Houston Zoo in the Summer Time

Houston Zoo in the summer time is HOT!  Very HOT!  But alittle heat never stops us.  We met up with friends there a few weeks back and braved the heat to enjoy everything the zoo has to offer.  And I do mean everything!  We got there as the gates opened at 9 AM.  We enjoyed the animals, watched the 4-D Dora and Diego Rainforest Adventure at the new theater, feed the giraffes, ate lunch, rode the Wildlife Carousel, toured the Dinosaurs exhibit, hit the splash pad, and finally caught a train ride around Herman Park.  More than 5 hours later we had 7 exhausted kiddos and 3 worn out moms!  Here's some shots from the day!

The crew!

Houston Museum of Natural Science

After we had so much fun at the Butterfly Museum earlier this summer, we were excited when some friends invited us on a trip back to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see the main exhibit hall.  We started off at the Butterfly Museum, because its too much fun to miss.

Future Scientists!

Let's Go to the Pool

After so much time at the pool this summer, I just couldn't bring myself to get up and go on this day.  So, we compromised and broke out the inflatable!

Sky Zone

What would be more fun for a bunch of kids than a big room with floors and walls made of trampolines!  We visited Sky Zone for the first time with some friends earlier this month.  Although, my initial reaction to this place was that it was one big accident waiting to happen.  As we walked over to our jump location, kids sat on the side lines in tears with different degrees of injuries.  But, our kids stuck to their own section and managed without any issues. They had a great time and loved jumping.

Here's our crew!

Today's Dirt Hill is Tomorrow's Mud Hole!

We're thankful for all the rain!  No draught this Summer!

Mississippi Summer Trip

Jacob had a business trip to Belgium, so Brenna and I flew home to Mom and Dad's to spend the week while he was away.  Here's Brenna all packed up and headed to the airport.  She's a pro at flying and looks too cute handling all her Minnie Mouse luggage through the terminal.

Backyard Cool Down

Sky - Vacation Bible School 2012

We had a great time at VBS this year.  I taught preschool crafts (which was an adventure) and Brenna made her first step toward kindergarten since she moved up to the "Big Kid" VBS classes.  I didn't get alot of time to take pictures, but some friends shared some that they took with us!

Brenna was Lazareth for story time

Summer at the Pool

Between holiday celebrations, play dates, and swim lessons, we've spent alot of time at the pool these last few weeks.  So much, in fact that I'm beginning to feel alittle water logged, but not Brenna.  Here's some shots from a recent pool playdate.

Computer Wiz

Brenna started learning electronics and technology early.  At two she started working on educational programs like Sesame Street and Caillou on the computer.  By three she had learned to operate my iphone and ipad and was learning her way around the internet.  Now at four she's totally self-suficient on the computer.  She comes into the office, opens Safari (Mac internet), uses the bookmark bar to select whatever website she's looking for, and then navigates her way through games, videos, and activities.  Her favorites are Disney Junior and PBS Kids.  This amazes me when I think about the fact that I didn't really learn to totally utilize a computer until I was in college.

Fun with the Gholston's

My how time flies!  One year ago I was snapping newborn pictures of Baby Arran and now he's about to turn 1!  So that means time for more pictures.  We got together with the Gholston's for a playdate.  The girls got to play while the boys went to work on photos.

It's hard to believe this little guy is already 1!

Gymnastics Olympic Dedication

For Mayfest at gymnastics this year they did a dedication to the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics in London.  Here's their routine.  Brenna's the one with the pink tights!

The End of Soccer

We had a great soccer season!  While me and Jacob were glad to see it come to a close, Brenna was disappointed.  She's already counting down to when soccer starts back in the Fall.  After a whole bunch of practices, 8 games, 6 goals, and a countless number of goal saves, she turned out to be a pretty good little athlete!  She's fast, coordinated, and hussels hard!  We were so proud of her.  The last couple of games were in the heat of the day and while others gave out, she powered through.  The coach called her our little Energizer Bunny!  It was even tough on the parents.  This last time I spent that long on a ball field in that kind of heat, I was the one playing!  Kinda gives me a whole new appreciation for all the hours my parents logged in the stands.

I added one more notch to my mommy belt, since I served as Team Mom for the season.  After the kids worked so hard, I thought they deserved some fun time, so we gave them a End of Season Soccer Celebration at the local McDonald's.  Here's some shots from her last game, the soccer party, and team photos.  It was a great season Los Angeles!

Last Game

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent our entire Memorial Day Weekend playing with friends all over; in our backyard, in their backyard, in the sprinklers, in the pool.  It was a fun and exhausting weekend, but it made me appreciate our happy little street.

Battle of the Sexes!

Brenna's Preschool Graduation

I can't believe she's old enough to graduate from anything!  We're so proud of her!  I cried and laughed through most of the graduation.  Preschool was a fantastic experience for her and she's already excited about Kindergarten.  I just hope her enthusiasm lasts through the summer!