Galveston Family Vacation

We had a great time.  It was our First vacation together with our entire Family.  Chuck & I and all 5 kids.
We go there on a Sunday evening and started strong Monday morning.  We went to the beach and came prepared with sand pails, shovels, molds for sand animals,etc.  The kids had a blast!!  Not one of the kids had ever been to the beach before so this was a big treat.  We spent quite awhile at the beach  and then walked back to our beach house...yes it was that close.  We all showered and hung out and then headed off to do Professional Family Pictures on the beach at sunset.  That was a whole other story witihin itself.  Let's just say that even though it was a bit of a beating with sand blowing in our eyes and trying to smile for pics, it all worked out.  We even got stuck in the sand in the car on the beach, but some made it out  thanks to my patient husband.  I wanted to bust out laughing really hard when we were stuck, but I didn't want to make it worse.  I held my breath on that until the van starting moving and then I lost it. 
The next day we took the kids to Kemah Boardwalk.  It's located just 20 miles from downtown Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is home to fabulous waterfront restaurants, amusements, charming retail stores, festivals and seaside shows every day.  My three kids had never ridden roller coasters before and they were all CHAMPS.  They even rode some they probably shouldn't of.  We all almost puked on one that looked like a Sombrero, but luckily we survived.  After that, we walked on over to the Aquarium Restaurant for Dinner.  Super Cool Place.  The kids seemed to really enjoy it.  After that we went down to feed the Sting Rays.  Also very cool and something none of them had done before.
By the time we got back to the house that night everyone was whipped, but we still made time to take them all to the beach.  We realized it was better to take them at like 7pm and stay until 9.  It wasn't too hot and no one could get sunburned.  The kids played in the sand, building sand castles, digging water pits, searching for sea shells, and two of them got completely buried in the sand, except their head of course.  I think we did everything you can do while you're at the beach.  We tried to different days to go crabbing.  It didn't work the way it was supposed too, but in the long run, Maya and I ended up catching 20 Hermit crabs.  Not exactly the yummy Blue crab you can eat, but we had a blast and that's all that matters. 
We also enjoyed the Beach Club Resort that was on the property.  They had a gorgeous infinity pool with hot tub, ping pong tables, cabanas,  and restaurant.  We spent a few days there as well, but always made sure to squeeze in some beach time too. 
The house was perfect for our family too.  It couldn't have worked out any better.  The best part, is that Chuck and I had a private balcony off of our bedroom.  When the kids went to bed at night, we would spend hours just sitting out there enjoying the awesome breeze, adult beverages and each other's company.

All in all it was a great 1st Family Vacation.  I think everyone had a great time.
Pictures will follow.  Believe me, there are plenty. :)

Swimming Pool from Hell

I thought it would be a fantastic idea to buy one of those big above ground pools for our family for the summer.  It's a Intex Easy Set Pool.  In my mind I thought we would have it all set up the weekend I bought it.  Like I said, that was in my whacked out mind.  My poor husband got a huge job thrown at him and he has worked day and night for a month trying to level the back yard just to put the pool down.  First he had to kill off all of the grass where the pool is going to go.  We've heard too many people say that they had grass grow up through the bottom of the pool.  So, he killed the grass, dug up the yard which is a 18 X 18 section, leveled it with dirt and sand and after all of the hard work in 100 temperatures, the leveling was finished last night.  I'd also like to give a BIG shout out to our great friend Steve for helping Chuck with this massive project.   Tonight the plan is to lay the tarps and assemble the pool.  Next Mission...SWIM.

More Pics to Come. :))

Pictures in the Bluebonnets

A Little Behind

Ok, I have been horrible about getting on here an updating what's going on in our world.  Let me think back 6 months.  Emma played soccer for the first time and loved it.  She was actually pretty good too.  Luke played Spring Football  with the Longhorns and unfortunately, they lost every game except the last one.  I blame that on the coach.  Let's just say Luke won't be playing for him again.  Michael just finished 4th grade and I can't believe my baby boy will be a 5th grader in the Fall.  Where has the time gone?  Luke & Emma will start Kinder in the Fall as well.
Maya is in competitive Cheer and her team is Awesome!!  They won numerous competitions this year and we are so proud of her.  She made honor roll again and continues to do excellent in her school work.  Little Anya started Kinder this year and absolutely loved it.  She takes Tae Kwon Do with her sister and is now a Orange belt.  She also takes gymnastics as well.  Between Chuck's girls and my kids, we are constantly going. 
The summer will be a nice break because no one is playing any sports. 

The big project of the summer is putting in an above ground pool.  I thought it would be great for our family this summer.  Little did I know what a pain in the butt it would be.  The ground looked pretty level to me, but boy was I wrong.  Chuck has spent the last three weeks busting his hump day in and day out in 100 degree temps to get this done.  He is AWESOME!!!  It's almost complete and I can only imagine how much fun we will all have.  Thank you for all of your hard work babe.  We appreciate you sooo much.

Last on the list, we are going on our 1st Family vacation in August.  Chuck and I are taking all 5 kids to the beach (Galveston) for a week.  We've rented a house on the beach and are really excited.  
Here are some pics of where we are staying.

Stunning Beachside 4b/4b House, Resort, Pool + More Must See!! Pointe West, Galveston, Texas

Happy Halloween 2010

We had a blast on Halloween.  Everyone gets into it and dresses up so it's makes it that much more fun for the kids.  This year Michael was the Joker, Luke was Robin, and Emma was Dorothy.  I dressed up as a clown and my Mom dressed as a witch and my sis was a German Beer maid and my Dada was a Cubs baseball player.  We made our rounds in mom & dad's neighborhood and loaded up on candy.

Chuck went to go trick or treat with his girls and i have to say his costume, time and effort Won the Best costume award by far.  Anya was going as Princess Peach from Mario Brothers and wanted her Daddy to be Bowser.  A Bowser costume was no where to be found, so he made one.  He worked so hard on it and in the end, made his little Anya so happy.  Way to go Daddy, you did a great job!!

Christmas Pics...just because

Every year I try to get pics of my kids for Christmas, versus taking them somewhere and paying and arm and a leg for them.  I try to get a good one and put them on the Christmas card.  This year we did a picture of all 5 kids and I must say it came out pretty awesome.  Chuck and I were pretty excited.  I came up with the idea and he made everything look good.  It's all about the team work.   Go team Jones!!!
Anyway, these are just a few random shots of my kiddos.  As Michael used to say in Kindergarten....You get what you get and you don't throw a fit. Enjoy!!!

Fall Pics of the Kids