Miscellaneous Memories

A few more pictures to round out our fun time with the Colorado Boaz family:

Yummy seafood on Galveston, like these soft shell crabs

The Boaz brothers had tremendous fun hunting hogs (even if they didn't find any!)

We have to chronicle all the time Sarah and Abby got together - riding in the back seat, hangin' around inside while the big kids went to the beach, rode bikes, or went swimming, because they probably won't remember this!

And a trip to the Blue Bell factory.  We'll remind Sarah someday that her first taste of ice cream was the best.  Yum!!

In the Aquarium Pyramid

We finished up our time at Moody Gardens in the Aquarium Pyramid.  We loved the seals, shark tunnel, and penguins.

I love this picture of Kayla from the creative mind of Randy Boaz!  (No sweet nieces were actually harmed in the making of this picture)

At Palm Beach

Day Two in Galveston:  Palm Beach (but not a real beach - just the waterpark at Moody Gardens).

 The intrepid explorers took off down the rushing river, with their even more intrepid dad.  It takes a brave man to take two semi-comfortable-in-the-water kids and one nervous 2 year old to a water park!

They had a lot of fun while Abby and I stayed cool inside!

In the Rainforest

While our Colorado family members were visiting, we took an overnight trip to Galveston.  Besides a little time at the beach, we got to explore Moody Gardens.  Here are our pictures from the Rainforest Pyramid.

 

I always wanted to live in a rainforest when I was a kid... But not a real rainforest.  Too hot.  And humid.  And then there's all the bugs... and rain.  I think I'd love to live in a Rainforest Pyramid, though!

Family Time

The doorbell rang.  Naomi and Johnathan opened the door to discover a large box on the front porch.  "Open it up, Naomi,"  Dad said.

When Naomi opened the box, for the first time in her life, she was nearly speechless.  Cousin Kayla was in there - and the rest of her family was hiding around the corner!  We were so excited that they took the time to drive down to Texas and spend the week with us.  New cousins Sarah and Abigail got to meet one another.

Big and Little Boaz girls!

Johnathan loved baby Sarah, too.

 We had a busy week showing them around our Texas home, but we squeezed in a little bit of relaxation, too (or as much as you can with 6 kids running around!).  The Boaz Brothers shared a favorite activity - watching a recording of last season's Broncos game with babies napping on them.

Trying to get the perfect baby cousins picture

Abigail's and Sarah's first playdate at 2 and 4 months old

And Kayla and Naomi "treated" Auntie Erika to a pedicure and massage at the highly exclusive "Nayla Salon and Spa".  Even Baby Sarah got a little spa treatment!

Congratulations to David, Heather, and Carolanne, who welcomed little Zachariah Peter into their family on July 25.  We look forward to meeting our great-nephew someday!!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

Birthday Month concludes with my wonderful husband's birthday.  This year we "fiestaed" with a dinner of tapas and a frozen chocolate mousse pie.

We can't tell you how much we love you, Daddy.  You hold us together and keep us laughing though it all.  Happy Birthday, Kevin!