Sunday, October 22, 2023

End of School and Summer

 It's Easter time --that means egg dying time at our house.

We loved going to my cousin Tina's house out near Brenham for our annual family reunion and Easter egg hunt.





I love my stair steps.

Future astronaut Annie.
A beautiful carrot fresh from the garden. I've been loving pulling these out of the garden every day for my fresh fruit and veggie smoothies.
The three younger kids are not shy and all three got picked to join in a play about the great state of Texas. 


Annie, Peter and Sarah all participated in the Reading Buddies program at the library. I'm so glad all of my kids love to read! --I guess considering who their parents are, they just can't help it. 
We found a natural swing made out of a grape vine on a nature walk.
Our beautiful youth group on a temple trip.
Ada rocking the stage for another DPAC performance.
Sarah and Joseph joined the DPAC band and are loving it. Sarah on guitar, Joseph on percussion.
We dismantled our large fire ring to make room for the big trampoline, but we're making due with bullet stove.
Annie really wanted a pinata for her birthday, so I suggested we make one ourselves. It turned out great, though the process is a little messy.





Love these cool girls!
Jojo built the tallest lego tower ever.

Nana's birthday party in June. 

On a recent visit to San Antonio, we stopped by the temple where Matt and I were married.
Look at the difference 16 years made. 



For Ada's 12-year-old Special trip, we rented a beach house for a week. Ada and I spent several days on our own, then the rest of the family joined us. It was beautiful. The beaches were clean and we found so many beautiful shells and a nesting site for roseate spoonbills.



This girl has a knack for finding money wherever she goes. Ada found a dollar bill and a sand dollar on a walk along the beach.
We took the ferry to see all the dolphins,
toured the Bishop's Palace,

and visited Moody Gardens.


Yes, we really did make it all the way to the top of the ropes course.
















On the way home, I stopped by our old house in Rosharon where I was born.


Fourth of July





and Ada's 12th birthday.




Butterfly house


Don't mess with this cowboy!

Peter made a friend! This little grasshopper really liked him and didn't want to jump off.

Another tip to Missouri.







We finally ventured out a bit and discovered some new places to play. The first was Sycamore Access right next to Hodgson Water Mill.
The water coming out of the mill is icy cold and perfectly clear.



Vera Cruz Access was next and equally beautiful.



One last beach trip before school started...




And Popie had his 75 birthday!  All the siblings pitched in and bought him a riding lawn mower. It was quite a surprise.