picture post

I have LOTS of pictures from July that I haven't shared yet.

I am always taking pictures of the kids in their p.j.s- I think they look so cuddly in them.

mmmm blueberry pancakes! Gotta love IHOP.

Popsicles are now his favorite food, we have them nearly every night when we're home!

Some from the 4th of July...

Cousin Ethan (who I think Benjamin resembles) playing in the pouring rain... afterwards it would be bright and sunny again (happened twice)

the girl who did not want her picture taken

Ben reminds me a lot of Paul here-

pictures from a random hot SeaWorld day...

And then some from later that same day...

Ashlyn has taken it upon herself to help Paul with yardwork for the last several weeks. She is dedicated- she stays out there and helps him the ENTIRE time!

from one of our Austin visits... Ashlyn likes to tell people "sometimes we live in a hotel."

They both think it is hysterical to hide in the closet.

In the NEW carseat! He puts his sunglasses on himself...

...and then gets very upset after he throws them down

I still just love that Ashlyn can buckle herself into her carseat!!

Separate occassion- Nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.

why do kids want to be outdoors ALL day? even when it is over 100 degrees out!?

Aunt Kari found a kitten in Grandma's attic

Ashlyn was in heaven... until we had to go home.

But...

when Kari found two more, we had to go back over to Grandma's again. Ashlyn named the light gray one Skittles, Payton named the striped one Nemo, and Ethan named the orange one Garfield.

If anyone want a cute little kitten, let us know!

My vacation at The Phoenician

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I was here at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ with Paul.

He was there for business and I was there for a vacation. The kids stayed in San Antonio with the in-laws so I got to have a lot of time all to myself.

Monday night we gad a leisurely swim after having a fancy dinner.

Tuesday I slept in late. Fortunately my internal clock was still on TX time- Arizona is 2 hours behind so I woke up with the clock reading 7:30am.

I had a quick breakfast with Paul before he headed out to work, afterwards I hit the gym

The fitness center:

It was awesome! I forgot how much fun it was to workout without any time constraints. In the early afternoon I headed to the spa and got the BEST massage I have ever had! If I ever make it back there, I will be sure to have another massage and ask specifically for Dawn.

The Spa:

the rest of the afternoon was spent at the pool. I thought I might be able to nap, but it was too hot even in the shade!

One of the many pools:

This is what we could see as we left our "Casita."

Wednesday was a bittersweet day because we had to leave, but we were ready to see the kids again. We had our breakfast at the 19th hole of the golf course- lovely. We also managed to make it to the gym and the pool before we had to checkout.

The hotel was just GORGEOUS and I hope to make it back there someday! I feel like new person after all that R&R.

Patriotic?

We had a fun 4th of July, we packed a lot of fun into one day. Then this evening at bathtime we were singing USA songs, and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was the only America-themed song that Ashlyn knew well enough to sing along. I know that is sad- we will work on it. Anyway, she has misunderstood a word and it was so funny to me - I like it enough that I may not correct her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jryGajzTYLc