Family Traditions

We have a family tradition that each year on each person’s birthday, they get to decide where we eat for dinner.  I grew up with this tradition in my family and always enjoyed it and wanted to keep it going with my kids.  Dalton selected Rainforest Café for his birthday dinner this year.  It has been a favorite of his for years and still asks if we can at least walk through the jungle scene each time we find ourselves at the Riverwalk.  Naturally, I figured Addie would ask to go somewhere equally as exciting.  However, it turns out she noticed our unused picnic basket tucked away in our garage a few months back and has been begging to have a real picnic for weeks.  When asked where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner, she quickly replied that she just wanted to have a picnic.  What mom cannot honor that request?  Since her birthday was on a Tuesday this year, we packed some PB&J’s, fruit and the leftovers from her cookie cake from school, headed up to Dalton’s karate class early and had a picnic at the church playground.

I love my sweet, yet simple little girl!

Cousins

We made a quick trip to San Angelo after Addie’s birthday party to see the cousins.  Since there are now five cousins, getting pictures of all of them together can be quite the challenge.  Here are a few we took on a whim over the weekend as a Mother’s Day Gift for Grandma.

All piled in the car and heading out.  That’s A LOT of kids but fun times were had by all!

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 16

And the WINNER!

Clayton looks so grown up compared to the rest of them in this picture.  It’s hard to believe that the gap between Clayton and Dalton is almost identical to the gap between Dalton and Asher.  What can I do to keep my little guy little for a while longer?

A party fit for a princess

 

I can’t believe my baby girl is four years old!  This year we had a Princess themed tea party.  Addie had a great time with all of her friends and I enjoyed all the planning and preparations that went into the party.

My four year old princess!

The Princess Castle Cake

The decorations

Table settings

Tiara crafts

The snacks

Blowing out the candles with a little help from friends.

Snack time

Craft time

and finally….Gift time.

Family Fun at Landa Park

 

New Braunfels is just a hop, skip and a jump away from our house.  We feel so lucky to live so close to both San Antonio and this treasured little town.  One of our favorite spots to visit for the day is Landa Park.  It has multiple playgrounds, hiking trails, gorgeous shade trees, a miniature train to ride, paddle boats, swimming pools and endless ducks to feed.  We try to sneak up there as often as possible to just enjoy a day outside with the family.  The month of April provided us with some amazing weather to do just that.

Enjoying a train ride with the family.  (Blake opted to be the photographer today since it seems I am usually the one hiding behind the camera.)

Chasing the squirrels up the trees.

Enjoying some high flying fun!

Fiesta Tricycle Parade

 

If you have lived in or have ever traveled to San Antonio during the month of April, you know Fiesta is a big deal around here.  Even the preschools get involved.  Addie’s school always has a Fiesta Tricycle Parade.  The kids get to dress up in bright colors, decorate their bikes and ride around in endless circles around the parking lot.  They love it!

Addie has really mastered riding her bike with training wheels in the last year.  Maybe, just maybe, we can move on to riding without training wheels this summer.

Easter Egg-stravaganza!

 

This year we were able to attend our church egg hunt.  The turnout was great and the kids had a fabulous time.

The kids enjoyed playing on the playground…..

as well as the bouncy toys…

and of course the egg hunt!

We snapped a quick family photo…

and then hurried home to see what the Easter Bunny had left us!

San Angelo Rodeo

We went home to San Angelo for a nice 3-day weekend.  Mom & Dad treated us to a night at the rodeo.  We took our nephew Clayton with us.

Hanging out with a baby buffalo.

Nothing like pre-rodeo cotton candy.

This poor guy below lasted all of 2 seconds.  Yes, that is his right leg coming to meet his face. 

The next day we went to my Aunt Millie’s house. She has some new baby goats that the kids wanted to feed.

And finally, the car ride home.  Here is a picture of our sleepy girls.

Happy Birthday Daddy: Part 1

Blake is celebrating his last year in his twenties with this birthday so we thought we would start the celebrations early this year.  Addie and I met him for lunch at one of his favorite places to eat on Monday.  We enjoyed some yummy food and even better dessert.

Happy 29th Birthday Daddy!  We can’t wait to celebrate with you and all the family at the Rodeo on Saturday!