Galveston and Mardi Gras

We got to tag along again this year when Tony has a conference in Galveston TX! Galveston is our closest beach and we jumped at the opportunity. We drive down, five hours (or 6 when you make four stops), car packed to the gills with all the essentials...bathing suits, swimmies, buckets, shovels, cooler and toys. And enough clothes to change several times a day(some of us have a hard time not getting sandy and wet). When we got there we discovered that we were going to be there during their Mardi Gras celebration, and would be able to go to the parade. This was Ellie and Matthew's first parade and once they figured out that they would get beads and candy thrown to (or at) them if they smiled and waved, they turned on the charm! You have GOT to see Ellie's adorable dancing at the parade...




I couldn't resist taking over a hundred pictures of our kids enjoying the beach. There is just something about beach pictures. Here are a few...





And the rest of the time, we ate! We found a great place right on the bay where we could sit at a table that overlooked the water. We had our fill of seafood, and butter. In one meal alone Matthew managed to eat a whole pat of butter, and then wash it down with Tony's little pot of melted butter. That's my boy!

The Long TX Winter

I never thought I'd be posting something about a long Texas winter, but wow, it's been cold, snowy, icing, and downright nasty here for the last few weeks. We've had snow three or four times this year. As always, the kids think it's great fun, want to get all bundled up, and love it...for...about...two minutes. Then they are back inside. Here is the loving it part....


In an effort to keep busy and warm, we have...

Been to the Science Museum...


Been the the Zoo...

Been to a Princess Party...

Eaten lots of cookies...

Lost our minds a little bit...
And then just in the nick of time, the sun came out, the ice melted, and it was 70 degrees!!! Today we planted our garden with tomatoes, onions, carrots, basil, and peas. We cleaned up the back yard, played on the swing set, and best of all put together a new toy!

This was a craigslist find. I saw it on Amazon and went searching for a better deal. Right away I found one for half price, new, still in the box. It said it takes one hour for two people to put it together. Well, it took two adults and two children five hours...but we were thrilled! It was not 13 degrees out anymore, and it wasn't 102 yet either. What a beautiful day! We (me) are looking forward to outside playing time again. Please keep your fingers crossed for no broken bones or chipped teeth. It looked like a great idea in the picture, and I was sure they were going to love it. They do, it just looks a little dangerous now that it's all put together. All in the name of (outside!) fun! Happy Spring!

p.s. Matthew is fully recovered...phew!