Trip to Dallas

We packed our bags for a 2 week trip to Dallas (with a side trip to Oklahoma City) to see friends and family and to allow Nick to complete his contract on his project in Dallas. Being away from home is always hard, especially with kids, but we had a great time and did a lot of fun things during our visit.

My dad took Matt to the pond across from their house and introduced him to fishing.

Matt took to it well. They didn't stay long enough to catch anything, but Matt played the part well.

While the big boys fished, Jonathan played on a big rock with Granny.

He kept her busy, going up and down repeatedly!

We went to the neighborhood park one morning and Jonathan kept Grandpa busy on the steps. He went up and down and wouldn't be sidetracked by anything.

Then, he got hungry! We were able to give Grandpa a break with a snack for the boys.

My big rascal! His forced smile for the camera still cracks me up!

Jonathan needed a change of scenery to finish his snack.

Matt was able to pick a couple of things in Granny and Grandpa's garden as well as play around with so many fun things in the backyard.

Here's a goofball for you!

We went to the neighborhood pool a few times during our visit. Jonathan and Grandpa had a little time together in the big pool.

My little rascal gives Grandpa his best.

Everything is easier when you use your tongue to help! He takes after his brother on that one.

Before we left for Oklahoma I was able to meet up with an old friend I had known since elementary school. Alissa and I took our kids to the mall for some play time. We had our oldest kids take our pictures together. This was Matt's best attempt. When he is able to stop moving while taking pictures, I think he may prove to be a good photographer!

Backyard Fun!

I uploaded these pictures before we went on our 2 week vacation with the intention of completing the post while out of town. That didn't work out, so here I am on June 18th, finishing the post I started on June 5th!

Although it's a lot of work right now to play out back, we love seeing the boys so excited. Jonathan has recently learned to climb up the ladder of the play structure, so he needs someone standing by at every step. He tends to slip on the top on if it slips on any steps! The pool is a whole other monster. The heat also minimizes our desires to play outside on a whim. All that being said, when Nick and I are at our best, we have a blast outside with the boys!

We got out the sprinkler ball and introduced it to the boys.

Jonathan thought it was great at first!

Then, Jonathan found out there was water coming out of it and he wasn't quite sure what to do, so he froze!

I had to run him through the sprinkler a few times so he understood that he could get wet and then run out of the water. He kept standing in the spray, throwing his hands up and screaming!

Here's a view of the yard from the back fence. Look in the distance and you can see Nick's palapa (man room)!

Matt would go up and down the play ground all day long if we let him, with a pit stop at the swings on occasion.

Time to get back on the ladder!

This is from the top of the play structure, with a better view of the palapa and pool.

Here I am, close behind Jonathan, who tends to get distracted by something right when he hits the top step of the ladder.

He was still learning how to get his feet out before trying to slide!

This scene is a great one! I believe it was about 8:30 or 9 am and Matt was emphatically (and LOUDLY) telling me something very important. Notice the "shhhhhhh" coming from me! It's a constant battle of volume with Matt!

Jonathan sliding all by himself!

Getting ready to slide down!

Climbing back up for more.

He learned he went a little faster if he let go. Sometimes it takes him by surprise though!

Matt thought it would be fun to push the beach ball up the slide.

Matt was waiting down at the bottom with the beach ball!

CRASH!

I wish the beach ball was a bit smaller in this picture. I love the shot of the three of them on the slide!

A little pool time after all that time on the playground. Matt took a break for some Handy Manny time instead.

Jonathan joined him, pointing at the tv for something.

Time for lunch, and a big strawberry to start it all off!

Can't stop watching the tv, but have to eat that strawberry!

Matt made one big bite of it!

A mouth full of strawberry!

Nick took this one from the palapa looking toward the playground. It looks so serene when there are no children at play!

Houston Zoo Visit

On Saturday we made a morning trip to the Houston Zoo. I had invested in a membership shortly after we moved back, but we had not made it up there to enjoy the benefits until now! Matt is still hit or miss on the whole animal experience. He loves the water, the playground, and of course the snacks. The animals are near the bottom of his list right now. Hopefully that will change as we go through this year of membership, or it may be a lot of boring trips to the zoo!

We stopped in the aquarium first because it was a bit hot that morning! He insisted on wearing his SC hat, and wearing it backwards for most of the day.

Doesn't he look so happy to be there at this moment?

A hint of a smile comes about as he points to a fish.

They are getting a little more interested now.

There must have been a big colorful fish or two swimming by because even Jonathan got involved for this shot!

Matt seemed to enjoy anything that involved my getting coins out of my wallet. No worries, it's for donations, but sure would be nice if he enjoyed the animals, right? He fed the bird some money and was quite excited and proud of himself.

These are the days when Matt can shove Jonathan out of the way, but pretty soon, we think Jonathan will start shoving back!

Jonathan almost ended up on the turf after that move by Matt. See the look of warning in Nick's eyes. Good thing I haven't ventured to a playground with these two by myself recently. I can barely keep up with them on our playground in the backyard, and there are no other children there!

Jonathan recently learned that he could slide all by himself and enjoy it too!

Such excitement for something so simple!

Time for my bad photography on the carousel:

I tried so hard to capture them and ended up with a few good, blurry ones. I kick myself because this is the first time Matt cooperated and actually looked, smiled and waved at me as he went by every turn.

Jonathan and I await another rotation of the carousel.

Light bulb out or something, guys? They are two peas in a pod sometimes!

I caught a wave and a smile!

One of my favorites, even with the blurriness.

The hat got a bit crooked as the ride went on.

So happy to have left the playground and to be looking at large animals laying in the sun. Good times!

Jonathan examines the elephants.

We had a good morning with only a bit of whining on Matt's part. He'll get there, soon I hope! The plan next time is to start at the elephants and end at the playground so he's not whining at the end of it all! Well, at least not until we say it's time to go. At least there's a train we could ride that's out by the parking lot. There's a bit of motivation to leave the playground.