Brazos Bend

We visited Brazos Bent State Park about 2 years ago in January. We were a bit disappointed with the amount of alligators we saw. So, we read up on it and it says that the best time of year is in the Fall or the Spring. So, we decided to go this past Saturday with the Mackays. Unfortunately the weather had just cooled down the day before. Not sure if that's why we weren't very successful again or maybe we just need to go a different time of the day... But others who have been have told us they see tons of alligators. I believe we saw 6 in the few hours we were there. Oh well! We still enjoyed an afternoon in the great outdoors and spending time with family.

Our first stop was the Nature Center where the girls petted a baby alligator (2 months old):

A picture in the Nature Center:

 

Ian enjoying our hikes, well they were more like walks:

Gator #1:

Gator #2 & #3:

Gator #4:

Gator #5:

And I guess we figured gator #6 wasn't worth turning the camera on for, but we did see one more...

Pictures from a viewing tower:

 

  

The 3 alligator hunters:

Crazy daddies:

Adorable baby boys:

 

Cute kiddos:

Silly Audrey:

One of these times we'll hit the jackpot. Maybe this Spring people need to make the effort to come down and visit. Maybe if we take someone that doesn't live in Texas, the gators will all come out and strut their stuff... :)

Andy's Birthday

We celebrated Andy's 35th birthday on Friday. The girls get into birthdays and holidays like crazy around here. It makes it fun, though! Andy woke up to this banner:

Rachel's drawing of Daddy and her (I love how they are holding hands.):

Audrey's drawing of Daddy and her (and she does know how to spell and write "DAD" all on her own - Rachel spelled "SWEETY" for Audrey while she wrote it):

The girls were very proud of their banner and were very good about keeping it a secret. We worked on it Thursday after school and they didn't say anything to Andy about it that evening. I was impressed! The girls enjoyed Lucky Charms with their daddy. I think that has become a new tradition in our family - Lucky Charms for your birthday breakfast. (I don't usually buy them.)

Once Andy got home from work we went out to dinner to Olive Garden. The girls were thrilled! They love their mac 'n cheese. After dinner we came home and Andy opened up his presents and cards. I was able to grab this cute picture before presents were opened:

 Ian liked the ribbon:

 Andy had plenty of helpers:

 Andy with his ice cream cake:

Trying to blow out the trick candles:

 

Having fun and getting after the trick candles:

We can't forget party hats!

We had so much fun celebrating Andy's birthday. Andy/Daddy brings so much fun to our home. It's amazing the 180 that occurs when he walks into the door at the end of the day. Spirits are lifted, smiles are a bit brighter, and there's always lots of excitement from everyone. So, here's to another year full of joy!

Crazy Hair Day

It was Crazy Hair Day at school today. So, we braided Rachel's hair last night, we sprayed it green this morning, and then put in a bunch of flowers. Her braids are the stems. She was pretty excited to go to school. And after school she came home with all kinds of ideas for next year... For most of them she's going to have to let her hair grow out. Anyhow, here she is all ready to go to school this morning:

 

 

Papa & Grandma Michaelson's Visit

The girls participated in the Primary program this past Sunday. Papa and Grandma Michaelson drove down to see it. We had less than 24 hours with them, but we had so much fun!!! Saturday night we did our traditional dinner at Chuck E. Cheese. It was a crazy madhouse, but the kids had fun. Ian enjoyed his first ride (and of course both of them couldn't hold still at the same time, so there's 2 pictures):

 

Rachel had fun as well:

We also had time to just enjoy each other at home. It was a very chill visit, which was nice. Ian enjoyed checking out Papa's watch for the first time:

And of course what's a visit without presents from the grandparents? Our kids are so spoiled by all their grandparents! My mom made scarves for the girls. They play with them like their boas and they also sleep with them every night. They're really cute scarves!

The girls did a great job on their parts for the Primary program. Rachel even had the opportunity to play the chimes and she enjoyed that. It's so much fun to see them get so excited every year for it. Audrey was thrilled to be a part of it this year. And we are so grateful that Papa and Grandma were able to be there to see it. We are looking forward to heading their way for Thanksgiving!

Just in case you're wondering...

Ian does have a sad, grumpy side that emerges every once in awhile. Tonight it was because he was still eating dinner and Rachel got out the magnetic letters to do some homework. He was quite upset. I probably should have taken video, but here are a few pictures:

 

After he finished his last couple of bites he was happy to be put on the floor to play and his smiles returned:

Nhung's Visit

A week ago my childhood best friend, Nhung, came to visit me. We have known each other since 5th grade. A few months ago I commented to her that I didn't know when I would make it to Fresno again since all of my brothers have now moved away. So, she suggested coming out to visit me. She hasn't meet Ian and she had met Audrey and Rachel each individually when they were babies. I was definitely excited to have her come out and spend some time with me. The girls quickly fell in love with spending time with her.  

Nhung arrived on a Wednesday afternoon and stayed until Sunday. We enjoyed lots of girl talk, she helped me so much with just day to day stuff, we did some shopping, she taught me how to make Vietnamese egg rolls and yummy fried rice, we got pedicures, we did a movie night, and we even made it to Galveston. I was actually really bad about taking pictures, but I did get some of our adventure at the beach. Andy had to work, so we packed up the kids and headed to the beach on Saturday. The kids had fun and we enjoyed just sitting, talking, and watching...

We took a little ferry ride to see some dolphins. We saw about a dozen dolphins and the girls loved it. It was a tad windy...

 Nhung and I in 1998:

Nhung and I in 2012:

It was so much fun to see Nhung and to spend time with her. I told her the next trip has to be just us. We'll have to meet somewhere and just enjoy a weekend without kids. :) Nhung stepped into the roll of an auntie. She helped me with the kids and didn't mind that we just did things when it worked. The girls have already asked me several times when Nhung is going to come back to visit. I am definitely grateful for her continued friendship and look forward to the next time we can get together...