Summer 2016

9 Weeks of PURE BLISS

June- July 2016

This summer seemed so short and quick but we were able to travel and have the trip of a LIFETIME as Chris and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in Alaska and even the kids were able to travel the southern US touring baseball stadiums with Gigi Shirley and Poppy! I have said it each year but the summers just keep getting better and better! We are so lucky and blessed to be able to teach and do what we love and still be able to spend these priceless weeks together as a family. Here is a recap of our summer 2016!

Week 1- June 5th- 11th

Astros Buddy Game- Astros vs Athletic (Astros won 5-2)

This was our 1st of 2 Astros Buddies game and the kids were even able to run the bases after the game! We LOVE baseball and our Astros!

Puppy Store and Woodlands Mall Playground

This became a once a week thing as it was indoors in the AC and the kids just loved the puppy store!

Top Golf and SmashBurger- Luke's Birthday Celebration part 1

Luke wanted to have a birthday weekend like Natalie had last year so we had 3 days of fun activities and he chose to start the weekend at Top Golf. We went early in the morning and we had a great time. We then ventured down the road to try the much talked about and reviewed SmashBurger. We were not impressed and will not go out of our way to eat there again.

Houston Zoo- Luke's Birthday Celebration Part 2

On June 11th we went to the Houston Zoo to celebrate Luke's birthday as it was supposed to rain on Sunday, his actual birthday This was a great trip as we saw the bears eating and walking around as well as the gorillas were play fighting in their cage. It was followed by a trip to our local Chick-fil-A as Luke is really easy to please!

Week 2- June 12th- 18th

Happy 4th Birthday Luke! Sunday, June 12th we celebrated Luke's 4th birthday with Gigi and Grandpa. We began the day with Shipley's donuts and church. We then went to Vero Italian kitchen because he requested pizza and opened gifts. He had a GREAT day and it is so hard to believe he is already 4! Where has the time gone? I love you Lukey!

Good Bye Houston... Hello Seattle

Chris and I flew into Seattle, WA for our Alaskan cruise a few days early to tour this spectactular city as well as Vancouver, BC. It was a marvelous trip. You can read about it HERE!

Week 3- June 19th- 25th

All Aboard the Carnival Legend

Chris and I boarded the beautiful Carnival Legend in Seattle, WA to take the cruise of a lifetime (at least thus far) to Alaska for our 10th Anniversary. It was INCREDIBLE! You can read about it HERE!

Week 4- June 26th- July 2nd

Baseball Bucket List Check- Off- Safeco Field & a Mariners Game

Growing up my family based our vacations off of baseball games and stadiums as my dad had a wish to see a game in EVERY Major League stadium in the US (and Canada) before he died. I have seen ALL of the stadiums except those on the West Coast and Arizona. Chris promised me when we got married he would take me to those satdiums before I died. He took me to Minute Maid Park ( I had only been to the Astrodome) back in 2010 and JFK Stadium to see the Washington Nationals when we traveled to Washington DC in 2007. It has taken him some years but he is fulfilling his promise! Only 6 more to go now!

Week 5- July 3rd to 9th

Let the real Rest and Relaxation Begin

This week we did a lot of catching up with house cleaning and laundry since we were gone the entire month of June but we also did a lot of nothing. I was busy most days writing our Seattle and Alaska blogs (Found HERE). I was reminded just how much I love summer as I sat and pretty much did nothing and whatever I wanted... when I wanted! It was GLORIOUS! 

Week 6- July 10th -16th 

Astros Buddies Game  

We started the week off with a Astros game at Minute Maid park. It was our last buddies game of the season and the kids had a blast. They even got to run the bases again! 

Submerged VBS at Mims Baptist Church 

Natalie was able to go to VBS at our home church everyday and even had a playdate with her bestie. All the while Luke was able to spend quality time alone with mommy, daddy and Gigi Jackie. 

Week 7- July 17th- 23rd

Last Week of "nothing" 

We started the week off with a check-up at Luke's doctor for his 4 year old check-up. He had to have shots but he did very well. Then we went to the church to practice baseball as a family. It was HOT but we all had a blast. We spent time at the movies, the mall and even the park.  

Week 8- July 24th-30th 

We are Family 

Grandma Juanita and Virg (My grandma and the kids GREAT grandma) came to visit at the beginning of the week and John, Leeanna and Madisyn (Chris's brother and family) came to visit as well. 

Happy Birthday Kids 

We ended the week with the much anticipated double birthday party for Natalie and Luke at the splash-pad, iFly and Build-a-Bear. It was a crazy busy week but we loved EVERY minute of it! 

Week 9- July 31- August 6th 

Aunt Sissy time

John and Leeanna took a mini-vacation and left Madisyn with Gigi and Grandpa for a few days so I got to be "Aunt Sissy" and spoil this little angel rotten. We went to the zoo, the mall and did so many fun things. Natalie and Luke LOVED being older siblings! But... There will be NONE of that! 3 kids is HARD... I do not know how some people do that! I mean we went to ZONE DEFENSE instead of MAN-ON-MAN! Chris and I would lose that battle! Thank you Lord for one of each and we will QUIT while we are ahead! 

Girls Weekend in Dallas 

We ended this week with one last HOORAH before the school year started as Natalie and I traveled to Dallas for a girls weekend with my mom and sister! We shopped til we dropped (It was Texas tax-free weekend... it was AWFUL) and had a great weekend of fun-filled memories. 

Back to the old routine... It is time for teachers to report! This summer was the best summer we have had, despite the amazing past few summers! We were able to take the trip of a lifetime and experience God's handiwork in both the Pacific Northwest and Alaska and then spend 5 glorious weeks with our family and friends! This summer was literally shorter than previous years and it went by even faster than usual but I am so grateful we got these 9 weeks! I feel blessed to have been able to spend that time with my family! 

Luke starts Pre-K this year... Wow, where has my baby gone? And Natalie will be entering 2nd grade which is SO hard to believe. Chris will be starting his 6th year of teaching and taking on yet again a full load this school year. I will begin my 12th year of teaching and embark on yet what feels like a brand new journey as my entire administration at my school is brand new and at least 50% of the staff is new to our campus/ teaching! We are anxious and excited to see what 2016-2017 holds! 

Summer 2016 was AMAZING and we cannot wait for Summer 2017! It's been great... let's do this again in 9 months! 

God is good... ALL the time!