Time with Cousins

7/13/09

We took the girls to get their hair cut. Ashlyn and Avery got braids. 7/14/09

Abbie is very interested in the video game!

4th of July

We spent the 4th of July at Grammy and Poppy's Allen house. The kids spent the day jumping in the bounce house. Abbie and Sophia were in town with Grammy and Poppy, and Brian, Payton and Hudson and Mimi also joined us for the day. In the evening we enjoyed the city of Allen fireworks from the neighborhood pool area. The kids were entertained by their glow bracelets, the fireworks and the neighborhood playground.

Fun in the Bounce house!

Watching the fireworks!

Grandma's Visit

Grandma came to visit last week from Alabama. We all had a great time! The girls were so excited for her visit, especially since we only get to see her a couple times a year usually. We had a week packed full of fun and kept Grandma very busy! We went to church Sunday morning and then made a fun trip to Costco, one of our favorites! On Monday we had a fun filled day at the Dallas Zoo! It was a bit hot later in the day, but we had an amazing time seeing all the animals! On Tuesday, we went to a nearby sprinkler park. The girls had fun in the water and on the playground and kept Grandma and me on our toes as they liked to go off in opposite directions. Thank goodness Sharon was there to help me keep up with them. On Wednesday we went to the movies and saw the Space Chimps movie. The movie was very cute and the girls really enjoyed going to the theater (and the popcorn, of course). On Tuesday, the girls and Grandma baked daddy a carrot cake (his favorite) for his birthday, 39th to be exact! We went to a seafood dinner at Red Lobster to celebrate as well. We were all sad to see Grandma go home on Thursday morning... the girls really missed her after we dropped her off at the airport. We had a fun week and can't wait to see her (and Grandad and Great Grandmom) next trip!!!

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day! Boy, was Ashlyn excited to honor her day on this special day! She couldn't wait to give him his gifts as soon as she woke up. Happy Father's Day, Chris! Your girls think you are wonderful!

Gift made by Avery

Card made by Ashlyn especially for daddy!

We gave daddy a wine saver and tickets to the Frisco Roughrider's minor league baseball game. We went this evening to the baseball game. This was Avery's first time to a baseball game. We had fun and the girls enjoyed the frozen lemonade more than the game, I think.

Trip to New Braunfels; 10 Year Anniversary

We took a family vacation to New Braunfels this past week, June 4-8. The girls wanted to spend some time with their grandparents and Chris and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary at a few Hill Country Wineries.

On Friday, Chris and I took the girls to Sea World! We had a blast! Feeding the dolphins seemed to be the group favorite along with sitting in the "splash zone" for the Shamu show. Our dare devil, Ashlyn, insisted on going on the roller coaster with her dad. Avery and I watched at the bottom while playing in the sprinklers. Although the roller coaster was quite a breath taking experience for Ashlyn, she was ready to go again as soon as she got off the ride. We went to the water park section of Sea World for the first time this trip. We all really enjoyed the wave pool and a few smaller water slides too.

On Saturday, Chris and I headed out to enjoy some Hill Country Wineries to celebrate 10 years together. Ashlyn and Avery stayed with Grammy and Poppy and enjoyed going to New Braunfels fabulous park, rode the little train around the park and fed the ducks. Chris and I really enjoyed the several wineries we visited and were pleasantly surprised at how good many of the wines were and actually feel like we were in Napa at times. The Texas Hill Country is really beautiful and a perfect setting for beautiful wineries.

We returned to Grammy and Poppy's Sunday evening and celebrated Poppy's birthday with a wonderful dinner he prepared on the grill, paired with a great wine we brought back from one of the wineries. We left Monday morning for home, sad to leave Grammy and Poppy behind.

Ashlyn & Avery feeding the dolphins

Sitting in the splash zone at the Shamu Show

Waiting for the Shamu Show to start. Avery wasn't too sure what to think about the person I asked to take our picture.


Ashlyn and Chris in the front row of the roller coaster

About to enjoy a glass of wine at Grape Creek Vineyards

Relaxing... Ahhhh!

Cheers to 10 years!

Lunch in Grammy & Poppy's backyard

Dinner in the backyard to celebrate Poppy's birthday

Ashlyn driving the Jeep around the backyard

Poppy opening his birthday present

Ashlyn's last day of school at CCDS

Today was Ashlyn's last day of school at Canyon Creek Day School. She had a great year, learned so much and we really love all the teachers and staff there. Her teacher this year, Mrs. Brady, was a wonderful teacher. The class had a fun end of year party at Boomerang's.

Plano Community Band outdoor concert

The girls and I went to the Plano Community Band outdoor concert today in downtown Plano. We ate a picnic dinner while enjoying the familiar tunes of the band. The evening wasn't complete until we spent some time on the nearby playground. Daddy was busy at a City of Plano meeting where he continues to serve as Chairman of the Cultural Arts Committee.