Summer travels and fun

The past month has been very busy and fun! I have not had a chance to tell you much about all the fun things we have been doing, and I was holding off, hoping to dedicate a post for each individual fun adventure. But time is still ticking away, and I'd rather show a snippet of each thing, rather than forget to post about it at all! So, here is a very short overview.

For the Fourth of July, the George Bush library always does a firework show. Last year, we watched it from Traditions, because it was still our home. This year we planned to go, but Jesse was overly hot and tired, as was Wesley. So I called Julie to see if she wanted to go with me and Ryleigh. Lo and behold, she was going with some of her friends! Ryleigh and I met them there, and hung out to watch the show.

Just an FYI, it is summer. In Texas. Therefore, you will notice that the accessory of choice for every single picture is shiny sweat. Real attractive. :)

But, we had a good time, and were thankful that Juls let us crash her party.

Next I'm going to show you pictures from a great weekend with my family up in Dallas.







Ohhhh wait. No, I'm not. That's right. I FORGOT MY CAMERA the weekend we had in Dallas with everyone. The original "Holder" family only gets together once or twice a year, depending on special occasions, and I left my camera at home. Can I tell you how frustrated I was? Not only did I miss pictures of my sisters and I hanging out, Ryleigh meeting her cousin Peyton and the two girls in their matching outfits, all three of the cousins together for the first time...it was also the first ever Little Family Reunion! And I have no pictures! Well, lots of other people took pictures so I have their pictures, but I'm totally bummed that I missed out with my own. It was a really fun weekend, despite a really bad night from Ryleigh and Wesley that forced us to leave early. A good time was had by all, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the Holders and all the Littles!


Next on the map was the extended family reunion in San Antonio the following weekend. I didn't take too many pictures, but I think Julie grabbed my camera and took some during the pinata! Wesley was the first batter up.

Ryleigh was shortly after, and this year she actually "got it" swinging away at the pinata. And when it was broken, you better believe the girl came back with a bag full of candy!

Saturday night, we stayed in San Antonio. My parents and Julie had tickets to a concert, so it was just me and the kiddos. We stayed at a hotel "on the riverwalk" so I was going to attempt to take the two of them down there for dinner. Turns out, we were NOT on the riverwalk, and the more I considered pushing a stroller while watching a toddler on the busy riverwalk, the more daunting it seemed. SO, we ordered room service and had a picnic in the hotel instead. After the rough night we had had the weekend before out of town, I was scared to death of another bad night...and this time without Jesse's help! We laid low, ate a calm dinner, played, took a long bath, did the normal night time routine complete with story time, and then tucked everyone in bed. And they did pretty well! Wesley woke up happy as clam the next morning!

And it's a good thing, because we had plans... the kids first trip to Sea World!! My parents wanted to take us, and naturally Ryleigh was pumped!

Wesley had to warm up to the idea. After refusing to wear his hat, and then getting sunscreen reapplied to his head, he was pretty fussy right off the bat.

But, warm up he did! (In more ways than one...) First thing on the list of things to do?

Why does anyone go to Sea World?? To see Shamu! And this year one of the whales had a baby. See it swimming with its mommy? Aww, it was super cute.

We were sitting behind the splash zone, thinking there was no way we would get splashed, and if so, maybe a couple drops. Well, Mom, Dad, Ryleigh, and Wesley (who was then sitting on Dad's lap) managed to stay dry, while Julie and I somehow managed to get SOAKED. Shamu hit their tail just right and that water came straight for us.

Ryleigh loved the show!

And feeding the flamingos with Granddaddy was fun! "Pink birds??"
Ryleigh also experienced her first roller coaster ride. My little dare devil loved it! We no sooner got off the ride, and she was already asking to go again!

So Aunt Julie obliged.

Julie and I thought we would be big shots and ride the large roller coaster, The Steel EEL, and I think we both thought we were going to lose our lunch and die right there. I definitely felt my age on that one!!

It was a hot day, but a LOT of fun. Ryleigh had a blast seeing the different shows and exhibits. Apparently she asked my mom why she could not swim with the penguins...umm, yes it was hot, but that might be a little extreme.

On the way home, we stopped in San Marcus at Julie's old place of employment: The Gristmill. My oh my, it was so good. And it just happened that it was my one splurge day on the entire 24 day challenge, so YES, I splurged it up good. Dessert and all! The drive home was rainy, but God gave us a double rainbow at the end. We arrived home, took baths, and climbed in bed! (Needless to say, the next day was a lazy one.)

We have been traveling this summer, and August holds more plans for more travel. I guess that is what summer is for, right? Hot, sweaty fun in the sun...preferably not in your own backyard. Ryleigh is having a great time, and I know she will be bored immensely when Fall rolls back around.