It's the middle that counts: March 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Happy St. Patricks Day

Of course the kids were decked out in their green.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

We had a wonderful time at the Rodeo. The weather was not great so we ended up only playing one game and riding one ride. Poor Emma was so upset as she was really looking forward to the rides. I promised her tons of rides at Disney World and that seemed to ease her disappointment. We did get to see a baby goat being born, it was the coolest thing. The kids watched for like 20 minutes through the whole experience, Emma also got to see a chicken hatch. What a wonderful learning experience. We took the kids to the rodeo because we knew it would be fun and they would enjoy it, I never expected them to learn so much. Jack loved the petting zoo and got to ride his first pony! Overall it was a wonderful day spent with family. The kids loved it and so did I.

Jack kicked the goat- I have no idea why he thought this would be a good idea, but funny I caught it on camera

Emma was not a fan of the petting zoo, no surprise there

Andrew was home making a living for us and we were enjoying his dream car, one day this camero will be ours:)

Watching the baby sheep being born, it was amazing!

Watching the baby chick being born

Burying our corn seeds at the kids market area

Pony rides-fun for all sorry about the quality it was my point and shoot, not my EOS

Jack's first time on a horse-he looks unsure, but actually had a good time

The tractors were a huge favorite for all

Jack did not want to take a picture with Miss Moo

The whole crew

Watching the pig races

My sweet niece Marissa, I love this kid!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sea World

Our Sea World Trip was a HUGE success. We drove down on to Austin on Friday, it was a long drive with lots of traffic. I got a great recommendation for a restaurant in Westlake that had an awesome outdoor area with a huge sandbox and playground. The kids ran off some steam while Andrew and I relaxed at the picnic tables and ate dinner. It was a great way for them to run off steam after the long drive. We then headed to the hotel (thanks Dad:) and Andrew put Jack down while Emma and I walked around. She was so excited to stay in the hotel and ran around the room in total awe. Look at the mini coffee pot she exclaimed it was too cute. It was a two room suite so Emma, Andrew and I shared a king sized bed while Jack slept in the port-a-crib in an adjoining room. It worked out well and we all got a good night sleep.

We woke up Saturday ate breakfast at the hotel and headed to San Antonio. We met Amy, Fernando, Marissa and Mark at the McDonalds by Sea World then headed into the park. We actually got season passes since they were the same cost as daily passes so we will go back!

We had an amazing day. The kids loved the azul show (beluga whales, dolphins, acrobats, divers and swimmers), even Jack watched in awe the whole 30 minutes. We saw all the attractions and had a great lunch. Jack fell asleep for a while which was nice as he really needed a nap, it is so nice to have a kid that naps in a stroller. The Shamu show was a little boring. The trainers can't get in the water so it was just whales jumping every so often, the kids were bored and so were we. The sea lion show was great and really entertaining.

Hands down the best part of the day was feeding the Sea Lions and dolphins. You buy fish 4 for $4 and can feed them. The sea lions you stand outside and kind of just drop them into the water, but the dolphins are up close and personal. It was an amazing experience for all of us!

We played in the water, on the play ground and all around.

Later we headed back to a hotel on the Riverwalk. We ate dinner then spent time swimming before we all headed to bed for the night. We shared a suite with Amy's family and it was really good, we got lots of sleep and the kids enjoyed spending so much time together. Sunday Emma headed back with Amy and Jack, Andrew and I drove back to Fort Worth.

Overall I can not tell you how much I recommend Sea World for a family vacation. It is not cheap, it was about $150 for our family to get in for the day (in addition to food, drinks and fish food). But those are season passes so next time we go back it will not cost us really anything. It was a long drive from Fort Worth so I am glad we broke it up on the way, and wish we had time to break it up on the way back. We will go again, probably the weekend of Emma's birthday. This is an open invitation for every one to join us, the more the merrier.

Here are some pictures from our trip, I know some of them are sideways and even upside down, but I used my point and shoot instead of my SLR and for some reason can not get them to rotate. While I love having a smaller portable camera for these types of days it is a pain when getting them edited and uploaded.

Jack checking out the fish at the aquarium, probably his favorite part

Emma feeding the dolphins this was amazing

Look how close they are

Jack feeding the dolphins with Daddy's help he kept saying "bid fish"

These two will be lifelong buddies Jack loves Mark and follows him around

The water was so cold, the girls stayed for like 3 minutes Mark was in it for like 30 that kid is tough

The play area was awesome

Feeding the sea lions sorry this is upside down, how does that even happen?

My little man was worn out, as long as he has his blankie he sleeps anywhere

Ready for the sea lion show

Emma walking like the penguins at the penguin exhibit

The Shamu show

Eating lunch with Daddy such a big boy at the picnic table

Ready for the Azul show

Swimming at the indoor pool at the hotel Emma is diving!

Poor little Jack was so work out by the time it came time to swim

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

5 Years in Pictures

Andrew and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary last week. Our gift to each other was a trip to Jamaica, we leave April 4, and will be kid free for 7 wonderful days. A lot has happened in the past five years. Starting on March 5, 2005. In the past five years we.

-Went on our honeymoon to St. Lucia

-Moved across the country away from family and friends to Maryland, we met the most amazing people and created such a strong foundation to our marriage.

-Went on several trips as a couple, the finger lakes in NY, a pig roast in upstate NY, several Virginia Tech Games, Matt's lake house, Washington DC, Arizona, California, and Jamaica again.

-We bought our first car together-Andrew's Magnium

-Became totally debt free.

-I quit my job to be a stay at home mom-5 years ago wow this has gone by fast.

-We were blessed with our first child a beautiful daughter Emma.

-My Grandfather passed away

-Went on more trips, upstate NY, Saratoga NY.

- We moved back across country it was a sad and happy time, saying goodbye to all our friends, but so happy to be closer to family

-We bought our first house

-Bought and paid off our second car as a family

-Andrew's Godfather passed away

-Andrew got a promotion

-Went on more trips, upstate NY, Jamaica again and came back with....Jack

-Andrew's Grandmother passed away

-Our son was born in November

-Andrew got another promotion and nice raise

- Went on a family trip to Galveston, and Andrew and I went to Upstate NY, and CT for Nick and Cece's wedding

-Planned another trip to Jamaica for April 2010.

- Rang in the new decade

- Celebrated our 5th anniversary on March 5, 2010!

In the past five years we have bought our first house, two cars, moved across the country twice, traveled both domestically and internationally, welcomed two kids, I quit my job to stay at home, Andrew has moved up amazingly in his company, we have loved, l0ved and loved some more. We have learned to be a married couple, parents, and friends. We have fought, made up and learned new ways to communicate. Overall the past five years have been the best of our lives, we don't find marriage hard and enjoy each other 99% of the time:) I am so looking forward to the next 5 years and can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

2005-Our Honeymoon-St Lucia