jumping world!

Logan has started asking to see his friends, or as he calls it, "his Sierra" and "his Ryker," and since yesterday was a nasty rainy day, we ended up at Jumping world (giant building full of trampolines, ball pits, and over-all awesomeness). 

Talk about fun, and a workout!

I've learned my lesson in participating to much at jump world, especially now that my belly has grown.. its so exhausting. And to think people might actually stay longer than an hour!

Definitely a successful trip, even with the pouring down rain, and freezing weather! I actually enjoyed running to the cars to get kids loaded in while it was raining cats and dogs, added a bit more excitement into the mix. 'Cause you know, 5 kids under the age of 5, and two pregnant ladies wasn't enough. What can I say? We like a challenge! 

first trip to the beach

Now that the wedding is all over and done with, and I no longer have to worry about getting tan lines in the wrong places, me and the Flowers family decided it was time to attempt a beach trip. There were some doubts, and we pretty much planned for anything and everything to go wrong, but in the end, it actually turned out awesome! 

The kids had a blast, the weather was perfect, and we didn't forget anything! Even the water was nice, which is rare for Galveston. 

It was Ryker's first trip to the beach, and he LOVED it! And sierra got to ride the boogie board for the first time, and was actually pretty good at it.. When I tried, I'd fall off, it was sad. 

There were quite a few attempts to build sandcastles, but as soon as we got one up, it'd get knocked down by Sierra the Giant. Besides the knocking down, Sierra and Logan were very helpful in filling up the buckets with sand. 

It wasn't until the end that things started going wrong.. The storms that we managed to avoid, moved in quick, and even though we were just about packed up to leave, we didn't quite make it out without getting rained on. We made the best of it and laughed about it, until we went to leave and one of the vehicles wouldn't start (I blame Michelle and her bad luck). We ended up having to call some of my family to come lend us some jumper cables, and help us out. In my opinion, it made the trip that much funnier. 

This trip was probably one of my all time favorites, and I can't wait to go back, hopefully soon! Of course, since everything went so well this time, next time will most likely be a disaster. Lets hope not!  

first "camping" trip, day 2

Saturday was extremely busy, but worth it! It started with painting, which I missed mostly so that Logan could hangout with out me for a bit, and so that I could have a tiny break. I did happen to catch the end, where he painted over that purple and gold LSU dinosaur with burnt orange, which just tells me he is a true longhorn! I'm so proud! 

Hanging out with these kids takes up so much energy.. But man, they are always just so happy and playful.

It actually got pretty warm out, and we figured we'd take the kids swimming. My god, the water was freezing! Logan was not feeling it, but that could be because he just woke up from a nap. It wasn't until I took him down the mini water slide that he actually started enjoying himself. The rest of the kids on the other hand, had way to much fun, although I'm pretty sure Ryker had the most fun.

Logan did however, enjoy watching Ryker "jump" of the side of the pool. He just refused to join in.

 

After all the kids admitted to being cold and tired of the water (more like we told them we were), we headed back to eat and get ready for the bike parade! It was so fun watching and chasing the kids around the park so we could see them with their bikes all styled and glowing with the glow sticks wrapped around the bikes. I couldn't help but laugh when we kept asking where Owen was, and finally saw him trailing behind the others, taking his sweet time. It was great!

We ended the night with "mystical fire" that the adults had more fun with than the kids. They were just to worn out from the day to even think about sitting around the fire. They actually told us that they wanted to go to bed.. why can't they do that every night?! 

We didn't do much the next day besides pack and clean, and get ready to head home. All in all though, it was so much fun, and something I would really like to do every year. So far, we've gone on a few trips with The Flowers family, and it always ends up being so memorable, (good and bad haha).

One thing I will always remember and love, was that when me and Logan would walk down the road, he would hold my hand, swing it back and forth and "sing" to me, which was mostly "la's" and "da's". He's got such a great personality. He also surprised me when he went to go off on a trail.. He looked back and yelled "da da" and looked around, expecting daddy to come down the trail. It made me have mixed emotions because I was sad that daddy couldn't be there to go with him, but happy that in that moment of happiness and excitement, Logan thought of daddy. I don't think Mike realizes how much Logan really loves him and looks up to him. One day he will believe me.

A big giant thank you to the Flowers family for having us with them, they are always to nice to us!

first "camping" trip, day 1

I guess I would consider what we did the past weekend camping.. just subtract the tent, sleeping bags, and sleeping outside. We agreed to split a cabin with our friends out at Yogi Bear Park up past Houston, and it was a so much fun! 

I was a little worried since I was taking Logan alone, and I had to go out there straight from picking Logan up from daycare. Somehow the trip there was not bad what-so-ever! Traffic was not bad considering it was Friday at 6pm, and Logan was in a surprisingly good mood (could have been because of the giant bag of cheetos he had for the trip).. until it was time to get out and see everyone. I cannot explain how bad his stranger anxiety is. I keep hoping that its a stage and that it is going to pass soon, but it's just not letting up.

Eventually, he settled down, and he got a little more comfortable with everyone. There were a few times where I walked away when he wasn't looking, so that he would interact with the other adults there. For the most part, it actually worked!

As far as I know, once I'm not around, he's an angel.. funny how that works, huh? 

We did do some of the well known camping traditions with all the kids, like fishing, roasting marshmallows, and "hiking" which was really just walks around the lake, and occasional trips off the path to see if there was any hidden trails. It's always fun to see how excited kids can get over the littlest things, I love it! It makes me get excited too.

Sitting around a fire with our pretty much second family was fun, as always. It would've made the night a million times better if Mike could have been there but unfortunately he had to work a few hours away. 

It took a little while before I could get Logan to settle down in our bed, and there were a few times when I thought he was going to wake Ryker up.. luckily that kid sleeps hard! 

I'll share some more pictures later, there are so many!

easter part 1

Sorry I have been missing the past week.. my son has been the crankiest kid on earth, and I have yet to figure out why. I hope it ends soon though, I am exhausted! 

Anyways, our Easter was awesome! The only thing that I wish we had made it to was church.. but there was no way I could have been up and ready for the early service. I figured watching it online would have to work. Besides Logan's constant fussing, the day was pretty good for us. 

(there's proof that Logan was fussy^)

Logan missed doing the Easter egg hunt due to napping, but I enjoyed watching the other kids run around, hunting all the eggs, and I know Mike had fun hiding the eggs, although I'm sure he would have preferred to hide them harder. After, the kids decided to dip their feet in the pool, which we should have realized that they were going to end up all the way end. All I can say is that those kids are BRAVE! The water was freezing.

Thank you to my amazing friends for being so thoughtful, and saving eggs so that we could let him do and egg search after his nap. He was determined to open every single egg before they went in the basket, so it took us awhile. Probably a good thing he didn't hunt with the kids, he would have ended up with like 2 eggs. 

 (I'm pretty sure we all felt like this at the end of the day^)

I am so blessed, and I kept in mind all day the true reason we celebrated. I hope everyone else did too.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."
Mark 16:6

the big four!

Sierra turned four today, and I can't believe it! Seems like yesterday, she was Logan's age, and I was watching her and Mike play in the front yard. Now, she's a big girl, and I feel old! I'm so lucky to have met Michelle, and really can't say how blessed me and my family are that they include us as if we are actually related. I love them so much! 

(there was a lot of this from Logan^)

(there was some serious pinata hitting going on^)

(I cannot get over Ryker's chunky legs^)

  

(and a lot of confetti eggs^)

at the end of the day, these two cuddled up on my lap, and we all watched the hobbit. The party must have been pretty exhausting, because not only did Logan, and Sierra pass out on the couch, but Mike did too. No party like a four year old party!