josh and I went out with some more of our favorite people to the Oasis, where for the first time I saw Alpha Rev. Their music is like ear candy, and I became an instant fan, so I was so happy when I got to hear them again when they opened for Bob.

The Oasis is so fun and a great way to spend a Saturday night!

Trying T ball

Well we decided to give t ball a try for Jaden. Unfortunately, he did not think this idea was as great as we thought it was. He really had no interest in playing. He went to a total of two practices, and one game. He did like to hit the ball and run the bases a few times during practice, but at the game he refused to hit, run, or play in the outfield. So we called it quits. I am not one for quitting something when you start it, but I signed him up for t ball thinking it would be a fun family event, not a torturous event that he wanted nothing to do with. So, here are the few pictures I took from our first/last t ball game. Notice that Brody was all about it.

Just put me in for Jaden, I'll do it! Jaden marching away from the field

The I don't want to face

Little brother holding Jaden's bat, ball, and wearing Jaden's team hat.

We will try another sport someday, because I think sports are important for many reasons, but I will let Jaden pick it, and tell me when he is ready.

Spring Break 2011

The little boys and I loaded up and headed to Leakey for the entire week of spring break. My mom and dad met us there and we all had a great time. I love going to Leakey because it is a little bit like stepping back in time 50 years. It's just a small charming Texas town. And what is not to love about fun and sun on the Frio River.

Brody LOVES his Papa, and LOVES his Papa's trucks. I think this red one is his favorite. I found a toddler bed set at Target that is vintage vehicles, and it happened to have a red truck on it just like this one. So I am going to take a bunch of pictures with the red truck and blow them up to use as the art in Brody's new big boy vehicle room. I can't believe my baby is going to have a big boy room soon. Gasp! Where does time go? Jaden was the only one who could stand the frigid water. He didn't care, he swam. He also pretended to be a dinosaur while swimming. This picture is him in dinosaur stance.

If Brody's leg was long enough to reach the peddle, he would be driving.

My mom traded in her Yukon for a convertible bug. It's really cute and the boys thought it was fun!

Jaden has grown up over the last year, and is now able to help Papa blow leaves off the porch. He thought this job was sooo much fun. I hope his little worker spirit continues to grow as he gets older.