Enjoying the outdoors

After our almost 60 days of over 100 degree temperatures this summer, we had about one week of wonderful weather where we were able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. 

Playing ball in the backyard.

 

Eagerly awaiting snack time.

Soaking up some sun in the swings.

Swinging with my best bud…as long as he is not playing with MY toys that is.

Playing follow the leader in the tunnels.

“Wait for me!”

“You go first.”   “No, no, you go first.”

“Okay, I went first…but don’t step on me.”

Getting up close and personal with a spider at the zoo.

Dalton wasn’t scared at all.

Feeding the fish at the zoo.

“That is one big hippo!”

None of the kids seemed to be bothered by the fact that snake would have eaten them if it could have gotten to them.

Hanging out with the elephant.

Fishing in the Tot Spot.

Riding the train.  I guess I failed to get a picture of my kiddos on the train, but this was a cute one of our little buddy.

Enjoying the fish at the Japanese Tea Gardens.

Wondering when we can go home so we can take a nap while at the Tea Gardens.

We took Daddy with us to the zoo on his day off.  Addie was not enjoying the goats.

Dalton really wanted his picture taken with the bald eagle.

Watching the birds.  She has to make sure she is doing anything and everything her older brother is doing.

“Come on people!  I have the map.  I know which way to go.”

More fishing at the Tot Spot.  As you can see, no matter how often we go…the zoo never seems to get old for our two.

Peeking in on the prairie dogs.

Watching the “bock bocks” .

That thing is in need of a serious hair cut.

Showing Addie the ropes on the lily pad path.

Cotton candy and a train ride…who could ask for more?

Strolling along the Tea Gardens.  She sure does love her daddy.

Say cheese!

Watching “tornados” in the water.  Dalton was fascinated by the tornados that were created near the filtration system drains.

Hopefully this cold weather that has been hanging around lately will be short lived so we can get back out and let these kids burn off some energy.  I am learning I am not cut out to stay indoors all day long with three little ones running circles around my feet.  Perhaps we may have to start frequenting some of the various fast food places with indoor playscapes if this weather hangs around much longer.

Sibling Love

Dalton and Addie get along great for the most part, but it is even better when you catch these moments on camera.  Here is a cute one of them just hanging out together in Addie’s room.

Budding Artist

Since Addie has never been in a formal Mom’s Day Out setting or daycare, I’ve decided that it is important for me to create some of the opportunities at home that she would be getting from these programs.  Lately, I have been more dedicated to having story time for her each day before naps, singing songs, learning animals and their sounds, and having craft time.  This past week was our first time to pull out the paints and boy did she love it. 

As you can see, most of her masterpiece is neatly painted on the table rather than her paper.

No art project would be complete without sampling your materials, in this case…..the paint.

Up next week….fun with playdough!  Hopefully I can keep her from eating it, but I’m not counting on it.  They make almost all that stuff non-toxic anyway right?!?

First Ponytail

Addison’s first ponytail. Her mother was so excited. 

Marathon

Wow I can’t believe how late I am writing this.  Nobody tell Crystal that I am just now putting this up here!  She successfully ran the Rock N Roll Marathon here in San Antonio on November 15th.  That’s 26.2 miles!  It got pretty warm by the end of the day and the humidity felt more like Houston, but she did really well.  The kids and I went to the Alamo (2 miles in) and waited for all the runners to come. 

After that we went to a couple of other spots along the course hoping to see Crystal run by.  Dalton was very supportive of all the runners. 

Addie tried to be but she was tuckered out. 

Crystal finished very strong and said she had enough energy to keep going.  You can tell by the smile on her face she felt pretty good.

Now that she has reached her goal of running a marathon, she’s broadening her horizons.  She has signed up for a triathlon in May.  (I’m pretty sure she’s going to run the San Antonio marathon again next year too.) 

A BIG special thanks to everyone who helped her fundraise!  Couldn’t have done it without you!

Sometimes you just need a hug…

Happy Halloween

We started off our Halloween morning the way any Halloween should begin … by going to the Wurst Run in New Braunfels!    Crystal ran a very impressive 48 minutes for the 5 mile run. 

We continued the festivities of the day with Dalton’s soccer game. 

He did very well and was always in the action.  So far this season he has scored several times.  We are just working on getting him to score on the other team’s goal.

That evening we went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.  The kids went as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf (hand-made by Crystal). 

We had bought a truckload of candy to pass out to all the neighborhood kids.  We planned to make a trip around the block and then pass it out the rest of the night.  The only flaw in our plan was a miscalculation in the walking speed of a 1 year old.  By the time we made it back to the house there were no trick-or-treaters left.  It’s ok though, the team at Broadway Bank has taken care of our surplus candy supply!

I need your help!

Well I've done it again. I've decided to ride in the National MS (multiple sclerosis) Society's Ride to the River in October. The bank I work for has a goal to be a top fundraiser for the MS Society and so I have decided to join the cause. Please help me support the National MS Society in finding a cure by donating to my ride effort! You can donate online here.


http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/TXHBikeEvents?px=6992574&pg=personal&fr_id=11690

Any size donation is greatly appreciated. It will go a long way in helping find a cure.

Thanks so much for your help!


Blake