Beach Bums

We headed back to Nana and Rich's beach house a couple of weekends ago, and this time Steve and James joined us.  All of the kids loved the hot tub in the house...

If only everyone was as thrilled about the beach as they were the hot tub.  Rich, Katie, Vanesa, James, and Charlotte really enjoy it.  The rest of us are kind of meh about it.  Personally, I have tons of fun for about 42 minutes, and then I'm ready to pack up and head back.  Of course I push through until the kids are ready to go, though;)

Ready for our first family beach day of 2013...

The Brooks boys...

As you can see, James and I tried to get lots of shots of the baby while Hunter and Charlotte played.

 

Hunter loved to jump the waves and find mussels.  He especially loved finding the "big" ones...

Grey was pretty easy-going at the beach.  He didn't mind the sand or water at all, and actually fell asleep in our arms several times...

Charlotte's favorites were playing with Rich in the water or collecting mussels with Hunter...

We flew a kite, but I think I was the only one that was really into it:)

Who has time for kites, when there are waves to splash in?!?

Digging their fit into the sand...

Building a sand castle with Rich...

Grey spent lots of time chillin' in the tent...

Horseshoes!

Ready for day 2!

I wanted a picture of all of our footprints with Brooks 2013 above it, but I couldn't find a stick and the kids weren't thrilled with waiting for me to put their feet in the perfect spot.  So this is the end result...

Hunter was super excited to find this huge mussel...

I don't love this picture of me, but the sunset was beautiful this night while we were roasting s'mores...

Day 3!

Last day to jump the waves...

Goofy girl...

I love this...

Our lens fogged over, but at least we attempted a family photo...

Grey had his moments, but overall was much happier on the drive home this trip...

I'm sure we'll make many memories at that beach.  We're so thankful to Nana and Rich that we are able to have free family trips there!

4th of July

July 4th is always kind of crazy for us because of my birthday and Dee's birthday, but we sure do have fun with all of the celebrating!  We went to my dad's annual Independence Day party again this year.  Since he's getting married tomorrow, he'll be moving, so  this will be our last year to have it here...

Vanesa is such a great help with Grey.

The kids did all of the usual things...

 Swim!

Ride the four wheeler with Grandpa...

and the tractor...

Grey didn't get to do those fun things, but he had fun chilling in the shade with us girls...

 

We've never stayed for fireworks before, because I usually have to work the next day, but this year we were able to...

Classic Charlotte holding her ears:)...

 

We had a great day with family.  Happy (seriously belated) Birthday, America!!

Water Babies

This week was filled with more water fun!  After a failed berry picking outing, we headed to the spray park in Frisco with Trish and Lisa and their kiddos on Monday.  Hunter and Charlotte headed for the water while the rest of us ate, so of course by the time we were ready for the water, they were over it.  They said they were cold (if you can believe that...it was a high of 89 that day, which is crazy on July 1st in Texas!).  So sweet Hunter helped his little sister dry off...

Grey just chilled in my arms as usual...

A rare family shot (without daddy)...

After that we took Harper and headed over to the park across from the spray area...

It was a special needs park and really cool to check out.  The kids loved it.

 

Then today, we headed to Hawaiian Falls with Aunt Mel, Uncle Bob, Brooke, and Carson.  Grey slept for most of the day, but we got this one shot before he fell asleep...

The boys...

Us girls...

 

This was at the end of the day, and as you can see, Char was needing her nap.  We had fun, but we were exhausted when we got home.  Thankfully, James let me take a nap after we got home and washed off and put the kids down.  I literally felt like I had just run a marathon.  Grey not sleeping the night before paired with the draining sun, sucked all of the energy out of me!

We're loving this summer!  Next week, it's back to the beach...can't wait!

Play Ball!

I almost titled this post America's Team.  Seriously.  I'm that tired. 

 

Hunter had his last Rangers (which is not America's team...or even the right sport) game last Saturday morning.  He had fun playing with his friends, but he's leaning toward not playing in the fall.  We're still working on trying to persuade him:).

 

There were 4 other boys from Hunter's class that played on the Rangers with him.  Their amazing teacher, Mrs. Stapp, came to watch all of them play one of their games before school ended...

Charlotte spent most of the games walking around or snacking...

Waiting to bat...

Batting...

 How cute is that?!

First base...

Second base...

Third base...

Running home...

After the game, the boys got donuts and juice for their snack (it was an 8am game), and then we all went to Braum's for the end of year celebration.  So in a 15 minute time period, they had donuts, juice, and ice cream.  Sugar. High.

Hunter, Kevin, and Riley (all buds from school)...

They were so excited about their trophies...

And one with Coach John...

We had fun cheering on the Rangers this season!  Hopefully we'll be there to cheer them on again in the fall:)