Spring into Austin (and Sea World)

I would be back here living in a heartbeat if it didn't get so hot in the summer. Well, at least i get to visit when it's nice and cool in the spring. I think Austin, TX will forever be our favorite destination for vacation. The kids love seeing their cousins, I love seeing my family, and we all love seeing the SUN!



We got there just in time for the family Easter egg hunt. :)



Did I mention I love Austin. It's so clean and beautiful. Terra Toys was always my favorite toy store growing up. It was nice to take my kids there and let them look around. It certainly has changed, but it was still pretty amazing.

Here we are doing what we enjoy most about being here. Spending time with the family.


The girls are getting a little too into the electronics. That's the influence of my relatives.



Daddy had a fun morning with the kids while mommy spent some time with her mommy.



We went out to celebrate Molly and Dillon's birthdays.



Then we had a party back at the house to celebrate all the cousins who'd had birthdays within a month. We took the kids around the property and Uncle Greggy played "Bloody Mary" with them... that really freaked them out... it was great.


As quick as the kids got down to scoop up that candy, the fire ants got there even quicker; something I don't miss about TX.



Our annual trip to Zilker where we feed the birds and rode the train.







And of course we have to make it to the ranch to see the cows and drive the four wheeler.
Even Molly and Dillon did a lot of their own driving this time.



Poppy kept Dillon over night this time and they went fishing. They had a really good time. Dillon loves his Poppy.

Now off to Sea World!



You can tell Dillon was not happy I was making him pose for a picture. He just wanted to get to the action.





And there was LOTS of action!



Some really cool water shows.

Shamoo!!!



Now it's time to go home.

Bye Bye Texas. :(

Lori

I was so lucky to get to go back to Cleveland to see my dear friend Lori when she had her new baby girl Nora. What a sweet, beautiful baby girl.

We worked like dogs to get her house ready to go on the market so they could move on to the next chapter in their lives. Her husband took a job at a hospital in Spokane so at least they would be in the same state as us.

I sure miss the daily summer trips to the pool and hanging out at the playground together. Molly and Charlee will never be the same without Mia and Jackson and I'm not sure Dillon will be the same without Bailey. But most of all, I miss my friend Lori.

I Remember

(there was originally a little bunny laying in the bottom of the sea/box)

I remember making these when I was in elementary school. It was always so much fun. I've secretly been waiting for one of my kids to have a project like this so I can relive the experience. Well finally Molly did... while I was out of town. But she did a great job all by herself. She did her report on this book...

9 years of Molly

9 years old! Molly enjoys roller skating, school, reading (currently reading Alvin Ho), art, collecting Japanese erasers, is doing well at the piano, and has started playing soccer (and is really good.) We love playing board games and hanging out together. Molly is very kind hearted and good spirited. She can get crazy and giggly when she gets with her friends. She's a wonderful big sister (when she wants to be) and a perfect daughter.
Happy Birthday! We love you Molly!

We had the family and Molly's childhood friend, Hayley, over for a small birthday party.

I made chicken pot pie (at Molly's request.)

We played Molly bingo.

She even hugged her brother and sister.


This is her friend Hayley.


When I was little we used to get these really cool things in our Easter baskets. They were these balls of string and as you unwrapped the string, little toys would fall out (spider rings, bouncy balls, etc..) I always thought those were the best and I always wanted to find something like that for my kids, soooo... For Molly's birthday gift I decided to make o huge ball made of streamers and stuffed with Japanese erasers. It was a huge hit! Each time she got to a new eraser it was like unwrapping a new gift and it took forever (thus prolonging the excitement.)




Nana Charlotte and GG Molly.

Happy Birthday Sweet Molly.