Old McDonald's Farm

Sunday we went to Old McDonald's Farm outside of Houston with the Straughan's. The kids really enjoyed petting and feeding the animals (well most of them). There were also several forts and playsets for the kids to play on. Samantha was thrilled to see the pony rides. She looks like a professional rider.

Cole really enjoyed throwing the food down for the animals. If one came to close he would scream and run away. He didn't want to touch the animals... just feed them from a distance.

Mason, Jacob, Callie, and Samantha seemed to have a good time running around and riding the train around the park.

What a cutie!!!!!!!

Here our gang of chickens.... what a group!

Jacob, Callie, and Sam feeding the ducks. There was even an emu.

There was a barn with ropeswings and hay. ...A combo that makes for a good time. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more the kids or the Dads.

Still feeding animals... Samantha liked to feed the animals. She did run into a few problems when the animals decided to go for the bag of food instead of eating out of her hand.

We had a fun hanging with the Straughan's. Thanks for inviting us to play.

Kemah Boardwalk

Last Saturday we went to Kemah Boardwalk with Brad, Bethany, Maggie, and Harrison. It is an amusement park on Galveston Bay. It was really HOT but the breeze off the bay felt great. We had so much fun checking the place out. We ate lunch and snowballs. The Dads and kids rode several rides, while Bethany and I stood in line for the train.

We ate lunch at a restaurant called Aquarium. The restaurant had floor to ceiling tanks. It was great for both the kids and the parents. In this picture the kids are watching a diver feed the sharks and the moray eel.

The girls aren't dramatic at all!!! They asked me to take their picture and then they struck their pose.
Maggie and I riding the train around the park. Look at those eyes!!!

Maggie took this picture of Brandon and Cole while we were on the train. I thought she did a great job.

Brad tried to ride this with his kids. But Maggie got real upset when their plane would not go up because there was to much weight... so Dad got kicked off.

Samantha and Cole loved the rides. This is Samantha's favorite... every ride was Cole's favorite.

Whenever the plane would go up Cole would put his arms over his head like he was riding a roller coaster and scream with excitement. I am glad to see there is a little bit of me in him too. We all know how much Brandon loves heights. When it comes to rides... Samantha is like Brandon and Cole loves them like me!! Samantha prefers the ferris-wheel where Cole prefers the roller-coaster.

All the kids in the little ferris-wheel. They liked to look out over the water when they got to the top to see all the boats in the bay. They even spotted a pirate ship. The workers let them ride this one twice. I think it was because they all laughed so much and were so excited everytime the saw something.

Playing at the Pool

Today the kids and I met Jamie and her three at a new pool in The Woodlands. It is really a great pool. They have water slides for small and bigger kids, a lazy river, a great splash pad for the little ones, and swimming lanes. The splash pad had a huge bucket that fills up and dumps it on the crowd below. The bucket was a big hit with all the kids. I went down the big water slide with both Jacob and Mason. Their Mom was a chicken! Yes, Jamie I threw you under the bus!

I am not sure which Callie and Samantha liked more the lazy river or the slide. They had a great time playing together.

Wait for it...............

Tidal Wave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cole.... our little fish.

Happy Birthday Frankie and Timothy

This past weekend Brandon and I went to New Orleans to celebrate my brother's birthdays. Timothy turned 30 on July 4th and Frankie turned 35 on June 22. To celebrate their birthdays they decided to throw a poker crawl. We had a blast. I think we should do it every year. Happy birthday to the two best brothers a girl could ask for. You are both wonderful people. I love you very much.

Here are Ginny and Frankie with some friends of theirs... Z David and Sharon. Thanks for a wonderful weekend Mom and Dad. I loved hanging at the pool with you!

One of the birthday boys, Tim, and the two Brandons enjoying the evening.

Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Craig, Conley, and his girlfriend Shannon came to celebrate too. Brandon really enjoyed hanging out the Conley.

Fourth of July

We had a wonderful Fourth of July. Mimi and Papaw came in for the long weekend. We got to show them around the area. Friday we cooked at our house then went to watch some of the best fireworks I have ever seen. Here we are waiting for the show to start. Brad and Bethany took all of us out on their boat on Saturday. Sunday came way to fast. We had to say goodbye to Mimi and Papaw. Hopefully this will the first of many many visits.

Samantha, Maggie, and Harrison waiting for the show to start! The girls loved the fireworks. Harrison on the other hand sat in Bethany's lap with the hands over his ears. He appeared to be hating it, but when it was all over he said he want more.

Cole was exhausted. I wasn't sure if he would make it to the show. He pulled through and LOVED every minute. He sat in my lap ew-ing and oh-ing and the beautiful displays of color. I don't think anyone enjoyed them as much as Cole.

What a great weekend! We can't wait til next year!!!!