Granddad and Meme Beach Weekend

We managed to finally get both Granddad and Meme down to the beach and the girls were very excited about it!

We went to Steve's Landing again and we all ate too much, but it was SO worth it!  When dinner was over we went out to watch some boats pass in the intercoastal.  There was a neat sunset too.  Some weird shadow action in the picture, but it captures the sunset. 

 Flash was on for this one, so no weird shadows, but the sunset is missing!

 The girls wanted popsicles so I sent them outside to eat them and when I walked out they were sitting nicely on the same chair together.  Had to capture the rare moment.

 Michael caught a school of fish with the cast net and Addy found a new friend and was giving it a kiss before we set it free.  She was also picking the fish up again.  They were big this time.  Girl has no fear!  I wouldn't pick them up.

Loredo Lake House

The girls are already asking when we get to go back!

 Ainsley, Addy and Emily on the boat and ready for some tubing

 Ella wasn't a complete fan of the life jacket, but she tolerated it.  Fun time floating in the lake with friends.

 Michael and the girls on the paddle board

New fun this year was fishing.  I don't remember if Addy did specifically, but they managed to catch some fish which was super exciting. 

Forth Worth Fun

I managed to not get a picture with our gracious hosts, but we had a great time spending the night with Dottie and Fred on our way up to the Loredo's lake house.  We didn't see the girls much once they found Michael and Kristi's old toys...I think that Ella found some puzzles within the first 30 seconds of being in the house.  Super fun time and we hope to get back sooner than later!

Made a visit to the Stockyards which was fun, although a little hot...

 The girls watching the cattle drive

 Without a doubt, these rides were the highlight of the day.  I think that the Stockyards rounded up every pony and bull ride from the front of grocery stores from when Michael and I were growing up. And I think that the girls sat on every one of them. 

 Fortunately/unfortunately we only had one quarter, but they didn't seem to care whether it was moving or not!  This was clearly not Addy's first rodeo, she's got the moves down!

Ikea Ice Cream

We got ice cream at Ikea to entertain the girls while we waited for some cabinets to come.  Ella ended up wearing most of hers. 

4th of July 2013

4th of July means super fun, long weekend at the beach!  The weekend was full of trips to the beach, fireworks and fish

 Let's just say Ella is not a fan of fireworks yet.  Ironically, as loud as she is, she hates loud noises.  We thought that we had the problem solved this year when Michael brought ear plugs and she would actually wear them.  Then the 1st firework went off and this was the sight.  

 No children were harmed during our fireworks display, contrary to what this picture might look like.  The wind happened to catch the Roman candle right when I was taking the picture and the flash did something crazy. 

 Addy loves her Roman candles.

 A day at the beach with boogie boards.  We got Ella one because she always wanted to ride Addy's, but it was a bit too big.  And now she has no interest now that she has one of her own! 

 Michael brought out the cast net and got all kinds of little fishes.  Addison LOVES holding them.  I'm freaked out as they are flopping all over the place, but she just picks them up like they are nothing.

 Even Ella got brave and held one.  

An even bigger one. 

Little Swimmers

Between swimming at camp, beach weekends and trips to the private club on Braeburn, these girls have been in the water nearly every day this summer!  Addy is now an amazing swimmer and Ella can go anywhere as long as she has her noodle. 

Happy Birthday Granny

This blog posting is very belated, but the birthday celebration wasn't!  We had a great time celebrating Granny's 90th with her. What a special night!

Happy Father's Day

Kitchen Progress

Hard to believe that this time next week they will like be covering the walls up and we'll be close to ready for cabinets to go in. Lots of progress.  Unfortunately, I think that most of the budget is going towards things we will never see, but you'll have to trust us that we have some lovely new plumbing and electrical wiring. 

Here are some pictures of before demo and I stood in the same position and took pics tonight.  I think it is going to look really different tomorrow because a lot of the walls studs you still see are going to be gone.  Gonna look a little different - yippee!!

 View 1 Before 

 View 1 Tonight

 View 2 Before

View 2 Tonight

In The Ocean

Ella went from not wanting to put a toe in the water to this...

I think that this picture pretty much sums up the girls' relationship - sisterly love!

Kitchen Remodel Lesson Week 1

Kids dinners must be prepared on tall counters. I've been using the table to prepare dinner plates...no bueno, I can't keep the kids from eating before everything is ready. Yesterday they were done eating and were asking for dessert before Michael and I had even taken one bite of our dinner.

Kolter Kinder Awards

Where did the school year go??  I can't believe Addison is finishing kindergarten. I remember last year we were just starting to figure out school uniforms, backpacks, and all of the new school, new school year activities.  Last week the school had Kinder Awards, no real awards necessarily, but the teachers called each kids name and the principal gave them a medal.  I'm not sure we could have asked for a better introduction to "real school" - Addison's teacher and classmates are the best!

 Ms. Glapion - best kinder teacher every!

My baby is growing up TOO fast!

Summer 2013

We are in our beach routine and loving it!  Memorial Day was a very busy weekend down at the beach, but we were able to squeeze in a spot at the water and did plenty of hole digging, sand castle building and Addy's newest sport - riding the waves on her new body board. 

 Addy made an alligator out of sand and took it for a ride.

 



 Addy followed with a ride on the body board.

 

 Maybe the best purchase from the Big Store, ever.

Princess Ella is starting the summer anti-water.  Again.  She didn't even want to get out of the car at first.  After a nice snack, she was eventually back on the sand.  Not in the water yet, but no doubt she'll be jumping waves soon!



Little Dancer

Ella took her first dance class this spring, she wasn't 100% sure about it at the first class, but did great the rest of the class.  Parents were invited to the last class so Addy and I went to watch Ella. I was pretty amazed at how well she listened and participated.

Ella and her good friends at both school and dance class.  

Dress Up Princess

Sleeping Beauty

 

Tinkerbell dress, pink bunny pants, yellow crocs - perfect!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ella!

We celebrated Ella's actual birthday with a trip to the Mexican restaurant...what girl doesn't want queso on her birthday!

What Ella didn't want was to have her picture taken though! 

Happy Birthday Party Ella!

Ella's 3rd birthday kicked-off with a Doc McStuffin's inspired birthday bash with all of her buddies from school.  A fun time seemed to be had by all!  Ella has a lot of boys in her class, so the little bounce house was probably the biggest hit - a couple of times the girls were brave enough to get in and play, but it was a little Wrestlemania-like. 

 Me and Ella in the "Clinic"

Bounce house and bubbles - what more could a 3 yr. old ask for!

 Mid-morning party = lots of snack eating.

Ella turned shy when it was time to sing "Happy Birthday".  She didn't even want to blow out her candles, but luckily her friends were around her to help, so we counted to 3 and all her friends helped blow!

 Ella loves icing

Happy cupcake time!

Birthday girl!!

 Lots of Ella's friends have sisters that were in the same preschool class as Addy - so there was a mini reunion for the big girls. 

Silly birthday girl was totally not into unwrapping presents, but fortunately Addison was there to help out.  

Leave it to a new purse to get the girl excited!