Fernandez & my Snug-a-Boo

Yay-Cousins are Here-jump for joy!

So happy they could make it work to come see us on their spring break Cruise out of Port Galveston.

When these kids see a pool, there is no holding them back!

 Commencing the 2022 pool season!

What a blessing this daughter of mine is! I will enjoy my time with her to the fullest.

Abilene State Park & Shockey Stables

We stuffed the car and top to bottom for a 5.5 hour trip west to Abilene for Spring Break.

We could explore the ravine behind our campsite

and drive over to Lake Abilene for a pretty sunset.

 

We hiked to the park pool (built by Civilian Conservation Corps) and Abby carried Ruby and jumped, much to our amazement, over the puddle. Yay!

Our campsite was great for playing bocce ball and wicker toss. We also got a lot of Sushi Go! and Pr Bahn's card game in!

The wind was too strong for kayaking or horseback riding for a few days, so we ventured out and discovered the cutest coffeehouse in Tuscola.

The next day we ventured out and discovered Abiline, "Storybook Capital of America"!

It's an art friendly community with sculpture gardens, festivals, murals and museums.

On our way back home, we got our special occasion ride:

It was great to get some instruction and feel like we had control over our horses!

The lady took fun pictures for us.

We went on the trail and got to mess around on the "playground" and "booty bump" in the shelter. 

Live Carousel

We enjoyed discovering the Dusty Plains of West Texas!

Happy 10th Birthday Abby!

Welcome to the Double Digit Club, Abby!

Yay!

Abby brought 5 friends to the trampoline park.

Molly Kate, Savannah, Tegan, Abby, Brooklyn, Mallory

They had fun doing all the things that were offered, even funnel cake fries.

The cool thing about the climbing area is our whole group got to climb together at the same time!

After our 30 minutes of climbing, the zip flyer was open, so we had to do that before we left!

heading out...

for a speed party at home before parents pick up.

today... we have LOVED you for 10 YEARS (120 months) THAT IS 521 WEEKS, which equals 3650 days (and nights) -OR- 87,600 hours, which is: 5 MILLION two hundred and fifty six thousand minutes... and Counting... 

Happy Birthday Abigail! Love, Mom & Dad

Cookin’ With Kim

 Since Lydia has been showing an interest in cooking, for part of her birthday gift, we took a cooking class together! The menu we created was homemade pasta noodles with fresh tomato basil sauce, caesar salad & warm ciabatta bread.

cracking eggs right onto the table

Ready, set, mix & knead for 15 minutes!

Punching and kneading... learning the effort involved in getting food on the table!

Then the fun part of using an old pasta machine! We got a demonstration and then quickly got the hang of working together... one person feeds and cranks, other catches... teamwork!

Our beautiful pasta nests...

ta-da!

On to caesar salad and working on knife skills with anchovie. (The homemade croutons were divine!)

It was a special time making super yummy pasta the old fashioned way! We won't soon forget the teamwork on the pasta maker and Lydia definitely gained an appreciation for getting dinner on the table. 

Happy 12th Birthday Lydia

This is 12.

A kid rapidly approaching her teen years with all the pressures,

but still very much a kid and a very special member of this family. ❤️

Party Time...

For her party she brought 4 friends to UrbanAir trampoline park!

Megan, Elena, Lydia, Addison, Kenzie

They have a lot of fun together!

Lydia & Abby worked hard to put together this fun table and chandelier tassels!

Happy Birthday to Lydia! 

A chocolate layer cake from HEB, was her choice.

Lydia, you are a thoughtful, fun and supportive friend and sister, a beautiful and loving daughter, an energetic, earnest and diligent student, and we're infinitely proud to be your parents.

Downtown Aquarium/Happy Birthday Ben

After 2.5 years, we finally made it to Houston's Downtown Aquarium.

It was full of interesting fish, 

 

tree frogs, an axolotl, funny fish spitting pebbles,

and even tigers, go figure.

Outside, it's a carnival feel with rides (big drop, Ferris wheels) games, bubbles, and a train ride to the shark tunnel.

the big Ferris wheel was fun!

On the 2nd floor, there's an aquarium restaurant. We had delicious food and sang happy birthday...

 

Happy Birthday! We love you to the bottom of the deep blue sea & back!!