Spring Break 2016

My sister, Kelsey, and her kiddos spent Spring Break with us.  My kiddos knew they were coming, but not which day.  So when they arrived home from school on Friday to see their cousins....worth all the fibbing!  That meant there were eight kids in the house for a week.  It was full, loud, and lots of fun!  These sweet kids are the best of friends and so very much enjoy every moment they are together.  Hellos are the best and good-byes are the worst.

Except Jack, all lined up in age order.  Yes, my kid are tall and Kelsey's kids are short.  Jack, Emma, Maya, Jonah, Hanna, Samuel, Leah, and Elena

We did not do anything overly exciting.  Eight kids is a lot to get places especially with Jack just being 18 months old.  We went to parks, played lots at the house, had a movie day, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  Our big adventures were to the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park, and two Rice baseball games.

We went to the tire park (Jerry Matheson Park) in Tomball.  We also did a little antique shopping that day too.  It was such fun.  We also visited the park at Mercer Arboretum.  It was really hot that day so we didn't stay too long.  The kids washed the cars that afternoon as a way to stay cool!

The Zoo was awesome.  Despite being Spring Break it wasn't too crowded and we saw lots of awake animals!  Seeing an elephant show was probably the highlight of the day for the kids.

Finally, I was able to find a small bluebonnet field nearby so Kelsey could get her first ever bluebonnet pictures.

July is going to seem like a long time until we spend time together again!

Our first time visitors

Last week my sister Kristin and her family came to visit us.  Kristin had been to Texas before, but it had been ages.  Her hubbie and sweet Owen were first time Texas visitors.  As has been normal for our spring, it rained for too much of their visit.  When it was not raining we made the best of our time.

Owen is almost two and just so cute.  He thought our backyard was a park.  I guess to his little eyes our playset and trampoline count as a park.  He spent most of Wednesday trying out all our yard toys and the kids inside toys.  He was fun to watch.  Joe is a diehard Cowboys fan so I offered this hat to Owen!

Thursday it was sunny in the morning so we went to one of our favorite parks.  Elena loved having someone to play with and guide here and there.  She was a little tour guide and momma all in one!

Kristin, Owen, and Joe

"fishing"

Friday we lucked out with the rain again during the day.  Off to the zoo we went with a quick driving tour of some of Houston.  This was Owen's first trip to a zoo and he had a blast.  His little legs never seemed to get tired.  Kristin and Joe also experienced the joy of Houston traffic and both decided small town living was for them!

It was a tiring three hours looking at animals and playing.  So at baseball that night Owen needed a little nap.  Unfortunately he did not miss much because Samuel's game was called in the 3rd inning because of lighting.    Saturday's game was cancelled because the fields were too wet to play.  Bummer!  Kristin was happy she saw Samuel get a hit at his only at-bat.

Before the rain came on Saturday night we introduced Kristin, Joe, and Owen to Texas BBQ.  So good....

Then we shared one of our family's favorite activities with them at Rice Baseball.  The kids played with Owen on the hill and kept him plenty entertained for the game. 

Everyone was super sad for Sunday morning to arrive.  Kristin, Joe, and Owen had to leave super early and the kids definitely missed their playmate.  We can't wait until August!!