Road Trip- 3rd stop Dinosaur Park

The final stop on our road trip was a quick stop in Bastrop at Dinosaur Park. It is an outdoor museum with life-size dinosaur replicas.

First we did the Dinosaur Trail.

There were about 12 dinosaur replicas on the trail set back in the trees.

Triceratops

and the T-Rex (the girls favorite)

The dinosaur nest!

Next we did the Dino dig.

The girls got to use "real" paleontologists tools to dig for fossils.

Then they posed in the life-size (about 6 feet tall) T-Rex head!

It started to sprinkle so we didn't get to play on the playground but we went inside to make some fossils and do some dinosaur rubbings.

Road Trip- 2nd stop The Woods!!

Next stop was Mimi and Poppy's house!

We got super lucky cause Aunt Casey was also in town.

We got to do some or lots of swimming!

Poppy giving swimming lessons

Kendall kicked back

Taylor and her Popeye face- to funny

The next morning we headed over to our good friends The Madison's for some playing with them and The Perroni's and a baby fix for me.

Baby Case- so sweet

Ryan, Lonnie, and Evan have all been friends since high school/college football days. Then they all got married (and if I must say to some fine outstanding women!) Then came along

Mallory, Hudson, and Kendall- "The Originals"

It doesn't stop there! In the last 8 years it has expanded to

Taylor, Bella, Morgan, Mallory, Hudson, Kendall, and Case (not pictured)

Quite the group! The kids had a great time playing and the Mommy's had a great time catching up. Thanks for having us over.

Ever since Jennifer had Isabella she has been totally in-love with her. She even named her baby after her and this baby goes everywhere with us (still to this day). So she was super excited to she "the real Isabella"!!

"The real Isabella" and Kendall

Later that afternoon we meet Nicole, Ashton, and Rylan at Chick fil A for some dinner and more playing! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures.

It was a couple of fabulous days full of amazing friends, family, and good times!

Road Trip- 1st stop Blue Bell Creamery

The girls and I headed out on a little road trip and our first stop was Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham.

Outside on the antique car

Cameras are not allowed on the inside but the tour was awesome! They show you three different rooms where the ice cream is being made. You can see it being mixed, the flavor being added, the containers being filled, the lids put on, and put straight into the shipping box. It is fascinating!

At the end of the tour you get to pick from 19 different flavors for a nice freshly made cup of ice cream. It was yummy!!!

I couldn't get Kendall to put it down to take a picture

While we were sitting there eating our ice cream I asked the girls what they learned (I know its the teacher coming out in me) and Kendall said "it has 100 calories and it is made from milk". I don't even think she knows what that means. Taylor said "there are different ingredients like chocolate chips and strawberries in it". So they actually got something out of it besides some good ice cream!!!

Then we headed to Must Be Heaven a restaurant in downtown Brenham that some friends had recommended. OMGoodness it was delicious! This place was very quaint and full of personality.

Port Aransas

This last weekend we headed to Port Aransas to meet my mom, sister, brother in law, and niece to spend a long weekend on the beach. We had plans to go to Gulf Shores but the lovely oil spill messed that up and then we planned to go to Port A for the fourth but Hurricane Alex messed that up so third time was a charm.

Jennifer, Joe, and Avery

The first day we got there it was dinner time so headed to Kody's for some good fresh seafood!

After dinner the girls got their first shot a some putt putt golf.

Daddy giving Kendall some lessons!

She was actually really good at it- Daddy might have a partner.

Me trying to show Taylor how to hold the club. Let's just say she had her own technique!

The next three days were filled with

building sand castles

walking on the beach

swimming in the pool

playing in the ocean

The girls love the water and have no fear when it comes to it.

getting buried in the sand by Grams

looking for seashells

and dance parties!

The last night we were there we drove down the beach to The Cut and found a tons of really good seashells!

We got a rare family pics

Taylor posing my her name

Kendall striking a pose

Avery, Taylor, and Kendall

(one of the few halfway normal pictures I got of all three of them)

Ryan went fishing one morning with Joe and they found a school of red fish (which I heard is really rare but I am not a fishing person so I am taking their word)

Their catches

It was really nice to have our whole family together for a fun, relaxing, and noisy time.

July 4th

Sunday morning we headed to the pool so the girls could burn some energy off. Avery, Kendall, and Taylor had a blast playing with Haley and Daddy.

Kendall and Haley posing

Avery on Uncle Ryan's shoulders

Gram's got the girls some Fourth of July outfits

This picture basically sums up the girls when they are together

And this one is deceiving :)

I'm 30!!

Saturday was my 30th birthday!!!

My mom, sister (Jennifer), niece (Avery), and cousin (Haley) came up to help celebrate.

My favorite cake ever!!

We spent the morning hanging out and letting the girls play.

When the girls went down for a nap we headed out to do a little shopping. Daddy/Uncle Ryan stayed behind to entertain the girls till we got back. Well, they didn't take a long nap but were fully charged when they got up! Avery and Kendall are only 16 days apart and when they get together they act like haven't seen each other in a million years. It is crazy how much trouble 2 little 5 year olds can get into. So we headed back to help tame the 3 ring circus that was going on!

The trouble makers

That evening we headed to Steiner Steakhouse for a yummy birthday dinner but stopped at the park to take some pictures. Grams gave it her best effort and got some good ones but it was like pulling teeth.

Taylor

The 3 amigos-

Kendall

Thanks everyone for making it a great day!

Mayborn Children's Museum

The girls and I took a little road trip to Waco last week, the girls call it "Sic 'em Bears town". Our first stop was Mayborn Children's Museum on Baylor campus.

It was awesome! There are 17 themed Discovery Rooms.

Here is Kendall in the TV News and Weather Room. They had all kinds of hands on things for the girls to experiment with, even a green screen!

Water and Bubbles Room- one of the girls favorites.

You stood on this board and pulled the string up and tried to get the hula hoop all the way up with the bubble! We did it probably 20 times.

Taylor

The Pioneer Room

The girls were right at home cooking with all the stuff.

The People of The World Room- another one of their favorites.

This room had all kinds of clothes and musically instruments from around the world.

Taylor dressed up in a little bit of all the world!

Kendall behind one of the statues.

Native American Room

This room had a life size buffalo, tepee, corn grinder, and original weapons.

The girls loved dressing up like Indians and playing the drums in the tepee.

Our next stop after some lunch was the Bear Pit but unfortunately the bears were sleeping. Then we headed to the bookstore to pick up some new gear. That place is a serious money pit. The girls go crazy in there. They walked out with a new Baylor spiral, pen, shirt, and water bottle!