Art Musuem

We went to the Museum of Fine Art with our friends, Charlie and Bailey. Free on Thursdays!

These are the only pictures we could take for two reasons....

1. You can take photos in much of the museum.

2. Have you ever taken a group of young children somewhere where they couldn't touch ANYTHING? Your hands are pretty busy.

Actually they had craft time and it was really great!! A real craft that they linked to a piece of art. Not just a coloring page with glitter. There are three more times left this summer. It has been every Thursday all summer and we've just figured this out!! I've already marked our calendars for next summer.

Waterpark!!!

This is the first time I've taken pictures at our pool this year. We've really enjoyed not having to have the boys in floaties! They can touch in the majority of the pool and they are really good swimmers!

Floating on our backs!

Quinn doing the tornado!

Reid doing the tornado!

Quinn's & Reid's Stories

Quinn has turned into quite the story teller. Here is the story he told me this morning!

The Adventure of the Cave

By Quinn Mickle

When we were at our house we were there and Reid was there. Then we went to GB and Grandpa’s house. At GB and Grandpa’s house there was a cave. Reid and Quinn dressed up like Batman. We swung to the top of the house and we got down to the ground. And then we swing through the rope and went up the steps and saw the jewels they were on the black table. They looked like gold when you were close up to them. They were navy and khaki and gold. They looked pretty. We played with the jewels and tried not to break the jewels because the jewels were glass. Then we went to the cave that was by GB and Grandpa’s house. The cave was dark and there were birds in the cave. We went into the cave and we saw jewels in the cave too.

Then we ran back down the stairs. And we threw the rope, got on top the roof of the house and we jumped on the ground and Grandpa said, “Who wants some pancakes?” And we said, “We do!” Then we ate some pancakes.

Blast, the Dragon

By Reid Mickle

Once upon a time there was a princess that wanted a beautiful castle. Her name was Sarah. She called out, “Reid and Quinn Builders and Julien and Gabriel workers” They were building a castle for the Princess Sarah to live in. Inside it had lots of yummy food and lots and lots of pictures of Princess Sarah. They took a break and ate lunch.

They haven’t brought in electricity so they took out their dinner and ate it outside because there were no lights.

There was a Dragon named Blast. He was a nice dragon and sometimes he would take his claws and open up buildings. Sometimes he does mistakes like that, but not this time. This time he smelled the food and he walked and walked until he came to the people. They told him to look up and he saw the castle. Then instead of opening it up he took some bricks and built the castle as fast as he could until a mean dragon came. He looked all red. The mean dragon blew fire at the nice dragon. And the nice dragon blew fire on top of his head. Then the bad dragon fell down to the ground because he was dead. Blast flew and got Princess Sarah and flew her to the castle and the castle was done. She was so happy. They all took their dinner inside and there was electricity. The dragon had gotten it for them.

The End.

At the moment everyone is illustrating their books!

Vacation in San Antonio

We went to San Antonio for a long weekend. We started off at Cindy and Dennis' house. So much fun! The hurricane had just hit in South Texas, so there was quite a bit of rain. However, the boys got to swim every day! Poor Matt got in the pool with the boys and it was pretty cool. Dennis put on the hot tub and we all swam in there the second day.

Cindy got the boys Transformers for their early birthday. They couldn't be more thrilled. In fact, they are holding them as I type this! We are all in a learning curve to transform them. Note...if it says 5+ years it really means 45+ years + 4 degrees!

We love going to visit and the boys are already asking when we are going back. It is so cute, Cindy and Dennis are the same way with the boys as they were with Suzanne and I as kids. I watch them with the kids and it takes me back to my own childhood.

We got to talk with Amanda while we were there and she is only a few weeks from delivering! We can't wait to see that baby!

Kristen was in Bali on a friend's boat for two weeks! Looking forward to those pictures, too!!

Dennis is so strong!

After we left Cindy and Dennis' we headed to Artie and Sandy's Lakehouse just outside San Antonio. We really got lucky with the weather. It was sunny and cloudy off and on all weekend, so it felt pretty good.

We got to see Kai and Elena. It has been a long time since we've seen them. Kai is so tall. He turned 6 this past weekend. The boys had so much fun with the "big kids"!

The boys with Kai.

This was so funny...Artie caught a little perch in the lake and brought it up to show the kids. Then he threw it in the pool. Everyone hopped out except Reid. He put his head in the water to get a better look.

The lake house was always fun, but now they put in an above ground pool and now it is super fun for the kids!

This is Christophe, Stephanie, Sonnie (Sandy's niece) and Alexine and Sonnie's daughter. They are coming back from feeding the horses. Last year Steph and Christophe got the girls horses. They are really into riding. In fact, while they were taking lessons a few years back, they would go twice a week and clean the stalls just to get free riding lessons. Now, that is dedication. It hasn't worn off either, they take great care of the horses and are really good riders. This is a big decision because horses live past 30 years. They've sold their house and are going to build on 40 acres of land!

Kai and the boys taking a hike!

Sandbox time! So much to do!

Steph, Sandy, Christophe, and Elena

Matt eating a stuffed jalapeno!

Alexine poured water on Miciaya!

Look at this rainbow!

Reid loved the horses. One of the horses had a little baby, he is so cute!

Stephanie getting the horses to "smile"

Artie pulled out the guitar. Quinn was excited to see that!

Breakfast and music!

They boys got to brush and take care of the horses.

Here the girls are getting the horses ready to ride. They ran them in the field to get out that extra energy. They are such good horses!

Reid is ready to ride!

Look at that grin!

When they were done riding, we asked, "Are you ready to get off?" They wanted to keep going so Steph took them for another walk!
This was the funniest thing. We got Matt on the horse. He wasn't too thrilled...the horse...or Matt. She wouldn't cooperate at all. I guess she knew he had no idea what he was doing. Eventually she started walking!

There were kittens in a barn down the road...

This is Trey and JoAnn's oldest, Alissa, she is quite a gymnist!

Stephanie got lots of fireworks and the kids loved them.

This is Mater!! Trey took the old truck out at Chester's and fixed it up. I can't believe how great it looks!! We use to ride this as kids and it was totally rusted out!! Lots of fun memories with this truck!