Big Accomplishment

This might not look like much to you... but getting the kids to take a nap at the same time in the car is quite an accomplishment. Mason will take a nap in the car almost on command, but NOT Maya. We have to totally ignore her before she finally gets bored and falls asleep.

This was on the way home from San Antonio.

La Hacienda

We went to a great restaurant for families like us! They have a playground for the kids and a huge outdoor seating area with misters to keep you cool and live music.

The kids of course enjoyed playing.

Maya saw a little boy climb the rock wall with no shoes, so she decided to take the challenge. Pretty impressive for a 2 year old little girl!
Madison and Maya were throwing the pebbles. Madison started it by saying she was pretending to "feed Shamu" like they saw the trainers do at Sea World. Maya joined in.

Getting tired, or just curious what it would feel like to lay in rocks...Maya lays down.

Zak, Maddie, Amanda, and Brooke after a pretty eventful day!!

Mason and Maya climbed up under the misters and sat on the railing.

The kids end the night with some dancing. Maya and Madison were really boogying, but all the pictures I took are blurry because they were moving so fast!

Sea World

Sea World was anticipated by all of us, but mostly by Mason who didn't even know what it was.



Look at that Shark!

















We got to feed the dolphins. They were so neat to watch play and swim around. They would come right up and let you touch them.













Mason has been asking for sometime about riding on a roller coaster. He saw one on an episode of Dora or Diego or something. So, Sea World was his first opportunity to ride on a real roller coaster. Daddy and Mason rode the Shame Express! He said it was "AWESOME!"





The girls at the Shamu show... I couldn't get them to look at me, but I understand why.
This was my favorite part by far. They even do a tribute to the military which is always touching to me. My eyes filled with tears. Mason, Maya, and I said "Yea Daddy!"




















Brian carried the pink Dora backpack all day. What a good daddy he is.

Mason and Maya both had their pictures with the REAL Clydesdale horses, but I didn't have my camera ready at that point... the Sea World crew did -- but we never went back to look at them. So instead, I took their picture with this horse statue to conclude our day at Sea World. It was so much fun... we are definitely planning to go again.

Mason, Maya...meet Madison= 3M

We drove down to San Antonio to stay with one of my college roommates, Amanda, and her family. The kids have met Baby Brooke before when she was only 6 weeks old or so... but they never got to meet Maddie.

No better way to get to know each other than to take a bath together?!?!?

Seriously, though, the kids really enjoyed running around wild at Maddie's house. Maya loved the maracas and was intrigued by Zak's bongo drums...

M&M both loved watching & holding Baby Brooke and making her laugh. She was such a little doll. I hardly heard a cry out of her the whole weekend.

Maya Mavs Hat

Maya was enjoying wearing Mason's Mavs hat near bed time. When it was time to "rock a minute" as we do everynight before bed, she wanted to keep it on.

Then a few minutes later when it was time for her to go to bed, she insisted on sleeping in it.

Gabe's Birthday party!

Gabe had an awesome Cars Swimming party for his birthday! Even though the water was really cold, the kids had a great time!

Gigi made a Lightning McQueen cake -- very cute.
Brian and KJ, a.k.a. "Baka Akay" hang out...

Maya thoroughly enjoys a chocolate cup cake!

The kids sitting around the table started laughing at the icing on her face....and she REALLY was soaking up the attention... sticking her tongue out and just trying to keep the giggles going. She was successful!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to Daddy, Hidy, Pops and any other Daddy's reading this!!

"Tails" is one of Daddy's favorite books to read with Maya and Mason.

Mommy & Maya First Dance class

Maya and I are taking a "Mommy and Me" dance class. It is ballet, tap, and tumbling.

Our first class was Thursday. She absolutely loved it! Colette and Reese are in the same class. Reese seemed very happy that Maya was there. Every few minutes I would hear "hi Maya."

We are looking forward to next week. (and she will have a leotard that fits her better -- this one was too big and wouldn't stay on her shoulders... but still cute)

Having a Ball

Mason truly had a ball at soccer camp. Nesha said he was so excited, he got up by 6:something in the morning to get ready to go, then waited around until it was time for camp: 9 AM!

His camp only lasted an hour, so he helped entertain Paloma while Carmen & Gabe were still in their camp. As you can clearly see, she had a ball playing with him!

"Baka - Akay"

Sunday after church we went to eat lunch with Colette, KJ (also known to Maya as Baka - Akay), and Reese.
After we ate Maya, Reese and Mason enjoyed playing around outside.

Maya can say "KJ" just fine... in fact, "KJ" is much easier to say than "Baka - Akay".. and she knows that we call him "KJ" or "Kirk", but for some weird reason, she insists on calling him "Baka - Akay." It is quite comical.

Happy Birthday Grandmother!

We celebrated Grandmother's birthday a few days early. Julie and Christopher were kind enough to have us all over for some hamburgers and birthday cake!
















The kids found the doggie door to the back yard to be MOST entertaining. Julie has 3 big dogs. M&M enjoyed running around with them.

You would not believe how many times they crawled in and out of this dog door.














We love you Grandmother -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!