Bowling & Zoo with the McDaniel's

The girls LOVED spending the summer with people other than me. Whenever we had a playdate or something to do, it was pandemonium until we arrived at our destination. The McDaniel's were often in our plans and here are some pictures of two "adventures" over the summer.

One HOT August night, April(Brayden's mom) and I decided to take the kids bowling. They could have cared less about knocking down pins, they just liked to roll the heavy balls. Here are some pics from the night:

Kissy Kissy

We also thought it would be fun at the zoo. An hour and a half and a train ride later, we were out of there. Here are a few pics before we melted in the heat:

The Gang of Four

Love the train

Visitors from Idaho

Queenie and Grandad came in for their annual July two week visit. The girls were so excited to see them and had a great time with them while they were here.

Also, our "other brother" Shady got married last weekend and Barrett was a groomsman (it was a beautiful ceremony and so great seeing all of Barrett's friends all grown up!).

We did get to Houston last Tuesday-all of Queenie's sisters were there as well as Granny. It was fun to spend the afternoon with all of them and the girls LOVED Aunt Betsy(and the toys she brought!!). We also got to see Nancy's new house-it is lovely and I was amazed at how much she had already moved in(they had only moved a few days before we visited!!)

A few random pictures from the past two weeks:

LOVE their ice cream(and they know they ALWAYS get dessert at Queenie and Grandads)

Lauren performs

Ta-da!

Kate gets some tips on how to study for the bar

Eagle finished the bar-yea more dessert!!

Time for bed? Probably not....

HOUSTON

Playing with all the toys(Aunt Nancy and Betsy help)

Miss Priss and her protege(don't ask me which is which...)

they LOVE Aunt Betsy!!

Uh-oh (did I mention she is an Aggie??)

Look what Aunt Betsy taught us!!(the girls now say "Bevo blah" and hold out their thumbs!!-Dan is so happy)

Kate's Birthday Tea Party

On Sunday, we had a tea party for Kate's birthday. She invited all of her friends and they had a ball painting tea cups and creating flowers. I think the part they enjoyed the most was drinking "tea"(apple juice) out of tea cups. Here are pictures from the party:

Birthday girl

Not the birthday girl-she is still VERY two

Painting the tea cups

Washing our hands for the tea party

Lining up for the party/tea room

the tea party table is set and ready

Blowing out candles(must be on dad's lap)

Eating cookies and drinking tea with friends

kate's birthday

Kate turned 4 years old on Saturday...can't even believe it has been four years. This time of year is always a little tough for us but Kate is such a miracle, it is hard to be sad for long.

Since the house is on the market(and there was an open house on Sat), we had pizza, cake and presents at Queenie and Grandad's. They are still in Idaho until next week but Laura and Eagle made it special by being there this year. Few pictures but lots of smiles:

Blowing out her candle

Icing yum!

Eagle was upset he did not get the blue icing from the cake...

Sister posing as usual

Present from her Aunt Christine, Uncle Gary, Cousin Ryan

No present was too tall....

LOVES her new digital camera...so does her sister who poses on cue

playing her new leapster game(cars)

Summer Fun in July

July is always such a special time of year. The Fourth was a lot of fun-Kate rode in the neighborhood parade but her sister slept in. [Lauren has decided she really likes sleep (a la Aunt Funny) and plays possum most mornings.] Dinner and fireworks were with our dear friends the McMahans...so fun and they have the best view of all the works. We thought the kids might be scared of the noise(and/or might not make the late night show...worried for nothing-they loved it!).

We have been filling our days with camp, swimming and playing. The girls have lost a lot of their toys(packed so we can show the house) but it has made them be more "creative" and closer. Never realized that holding hands and turning in a circle was a great way to pass time! Kate is reading to her sister more and more(I think she has more memorized the books rather than reading the words...).

Last week we went to the Nature and Science Museum with Brayden, Cody, and April. The kids had a ball digging in the dirt and seeing all the animals(lizards, snakes, coyote, et al). We will definitely go back there again. Here are a few pics of the big "dino dig"

June is over?

So I have been a little lax in the blogging...sorry. Things have been a little wild but good. We are putting our house on the market this thursday-we spent all of June working on it(new floors, paint, etc). It looks like someone else's house(I will try to remember to link the listing once it is up). What makes this all a little scary is that we have not found a house to move into yet. We know what we want but the houses I have seen so far fall a little short...everything happens for a reason and I know it will all work out in the end(still makes it hard to sleep at night!).

Kate is in summer camp-it is run much like her preschool but the "activity" is always gymnastics based. I think she likes the school part and could not care any less about the somersaults (like mother, like daughter...). She also did vacation bible school at our church for a week-she LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Still wants to wear the t-shirt they gave her and even this morning was singing one of the songs in the car.

Miss Kate also got tubes in her ears again. She is doing fine but two ruptured ear drums was our ENT's breaking point to put them back in. So far she seems to have less ear pain-appt with him is Thurs to be sure they are still in place and helping.

Lauren has been great. She is my buddy as we run errands(and "go shop"-her favorite phrase). She loves having Aunt Funny and Eagle in town and lights up every time we are around them. They are officially Austinites and have moved into their new house. Luckily it is nearby and we get to see them every so often.

Lauren is also still taking swimming lessons every week. Her sister is out until her ears are cleared but I think Lauren LOVES the individual attention(shocking I know!). She thinks she already knows how to swim! We call her Kamikaze because she just goes for it-no matter the task-and usually ends up sinking to the bottom. Love her teacher and plan to keep them in lessons as long as possible!


Here are some pictures for the month-not too many with all that was going on...sorry!

First shower-they LOVE them now(not sure if they get as clean but they giggle a lot)

Playing Dress-up with Brayden

Lauren did not want any part of it(she was a chef for all of three seconds)

The Super Heros!

Kate switches costumes to become spidey

A profile of Spiderwoman

Sisters(having fun without all their toys which have been packed up for the move...)