Texas Part 3

The last stop on our trip to the south was a few days in the VERY south - to the beach! We drove from San Antonio to Corpus Christi, then took a short ferry ride to Port Aransas. What a charming little town, and we went at just the right time, just before the crowds of Memorial Day weekend. We stayed in a pretty incredible beach house, fully equipped and furnished with no detail untouched. I couldn't think of a nicer, more relaxing and fun way to end our trip.

Don't you love the orange doors?

I had serious kitchen envy here!

Check out the rainbow of cheerful beachy colors in our neighborhood. I love it!

We swam at the beach, ate some literally fresh-off-the-boat seafood, and soaked up all the sun and ocean air we could.

These guys caught this shark about 50 feet up the beach from us!

Awww...love him!

Texas Part 2

After graduation festivities, we all headed south to San Antonio.

Always a must-see is the Alamo.

Then to the River Walk for a boat ride and some delicious Texas barbecue!

Boy cousins all smiling so innocently, right?

I love how Lydia will try just about anything. She's listening to the "bird guy" and petting his beautiful parrot, or cockatoo, or whatever it is. Let's just call it the green bird.

Three curious cuties...

The next day was Sea World day! I was just a kid the last time I went to Sea World San Diego, so this was a treat for all of us.

Lydia concentrating intently on the sea otter/walrus show:

Now it's Seth's turn for the I'm-so-hot-and-exhausted-but-I-can't-take-my-eyes-off-the-beluga-whales look.

We welcomed a nice cool trip around the lazy river at the hotel, followed by awesome Mexican food.

We said goodbye to San Antonio by visiting the temple on the way out of town.

Texas Part 1

I remember it being May, then I blinked and woke up to today, July 20. So much to catch up on! We took a super fun trip to Texas back in May for Matt's mom's graduation from University of Texas. It was that and so much more!

Two happy, clean little kids in a big, comfy hotel bed...

...end up like this in the morning!

Who needs toys when you have your fun cousin and a cardboard box in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard?

It was an impressive graduation ceremony. Proud Texans who profess their love of God, family, and an equally impressive alma mater. Diane received her bachelor's AND master's degrees in Accounting. She's an inspiration to all who know her.

A family proud of their mom and wife.

The best attempt at getting a family photo of everyone:

12 of 12 - July

1 - Starting the day off right building a train track with Curious George on in the background.
2 - I took the kids to the $1 kids' movies at The Landing. It was the first "real" movie experience for both of them. Their review? Two little thumbs up for "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything."
3 - I probably need to get a life, but I'm so excited about my new iron I got for my birthday. And yes, it's what I wanted. I love my awesome stainless-steel/super-steamy/self-cleaning/cord-retracting/anti-drip/three-hundred-hole/super-heavy-duty Rowenta!
4 - Count the diapers - there are 8 left. To potty train or not? Costco diapers are hands down my favorite, so if I decide to hold off on Lydia, I'll need to buy another giant box...soon!
5 - This is unusual...Seth napping. The movie really took it out of him!
6 - Making a t-shirt quilt for Matt's cousin. It's been a few years since I made mine, and I forgot how much fun it is!
7 - My Christmas cactus hasn't bloomed even a little for the past 3 years, and a month after I move it from the dining room table to the mantel, out come the blossoms!
8 - Almost finished with another great read.
9 - Took a quick trip to the library to avoid overdue books and to get some new ones. Before we go home, the kids like to climb on the friendly concrete turtle outside.
10 - Surprise garlic in the herb garden with their puffy purple blossoms!
11 - Tuscan pizza grilled outside for dinner. I wish I could say the tomatoes are from our garden, but at least the basil is!
12 - I was about to get ready to water the garden when I heard the familiar whsssshhhh of cars driving by on wet roads. Good rain storm for a little bit makes for nice, cool sleeping weather.