Sea World

On the way home from Lake Livingston we headed to San Antonio. We were going to Sea World!! The last time we had been to Sea World was when Luke was about 2 1/2 years old. When we went it was in March when the weather was still cool, actually is was down right cold that day. This time was a completely different experience. It was miserably HOT! Kate and Wade were crying while we waited in line in 95+ degree heat for over an hour. I was so worried about how the day was going to go. The first thing we did was head for the water. The kids splashed in the splash pad and cooled off while I found drinks. Once everybody cooled off we headed for the walrus, otter, and sea lion show.

We were all smiling, but we were still very hot!
The sea lions were swimming around hoping people would feed them little fish.
There were even babies. The little one on the right was one week old. The one on the left was a month old. They were bigger than I thought they would be.
The little otter was the kids favorite. He was so cute and made a cute little sound. The kids want to get one to keep at home....I don't think so!!!
Before the show. Luke and Rachel sat in the splash zone hoping to get wet and cool off some. The water missed them.

Wade napped during the second show.
The second show was probably the favorite. They had acrobats, dolphins, birds, crazy costumes, and a silly guy/clown. It was very entertaining. The kids sat in the splash zone again...I don't think they were hit with even a drop of water.
The big Shamu show was next. It was neat to see the whales flipping and doing their tricks. Kate gasp the first time the whale jumped out of the water.

Luke and Rachel were sitting in the splash zone again...even in the Shamu show they did not get wet. I guess if you did not want to get splashed you needed to sit next to them. They were so disappointed they had not been splashed all day.
The water skiers were next. It is amazing what they can do on water skis. The kids finally got splashed during the show!!! Kate tried to run out and jump in the water during the show. I caught her just before her toes hit the water.
Rachel, Luke, Kate, and I went on the water ride. Rachel did not like the height of the drop, but Luke and Kate thought it was the greatest thing. They wanted to go again!
The alligator and turtle pond. I had never seen so many alligators just lying around.
We closed the park down that day. It was a long hot day, but we managed to have a great time! We know to never go in the middle of the summer again. March or October would be much cooler and more enjoyable.

The Lake

As always, the lake was so much fun this year!! You just can't beat a fun filled weekend of swimming, fishing, singing, and eating. Not to mention all the kids there were to play with.

Wade was really not a big fan of swimming in the lake. It kind of surprised me since he likes water so much. I guess the water was too rough for him.
There was lots of jumping off the pier. This is Luke, Avalon, Tenley, and Rachel jumping together.
Lukie swinging on the rope.
Rachel and Avalon were great friends this weekend. We had not seen Avalon since she was about five. My she had grown up. Rachel has a friend/cousin as tall as she is and they are both ten years old!!
Tenley ready to take a plunge.
Miles enjoyed his time on the dock much better than his time in the water. He was not a fan of the lake. He did swim in the pool though.
Uncle Beaubie and Ian.

Grandnanna with Wade.
Uncle Aaron turned back flips off the rope!!! I was impressed!!
Johnnie and Sydney.
Grandpa with his buddies for the weekend.
Wade's curly little mohawk.
Kate's turn on the rope.
Luke being a stinker.
Uncle Aaron and Sydney.
Katybug swimming and smiling....what she does all summer long.
The kids did a little fishing too. Rachel caught three and Luke caught one.

We are so lucky Carol and Cecil open up their home for us to come every year. It is always so much fun, and we always look forward to coming back next year. Aaron and Johnnie and their kids got to come for the first time. We were super excited about that! We just want to thank Carol and Cecil for all they do to make this weekend possible we truly appreciate it!!

Pure Joy!!

The kids went to the splash pad in Snyder this weekend. I think they had a good time!!

Flashback Friday

We took this picture of Kate today at the pool. She would not allow us to fix her goggles for her. She thought they were perfect just the way they were.

This picture of Kate reminded me of one of our favorite pictures of Lukie.

Upon further investigation, this picture was taken three years ago to the day of the picture taken of Kate. How cool is that?

First Day of Preschool and A Block Party

Today was Kate's first day of preschool!! Here she is peaking through the window at what is going on inside.

This is how we left her...she went straight to the blocks. She did not even notice when we left.

She did very well for her first day of preschool. Miss Teresa, who also taught Rachel and Luke, said she adjusted much better than Luke did on his first day. She did cry a little when she realized we were gone, but enjoyed playing and even went down for a nap without a fuss. I hope Thursday goes just as good!

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This evening our street had a block party. It was National Night Out. Some of Midland's finest even came for the party. The fire department, ambulance, police, Safety Pup, and even a member of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse came. The kids thoroughly enjoyed getting to explore all the emergency vehicles, pet the horse from the mounted posse, meeting the Safety Pup, and riding their scooters up and down the street with all the neighborhood kids.

It is kind of an unnerving feeling having a fire truck and ambulance parked in front of your house. I am just thankful one of my kids did not cause the appearance.

All of the neighborhood kids got to crawl all over the ambulance, fire truck, and police car to their hearts content.

Luke even got to TOOT the horn! (I used that word because it is one of Luke's favorites.)

Fire hats and color books for everybody...

What do you think of this picture?

I pray this is the last time I see my son in the back of a police car! He looks like he is enjoying himself a little too much!