The weekend before the Fourth of July, Mimi and Papi (Rod's parents) came to visit. Aubrey asked us all day when Mimi and Papi were coming. She LOVES her Mimi and Papi. She continued to go back and forth, looking out the window all day.We had a great time playing outside in the water, going to the park, and great family time at home.
Aubrey loved playing with Mimi at the park. Ryleigh had a great time too!
Aubrey loved swimming with Papi in our blow up pool. She loved to climb on Papi's back, then jump off of him while he was on all fours!
These girls love playing in the water! (Ryleigh cries when we take her out of the bath)
It's not easy to try to get a picture with these girls both looking forward and smiling! Although this was not the pose we had in mind, it really makes me smile!
Every year we spend the Fourth of July at the Tate's. We hang out all day, eat burgers, celebrate my sister Keari's birthday, and watch fireworks at Grapevine Lake. It was a great day.
Silly, silly girls!
Kate and Aubrey are quite the pair!
Keari's birthday! Happy birthday Keari!
Ryleigh loved her Fourth of July cake!
Family Pic
Our attempt at getting a pic of many of the cousins
Thompson Fam
Jackson Fam with my parents
I am in love with these two
Pruett Clan
Ian loves playing with Kate and Aubrey
Aubrey, Isabelle and Kate
We have been getting pics of the three of these girls together since they were babies. SO fun!
Sweet Carly and Ryleigh
These babies were out way past bedtime!
I love this pic of Ryleigh with my Dad
Mom and Dad with the Ry and Carly
Fireworks at the Grapevine Lake are amazing!
Aubrey wasn't so sure she liked the fireworks.
Rod loves the bright flashing camera at night. Ryleigh trying to sleep, but can't.
It was a great Fourth of July!
The Nelsons are great neighbors to us. We have kids close in age to each other, so it's always fun to have playdates! I always love an excuse to hang out with Mitzi!
Kenzie and Ryleigh were cute playing together
Colt and Aubrey
Also in July, Aubrey fell off of the couch and hit the coffee table. This picture does not do justice to how bad Aubrey's right eye looked.
On July 10, Rod and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary! We went to this awesome restaurant called Del Frisco's. It was the best food I have had in a long, long time. We really treated ourselves, and it was a lot of fun! I love you Rod!
It is rare that we get to go to any of Rod's softball games, due to bedtimes. However, we did make one in July! Aubrey and Ryleigh both loved it. They did a great job of sitting and watching the game.
Aubrey took the game seriously
Sea Life Aquarium
Also in July, we went to the grand opening of the Aquarium at the Grapevine Mills. I was very impressed!When you first walk in, you see all these fish swimming all around you in a circle. VERY COOL!
Aubrey was not sure at first, but then she loved it!
You could climb up into the glass to make it look like you were swimming with the fish. Aubrey was not interested in that!
Ryleigh was content in her stroller the entire time1
I thought this was an interesting fact!
Aubrey and Laci
At the very end, the kids were able to reach in and touch the fish.
They also have a playground available for kids to run around on.
Aubrey and Ian
Six Flags!!
Tami and I wanted to take the girls to Six Flags without our babies. It's way too hot for them! So, The Coxs and The Pruetts headed to Six Flags minus Ryleigh and Carly. (Thank you Mom!) I wasn't sure how Aubrey would feel about the rides, but she warmed up fast, and had an incredible time. Of course there were a few she definitely was NOT a fan of! We started out easy with the little cars in Looney Toons Land.
I made a big mistake in thinking Aubrey would like the little roller coaster there. (I have to admit, it went faster than I thought it would)
Aubrey raising her hands for the seat belt.
This was Aubrey's face by the end of it. I felt horrible for her!
The swings were a much bigger hit!
Tami and I hit the big mine train (in the very back) for old times sake.
Aubrey passed on the Mini Mine Train, but she cheered for Kate from the side!
Aubrey loved the little black airplanes that went up and down, and round and round. I was pleasantly surprised!
I thought Aubrey would love the Roaring Rapids, but that was not the case. She spent the entire ride leaning against me. Poor girl!
I love these two!
Aubrey and Kate loved the Pink Things. They ate them up quick!
Rod trying to point out all the fun things in The Cave. Aubrey doesn't look all that impressed.
Aubrey and Kate staying busy on our IPhones while we took turns riding the big rides.
The little spray areas were great!
Family Pic
It makes me laugh that Kate and Aubrey both decided to look away from the camera. Whose idea was that?
Aubrey loved the Merry Go Round!
We also took the girls on the log ride. Um, yeah forgot how big the hill was at the end. Aubrey was not a fan from the start. Lots of tears! I don't think she will be first in line to ride it next time.
Overall, we had an incredible time! It was quality time with Aubrey and the Pruetts! It was extremely hot, so there were no lines for anything! Rod and Zack got to ride all the rides Tami and I were chicken to ride. Did I mention, I don't love roller coasters the way I used to? Rod wanted me to ride The Batman ride with him. It's not one of the biggest rides, and I have been on the ride tons of times. However, I was so nervous getting on the ride. My hands were sweating, and my heart was racing a mile a minute. I am glad the kids have Rod to ride with when they are older! It was a memorable, fun day!
Lake Murray State Park
Tami and I like to take trips to a cabin somewhere every other year. This year we decided on Lake Murray. We had great memories from going there in college. It was a great trip. We did have to adapt to changes in sleep schedule, nap schedules, etc.. Of course that's a given on vacation. Tami and I attempted to let Kate and Aubrey sleep in the same room. That wasn't a big hit; so we decided to keep both Ryleigh and Aubrey in the room with Rod and I. That worked out well. We definitely had a memorable trip. It was a very kid friendly place. Lots to do for everyone! Enjoy the pictures!
As you can see, our car was filled to the rim!
Our first night after dinner! Ryleigh was already asleep, but the rest of the girls enjoyed playing with all the toys we brought!
It was nice that the Park also provided a pool for the lodge guests. We all wished it felt just a little cooler, but it was still very refreshing!
I loved the lake! The girls loved playing in the sand too! The were many shallow areas that the girls could just walk around in. It was perfect!
Kate's smile in this picture makes me laugh!
One day we rented a boat so we could jet ski, enjoy the lake, and even go down the slide! Ryleigh hated the life jacket, and was very upset until she fell asleep for her morning nap. I knew there was NO WAY she was going to fall asleep in that life jacket, so I broke the rules and let her fall asleep on me.
Tami and Aubrey on the slide. (Although,Aubrey actually did not go down until later with me.) The slide was not a great experience for Aubrey. She went into the water and it scared her a bit. I did not try to convince her to do it again after that.
Tami had to hold Carly to get her to sleep too.
Aubrey and Rod in the lake
Rod and I on the jet ski
Putting Ryleigh and Carly in the high chairs for lunch was a nice break for us!
Aubrey and Kate had such a great time!
Back in the life jackets again!
This was the only time the babies got to sit on the jet ski.
Carly was a good sport in her life jacket.
Heading back to shore!
Sunglasses always make Ryleigh smile!
The girls enjoying the books
Our last night the boys made up a great steak! I actually put most of it away!
The girls loved the snow cones!
Ryleigh was a big fan too!
When we were done eating snow cones, we got some fish food so the girls could feed the catfish
Those suckers were big!
It was a lot of fun for the girls!
The Park also provided a little Putt Putt course. The girls never played, but I thought it looked like fun.
The little playground was another great area for kids.
I gave Ryleigh a bath in the sink each night. She absolutely LOVED it!
Here are some pics of the cabin!
We had to basically trasnform the living room area into a play area. The kids loved it!
Here is where Aubrey slept
Ryleigh's area
Rod and I's bed
The bunk room (Where Kate and Aubrey were supposed to sleep)
The outside of the cabin
It's amazing how fast the summer has gone! We have had some really good times this summer! I am not ready for it to be over! Tami and Zack, thank you helping us have such an incredible trip at the cabin, and a memorable first trip to Six Flags. We love experiencing life with you guys!
