Highlights Part 5

Bringing the zoo to the zoo!
We left the beach for one afternoon and made a pilgrimage to the zoo. There is always something special about each zoo and this one is no exception. We loved the bird exhibit and the kids got such a kick seeing the birds land on their arms. The huge tortoises and the "walk right in and fend for yourself" petting zoo were also very fun. Most of the animals are very close at this zoo so it was prime viewing for the little ones.

Beachin' it

We made lots of early morning and late afternoon trips to the beach to keep the sunburn to a minimum. This was the perfect time of the year to be at the beach. Few tourists, milder temps, and fairly calm water. There was tons more seaweed on the shore than usual this year, but the kids didn't seem to mind too much.

Highlights Part 4

The Wing
The "Wing" was another big hit. Dad pulled the kids behind the boat on the wing and even Nina and Moriah gave it a try. Sela got brave and started standing up and pretending to sleep while Dad pulled her faster and faster. It was so funny to watch her little show on the water!

Highlights Part 3

Sand Dunes
My kids just LOVED the dunes. Further down the beach where there are no condos or homes, there are dunes that go for miles and miles. Rollin was like a little sand crab when he hit the dunes and he would be sweaty and covered in sand from head to toe within minutes. Sela got a kick out of jumping from the big dunes and rolling down to the bottom. We drove down the beach several times to endulge them in this new favorite activity. I was also trying to get some pictures, but sadly, something was wrong with my camera this trip and none of my photos turned out very well. Big bummer. But, at least we have the memories (though in this family, we can't count on much memory, can we?! :)

Highlights Part 2

Incredible Fishing on the Pier
While we able to catch at least a few trout each night, we had one incredible night where all the kids were catching keepers like crazy! It was such a blast. I love to fish, but it was even more of a kick to watch Sela catch her own all by herself. The first couple of nights we fished at the island, Dad was putting the bait on, hooking the fish, and letting Sela and Nina reel them in. Things were so hot this one evening that the kids couldn't wait for Dad to hook them all up and they started taking care of themselves..and they were great at it! Sela caught her own live shrimp in the bucket, put her bait on, caught her own fish and brought it in while one of the other cousins netted it, and vice versa. At one point, the fishing was so good that Kennedy laid her pole down on the pier to help net Sela's fish, and a fish took her bait and pulled her pole in the water. Oh, it was just an absolute blast. Dad had a perma smile across his face all night long as well! He lives for this kind of stuff and seeing the kids have fun. We ended the night with 14 keepers and lots of happy and very exhausted children!

Highlights Part 1: South Padre Island 2008

Is there anything better than "The Cousins?"
Well, we had such a fun trip to Texas. None of us were ready to leave!! Probably on the top of each of our lists, adults and kids alike, was seeing each other's little ones and watching our children enjoy every
moment with their cousins. Being so spread out, we don't see each other near as often as we would like. Everyone met Jude Mecham (Erin's baby) for the first time and what a sweet and adorable baby he is. The cousins shared lots of love, fun, laughs, food, a cold or two, pushing fests (2year olds),hugs, and tears when it was time to say goodbye. We feel so fortunate Sela, Nina and Rollin have such wonderful cousins to grow up with. It is such a strength and comfort to know such strong bonds will only continue to grow and bless our lives.

We're getting there!

I'm making progress...
Complete: Taxes, Power of Attorney, library drop-offs, clean out fridge, last minute shopping for a few beach necessities, house mostly clean and even a little bit dusted, kids are packed, mine is laid out on the bed (half done), packed some snacks, made muffins for the plane, dinner prepped for tonight (we are cleaning out the fridge and are down to lots of kale and citrus. We are having Soba Noodles with peanut sauce, asparagus, edamame, and kale. Lots of yummy oranges straight from Zig's yard in CA for dessert(thanks Tina!)I still have my haircut tonight (which takes FOREVER so I'll probably be home at midnight), the kids and I are headed to the other house this afternoon to say a final goodbye and pack a bit. I have a load to drop off at Value Village and still need to get the kids plane activities together, but I think we're on track. It's sunny and Nina has been wearing her new beach cover-up for the past two days...mostly with tights and anklets on top of the tights, because people wear anklets at the beach, MOM!

I had to pick Sela up "sick" at school yesterday. The nurse called and said Sela felt like throwing up. Not good timing. I'm sure nurse Debbie questions my level of compassion when the first thing out of my mouth when I picked her up was "Oh no, we're going on a trip in two days, she can't be sick." But, fortunately, Sela was already looking better when I arrived and I think she just felt a little off that day. She is at school today and does not have the flu, thankfully.

I took this picture of Zig and Rollin last night...they were spending some quality time looking at chickens again. It's almost chick time...when we get back from Texas, the chicks will be coming!























Nina wanted the pink cover-up but it was a bit um...tacky. So she settled for white and decided to accessorize with a scarf. Only Nina.