San Antonio 2012

Last week we traveled to San Antonio to enjoy some time away from home. We had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa Lehmann.  There are a lot of pictures in the post--but I did cut it down from 350. :)

Our first stop after lunch on Wednesday was the Alamo.  It was super hot, but Ethan and Avery did great.  Ethan and really didn't understand why we were there and what it was all about, but years from now he can say that he visited the Alamo when he was 2 and half.  He kept asking to see the Alamo (when we were inside) I am unsure what he thought the Alamo was exactly. :)

"Remember the Alamo" 

 
Somewhere in the boxes of pictures my mom has, there is a picture of my brother Michael and I sitting on this very cannon.  He did a great job holding Avery--who is 3 months old today--where has the time gone?

Enjoying time with Grandma Lehmann--the same trip that Michael and I were sitting on the cannon, we have pictures with our grandma also.  It was so nice to recreate the same pictures 25 years later. :)

Ethan enjoying some ice cream on the river walk after learning about the Alamo. 

Such a pretty girl in yellow

 On Thursday we went to Sea World.  It is the perfect place to take a young kid--so many things to do. The first thing we did was feed the dolphins.  Ethan was a little nervous, but Grandpa, Daddy and I did.  It was great.  Then we went to the Sesame Street Bay of Play.  We saw Elmo, Cookie Monster, and the other SS friends sing.  Then he played on the biggest jungle gym--which was perfect.  We went to see the Shamu One World show. It was awesome.  As you can see from below Avery slept through the show (both times), but big brother Ethan had a blast! He thought it was so funny when the whales splashed the audience--even when we got wet.

 As you can see he was soooo tired. This is him watching the Elmo Rocks show.  I have to say he did great with no nap and lots of sun.  No meltdowns--I have such a good boy!

He fell asleep on Grandpa's shoulders on the way to the car. Grandpa--way to not wake him up when you took him off your shoulders--you must be a pro.  He slept until we got the hotel and then was ready to go again.  

 On Friday we enjoyed sometime at the San Antonio Zoo.  Ethan and Avery "rode" an elephant.  Ethan had a great time looking at all the animals.  The Hippos were all of our favorites-- since The Houston Zoo doesn't have hippos.  We rode the train before having a BBQ lunch and then drove home.  It was a wonderful three days!

Sleeping beauty--enjoying the cool breeze of the fan.  

Zoo

Waiting for the elephants to come out and enjoy their treat!  

 Playing in the snow and ice at the zoo.

 I'll get your tiger!

Fourth of July!

Why are you sleeping Avery? Don't you know it is a day for fireworks? 

Wake up, Avery...Mommy is taking pictures

 Why are you crying? Oh yeah, because I stuck my finger in your eye.

My two little firecrackers...

Ethan and Avery watching the fire work in front of Grandma and Grandpa's house.  I didn't realize until after I uploaded the pictures that Ethan had ketchup and mustard all over his face from his hot dog-- it is a pretty typical look for him. 

Sparklers with Daddy and Uncle Mike

All he wanted was to light a firework...just like the big boys.  This is Mike carrying him away. 

Sleeping in Grandma and Grandpa's room while the party is going on outside

He crashed on the way home--it was three hours past his bedtime--The straw sparkler, was the last thing he grabbed before we left, he held it all the way home and then took it to bed with him.  I think he was a fan of the Fourth of July. 

2 months and 2 1/2 years

 Avery is 2 months old now.  I forgot to post her one month stats.  The past month just got away from me.  It is hard to believe that my little girl is 2 months old.  She is such a good baby.  Some highlights from the past month; Avery:

• sleeps about a 6 hour stretch eats and then sleeps another 4 hour stretch at night
• is really strong and does a great job holding her head up, she also can lift her head while on her tummy
• has found her hands, and sometimes it is hard to pry them from her mouth to eat
• follows voices and sounds--espcially her big brother's actions
• is a great eater..as you can tell by the pictures :) 
• laughs and coos 
• loves to give everyone big smiles
•  weighs 10 pounds 9 ounces (40%) and is 21 3/4 inches long (25 %)

 Ethan is 2 and half years old and is active as ever!  As you can see in the picture above, ALWAYS in motion!  He LOVES his baby sister and has done a really good job transitioning to our new life, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Here are some highlights for; E-man:

• talks nonstop...about everything.  He is a sponge!  repeats(I have had to get really good at my oral spelling), comes up with new ideas, his imagination goes wild while playing with his dinoasurs and animals (mickey mouse is sometimes thrown in there also). 
• is in love with both sets of grandparents. 
• has a sweet tooth--but is a great eater.  (hot dogs, pizza, chicken and french fries, lemonade are some of his faves) He also loves asparagus and corn.  
• has also found his hands like Avery--but he uses them as characters and acts out a story
• is a fish--love to swim and has no problem going under the water
• is a great helper. He helps with laundry, cooking, dishes, and Avery--I never had to get up to get a diaper or go throw one away.  
•  we are working on potty training.  He can do it, but doesn't always want too. 
• loves to read.  He usually spends at least 30 minutes at nap time and then when he wakes up in the morning reading in bed.  

Toledo Bend Lake

Last week we traveled just a few hours away and went camping at Toledo Bend Lake.  We went with Grandpa and Grandma McDonald, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Time, and Chris's Aunt Carol, UNcle James, and Uncle Eugene met us there from Oklahoma.  We had a wonderful time, even if the temperature was 105.  We played on the deck, went for hikes, went for rides on the boat, played with sparklers, and just had a great time with family.  Ethan truly enjoyed himself, and I think that Avery really liked to be held all the time--thanks Carol. :) Here are just a few pictures of the 400 that I took.  :)  

On a downside, we had our first dip into the ant bites.  He got two on his foot.  The foot swelled up for a couple days, and luckily Benadryl took care of it and the Epi Pen didn't have to be used. 

Ethan is playing Dinosaur Train on the deck.  If it was a video, you would hear him singing the theme song.

We took a hike down to the water.  We had to drive to the trail head (it was about 30 minutes away). Just enough time for Ethan to fall asleep.  He is grumpy in the picture, hence why he is looking away--it isn't to enjoy the view of Louisiana.

VERY interested in the minnows...or shiners--as they are called in Louisiana--and that is how you have to "order" them I was told.  Learning new things every day. :)

Driving the boat...that is all he wanted to do. We were actually waiting for Daddy to untie us from the dock.  Below is his hair flowing in the air.  Daddy got up to 35 mph in the boat, he would have gone faster but I made him stop when Ethan started to squeeze my had.  Doesn't he look great in my sunglasses?  I couldn't see anything..but it was worth it to get this picture.

Taking a stroll with Grandma

Playing at the playground near our cabin

Avery and Aunt Sarah enjoying the morning on the deck.

Ethan enjoying his "coffee".  You can't see it, but he has a pretty good milk mustache.

Ethan and Uncle Tim dancing in the backseat. I love the look he is giving Tim.

Avery and Grandpa

Having fun in the coolers

Yummy Watermelon

This is where we stayed. It was a great view from the deck. A little scary to walk down to the water. :)