Aunt "see-ya"

A couple weeks ago (has it been that long?) my sister and her daughter came to visit!

Miss Ella and Aunt "see-ya" (most of you may know her as Lisa).

We had a wonderful and relaxingly busy long weekend.  We had plans, but we did them at our leasure which was fantastic.

 We held the baby,

went on a hike. . . . and a nature walk (there is a difference you know)

 (Miss Ella is actually kneeling in this picture)

 Friday we packed a lunch and headed to Guadalupe River State Park.  We almost were rained out, so we ate in the car and sure enough the skies cleared.

We walked along the river throwing rocks and catching sticks.  We would walk a few steps and Rylee would excitedly stop and yell "more water!"  walk a few more steps and in pure shock stop again "more water!"  

 We did have a small casualty.  Rylee tripped and skinned her knees - nothing a "sticker" (aka bandaid) can't fix.

 The water was a bill chilly, but we got used to it, and didn't go in past our ankles.

The shallow water was perfect for Rylee to explore and play.  We'll have to go back soon. 

 The squirls were also a hit.

 Saturday we went to the zoo. Who knew Rylee and Kelsey's first zoo experience would be the same day.

we went inside a butterfly exhibit that was pretty cool. 

(the lady behind Michael is pointing to the butterfly on his head) 

 Michael may have been secretly happy we couldn't all fit in one vehicle. . .  .that's a whole lot of estrogen :)

 The girls  brushing the goats hair,

 followed by the princess pigs (named Ariel, Jasmine, and Fiona)

 Our kind neighbor gave us a few dozen caserones (sp?) for Easter.  Confetti filled eggs are a big tradition around here. . . . you crack them on someone's head (preferably crack them before they hit the head but you know.)

 It was a fun old mess.  Good thing paper is biodegradable

My sister even offered to watch the girls so Michael and I could go out on a date.  A real date, and free baby-sitting? You bet!! It was so wonderful to be able to sit at dinner and quitely eat. . . . then after the check came just sit and talk because we weren't rushed and you know, we could.  We ended the evening watching a perfectly predictable chick flick.

Thanks again for coming!! We love, love, LOVED having you!!

Mustang Island

Friday we took a trip to Mustang Island (Corpus Christi/The Gulf)

Rylee LOVED having Nana ride with us in the car to entertain her.  When the girls weren't napping, most of the drive time (3+ hours each way) was spent having Nana draw on the magna-doodle, of which has now been named "horsie".  Kelsey loved the quickness in getting her binki when she cried.

We drove right onto the beach and pitched our shade tent.

Nana snuggling Kelsey in the shade:

 It took Rylee about an hour to warm up to the feel of the sand and the waves but after a while she realized it was pretty fun afterall.

I drew her name in the sand and here she is attempting her own letters (she actually is pretty good at spotting letters and can *sometimes spell her name)

 Gettin to work with Daddy.  If you thought they were building a sand castle, you would be incorrect.

 They built a sand family: ;)  I kindof love the hair.

 There was lots of sunshine and of course the pesky at times gulf wind - perfect for flying Rylee's new ladybug kite.  The waves were a decent size and we got a couple pretty good rides on the boogie board.

 Rylee learned quickly that it's a bad idea to drop your snacks in the sand.

 Kelsey *hated* the water.  She screamed and started flailing her legs trying to escape the cold.  Sorry little one, I had to. . . . we don't go the beach often and I wanted to be sure she experienced ocean water before she turned 22 (the first time I experinced salt water/an ocean) hehe.

Daddy even remembered to pack the beach-ball. (I kindof love that little beach bum:)

Saturday morning the crew packed up to head home :(  Rylee still wakes up asking "where's megy?" "where Nana go?" "its Poc!" 'Ryan' was a bit more difficult for her to pronounce as it sounds an aweful lot like Rylee and she would get confused. :)

Thanks again for coming to see us, we had a blast!

celebrating & hunting

Since Poc and Nana were coming so close to Rylee's birthday they waited to give her her birthday presents in person.  Saying Rylee loves her stuffed Elmo in an understatement.  Every action takes twice as long now because Elmo has to do it too. Case in point: Elmo has to have his teeth brushed, turn off the light.  Elmo needs his blankie. (she was quite upset to find out Elmo's diaper doesn't come off or need changed like her own), get buckled in the swing, get stories read to him, takes naps.  He obey's the rule of holding hands while we cross the street (to get the mail).  The only difference I see with him and a third child is we can actually leave him in the car while we  go grocery shopping (for now at least, thank heaven).

 We also celebrated Michael's Mothers birthday as well.  We had brunch at another Food Network rated restaurant where we gave her the gift from Michael's siblings. 

I think she liked it (as did a family sitting next to us). Each of her children with their families took a picture holding up a sign that when put together reads "you are loved all around the world"  her 7 children live in 7 different cities in 4 states, and 2 countries.

 Rylee was getting used to playing all day and napping in the car so when we were actually HOME for naptime she refused - screaming for almost 2 hours. I gave in and let her out of her room . . . . . about an hour later she fell asleep in the swing.

 maybe next time she'll remember how painful that was and choose her bed.

 Michael arranged for a pig hunt with a contractor he's worked with that evening.  It was more or less a guided hunt. I stole this picture from Michael's phone, and am assuming it was his view of the property from the blind they were in.

 Michael and his brother in the blind:

I initially assumed it would be a boys only activity, and was surprised that his little sister Megan wanted to go.  Good thing too, becasue she was the ONLY one to shoot a pig!! Go Megan!!

even if it was a baby.

Michael kept saying "Megan killed Wilbur" :) haha. We'll eat him anyway. . . . . at least his hind-quarters.

Japanese Tea Garden

Day 3: Japanese Tea Garden

There is a free garden by our zoo that we checked out one morning.

The garden has a bunch of plants, paths, 

 a waterfall,

 bridges,

 and ponds with lots of big fish.

 Rylee thought the fish were pretty cool.  She even tried to pet one.

 (I believe the last time Michael's parents were visiting we took a very similar picture by another similar yuka plant)

 We took the opportunity while in the area to take Rylee on her first train ride.

I thought the train went IN part of the zoo, it does not - not gonna lie, I was a little dissapointed.  Poc bought Rylee popcorn, so she was pleased.

We had lunch at a featured "Diners, Driv-ins and Dives" restaurant, Taco-Taco:  meh.

Then we turned his family in the direction of El Mercado/Market Square  or as I like to call it "Little Mexico" and headed home.

After dinner we fired up the chiminea and roasted marshmellows and ate smores. 

My bro-in-law had the fantastic suggestion of using a reeses peanut butter cups instead of regular Hershey's chocolate.  me likey the peanut butter.

It was actually a little chilly so we got to pull out a beanie for Kelsey.

 loving the snuggles, confused by the fire.

 Rylee enjoyed the smore, only slightly more than the first time she tasted one.  She much prefered changing seats every five seconds.

Enchanted Rock

As expected when Michael's family was in town we jammed the week full of activities.

First on the agenda (you know, after filling the freezer with leftover rudy's and blue bell ice cream) was Fredericksburg and Enchanted Rock.

Enchanted Rock is a state park about an hour and half away.  Its a giant pink granite rock and its the "second largest exposed underground batholith" (too be honest I don't get how it's considered underground if its not, but whatever).

 We just start walking up the rock.

"come-on Dad, lets GO!!"

 There's puddles of water, patches of grass, and a cave on the way up.

 a drop off to the side

 Rylee did really well, and even walked a fair amount of the way.

She had to get in a better position to look at the map with Daddy.

 Kelsey slep the hike a way, shaded from the cool-ish air and sun.

After our little hike we had lunch in Fredericksburg and walked the shops of main street until they closed . . . . they close early. :)