Daddy's new bike!

 Keri got a bike, now family bike rides are our favorite new evening activity!

Family Fun at the Park

Sunday we visited a park right by Doak's new school. The whole family enjoyed relaxing together and just having some fun outside! The kids enjoy exploring in the woods even more than they enjoy the playground! Big boy Brock loves to try to do everything that the big kids do. Doak was in his element climbing on the rock wall (in boots!) Addie has always loved to swing. She spent about 20 minutes floating back and forth and she told me she was 'sleep swinging' Brock had some fun swinging too Brock wanted to go down the twisty slide and Keri and I took turns going with him. After a few minutes Doak started helping him up to the slide, then Doak would run down the stairs to catch him at the bottom. Love these boys!!! Addie is so kind and loving with Brock. She led him down the path to look at the fish and turtles in the pond. It felt so peaceful to see Keri, Addie, and Doak just sitting by the pond watching the water. I'm so blessed by my sweet family and days just like this!

A Day at the Beach

One thing that really got the kids excited about our move to Houston was our proximity to the beach. None of the kids had ever seen the ocean before so we knew we needed to make a trip in the first few weeks we lived here.



Saturday morning we told the kids about our plans and they couldn't wait to get going!



After a quick stop for donuts at Shipley's we set out for the beach. On the recommendation of a friend we chose Stewart's Beach on Galveston Island.



I love this picture! Keri and Addie were two peas in a pod-they both loved jumping into the waves and neither one took a break from the water the whole time we were there.



Brock was very unsure of the water and sand at first but he warmed up to it after about an hour. Then he kept signing 'more'!

Please insert a picture of Doak here. I know I took one but I guess in the bright sunlight I didn't press the button quite hard enough and didn't notice until we left! I'll get one next time! Doak also took a while to warm up but soon he was out in the waves with Addie and Keri!



The kids were exhausted after a fun morning at the beach. We stopped at Cracker Barrell on the way home for a late lunch and we all ate so much, especially Doak! It was a super fun family day and we can't wait to go back!

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The Great Outdoors

To say we've been outside a lot lately would be a big understatement. We love the active lifestyle here and spend the majority of the day in the great outdoors. The butterflies are beautiful, but



The geckos are creepy! There is one that loves my bathroom window. I don't really enjoy seeing a gecko first thing in the morning, but I'm getting used to it!



There is a pond just down the street that we visit at least once or twice a day. It's on our walk to pick up Addie from school. The kids all love the ducks!



Brock starts saying 'what's that' or 'tweet tweet' the moment the pond is in view.



And we're back to geckos :( this little one hitched a ride on my windshield and held on for over a mile. Didn't make me a safe driver!



I believe this was a snail the kids found walking home from Addie's school.



Addie, Brock, and I took a little ride to the next neighborhood's park. We had the best time exploring and finding another great park to visit.



Addie posing with some bluebonnets on the ride.



Look, wild berries!



We are loving the deck out back.



This is my view most days :)



Another visit to the duck pond



Look a caterpillar!



Brock watching the ducks



Addie found a blue jay feather



Another gecko!

We are loving life outside!

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Christmas 2011 Part 3: Christmas in the Country

December 27th took us out to the country to visit Keri's dad and Ms. Kathy. Keri's dad recently finished building a house/cabin out on his land and it was the perfect place to get together to celebrate Christmas.



Grandad and Ms. Kathy were so generous and the kids received some great gifts!



Brock loved sitting with Ms. Kathy!



The kids turned into explorers, using their new digital cameras to take photographs around Grandad's farm.



Grandad got all the kids camo shirts. I love this picture!



We had a fun, non-traditional meal: a shrimp boil! The guys were waiting for water to boil!



Brock was in heaven. He crawled all over Grandad's porch and was so happy to be outside.



I love spending time with Amy



The kids (especially Brock) got so dirty playing outside. But isn't that what childhood is all about!?



We ended the day perfectly with a ride on Grandad's tractor. We're so glad we could spend Christmas with Grandad and Kathy and we're so thankful that Delbert has come back to Texas for good!