Dinos at the zoo!

I've been doing a lot of painting and other house projects this week, so the boys were getting pretty tired of playing around the house.  We decided to remedy this by going to the zoo to see all our faves, plus the new dino area.   

All in all it was a hit with the boys, especially Max.  The dinosaur models moved and made sounds, which he thought was fascinating. 

The T rex was Kyle's favorite, he looked very menacing.   

The last one randomly sprayed water at passersby, so it was Luke's favorite.

We also got to spend some quality time in the children's zoo and the big cat area.  Everyone took really nice, long naps after lunch, and I got the upstairs bathroom painted!  It was much quicker without stopping to occupy the kiddos. 

Fun times

I really like my new camera phone, because I have my camera with me most of the time now.  So I can snap a quick picture when the boys decide to arm themselves with belts and foam swords.  Kyle wouldn't smile because they are about to battle and that is "serious."  They crack me up. 

Anyways, yesterday was a fun day of no school because we were going to Olivia's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  Luke and Kyle have been counting down the days to ChuckECheese day for about a week.  I guess I should take them there more, but then it probably wouldn't seem so special, right? 

They had a great time and completely wore themselves out.  Max is big enough now to chase the big boys around and play in the toddler area.  He had a lot of fun with the Bob the builder "ride" and must have sat in it for 10 minutes straight. 

Happy Birthday Olivia!

She is just so adorable. 

The boys had a fantastic nap afterwards, and I was able to get the downstairs cleaned up and pack a picnic for dinner.  Jeff worked late, so the boys and I had a picnic at the neighborhood splash park.  I love days like this in the summer.  The mosquitoes are even getting a bit better.

Happy Friday to all!

Laundry Robots

I would love a laundry robot.  I wish someone would please invent a machine to sort, wash, dry, fold, and put away clothes.  It would greatly improve my life. 

So far, all I've got is boys pretending to be robots with the laundry baskets. 

Luke the laundry robot.

Max, the laundry pirate.

Kyle's Fencing Camp

Kyle recently learned fencing at a camp in Houston.  He had a great time, but came home exhausted and hungry every day. 

I guess this means I've completely given up on my naive conviction to raise my boys without weapon toys.  We didn't have them when Kyle was little, but he made everything into a sword, bomb, or gun anyways.  I guess it's the testosterone? 

Anyways, Kyle had a fantastic time, and he's obsessed with fencing now. 

Favorite Pictures from May and June

Uncle Andrew got a basketball goal for the boys, and they LOVE it.  It is a lot of fun, and I love that they wear themselves out so fast playing.  We have a lot of fun family time out in the driveway. 

Also in May, I hosted Jodie's baby shower.  It happened to be the day that Alejandro and Wes finally came home from the hospital.  The day was a little hectic for Jodie, but we were all happy to see her. 

Max had fun entertaining all the guests.

The big kids played outside, where they could be more noisy.

Our big event this month was Jeff's graduation from his MBA program.  We were all so proud of him, and so happy that he is done with his degree!!! 

The next day, Jeff and I left for an anniversary cruise,

which was the best Christmas present ever. 

  

While we were gone, the boys stayed with Grams and Grampa.  They had a lot of fun too!

Kyle crossed over to the next cub scout rank, Webelos.

We also had a fun trip to the art museum with baby Evelyn and her mommy.

Luke had fun most of the time, just not at this particular part. 

Our month wouldn't have been complete with out a trip to the zoo. 

Favorite Pictures from April

We usually go to Canyon Lake for Easter with the grandparents, but several of us were sick on Easter this year.  Instead we had a quiet Easter at home and went to visit the next weekend. 

Kyle filled his basket quickly.

Max toddled aound and ignored all the eggs.

Luke was too busy racing Kyle to smile for the camera.

The egg haul

The next weekend, when everyone was healthy again, we headed to the hill country.  Along the way we stopped to take pictures in the beautiful wildflowers.

Silly Boys

Grams with Luke and Max

Grams even had cake for Luke's birthday

The weather was gloomy, so we went bowling in town

It was a fun trip

The boys love to play in the baby pool

Max splashing around

At the zoo again

Favorite Pictures from March

We all spent a day at Hermann Park enjoying the lovely March weather.  Here are some highlights.

Kyle and Luke love to run around on the hill at Miller Outdoor Theater and roll down the hill. 

We went to the butterfly center at HMNS, and saw a lot of beautiful butterflies and bugs.  It is very tropical, so I don't think we're going back until the fall. 

Next, Jeff took Kyle and Luke on a paddleboat ride around the pond.  They went under a bridge and through a huge fountain.  They all had a lot of fun, and Max and I enjoyed watching them from the shade with some lemonade.  

Of course we had to go to the zoo also.  Here's a nice picture of Luke by the entrance.   

In March, Max really improved his walking skills. 

Of course he really loves to smile for the camera too! 

Luke is super silly all the time, and loves anything that rolls. 

Kyle is a great big brother, and loves to hold Max.  Max isn't really allowing this much anymore.  He wants to run around and play! 

Max the copycat

In March, our good friends Cindy and Jason had a baby girl, Evelyn, and I went to visit at the hospital.  She's a cutie! 

Kyle's cub scout den went to visit Ellington Field and learn about the planes and helicopters stationed there.