Symphony Square

Austin is such a great place for things to do. I recently discovered "Kid's Art Park" day held at Symphony Square. Every wed. during June and July, the kids get to attend an outdoor concert. When you get there, there are bubbles, clowns, balloons, and instruments hanging down (with alcohol swabs), so that the kids can try out different instruments.

Examples are a trumpet, clarinet, oboa, violin, drums, etc. VERY cool!! The cost to get in is $0.50 per child and adults get in free!!!

We all had so much fun singing along and dancing!

Even Granny got into it!

Then, the pied piper leads everyone down "lemonade trail" to these covered tents where you can do crafts, listen to more music being played by some Austin Synphony members, meet some police officers, and lots more. Here's Cooper taking a snack break and drinking lemonade (sold for $0.10 a cup!!). He really had fun!!








Here's Lexi after she got her face painted. It's a cat. The lines were pretty long, but it's what she really wanted.








Bottom line:

We had so much fun! and it only cost us: $1.60!!

Now, is only I could learn how to parrallel park, I wouldn't have to pay to park in the garage!! But, we all know that's probably not going to happen!!

July 4th

We had a great July 4th!! The Rodgers Family and the McGowan Family joined us for lots of good food and great times! The kids loved doing fireworks (well,... not really Cooper. But he watched very leery.).

But, it was the "big boys" who had the most fun!! It was almost a little scary and I think the ladies will have to re-think getting together next year!

Circus Trip

We just had a trip to the circus (Coop's first). Granny and I surprised the kids and took them one afternoon. We showed up early so that we could see the animals "up-close and personal". It was SO hot, it was miserable. That part wasn't worth it and I wouldn't recommend it. There are two fences between you and the animails, for safety reasons, that it was almost like going to the zoo. Then, we were able to go down on the floor of the arena and visit with the clowns and see a few of the acts. Lexi even got to touch an elephant. She LOVED it. Once the show started, the kids were absolutely glued for the entire two hours!! I never knew that Cooper could sit still for that long!! We had such good seats. So, when my battery died on my camera I was crushed. I guess we'll just have to go back next year! That night Lexi had a horrible tummy ache.... it prob. wasn't from the cotton candy, snow cones, and hamburger she devoured. I'm pretty sure.

I have recently met a girl that is starting up her own photography business. She asked to photograph the kids for her newsletter. I thought the print turned out so cute!! Her name is Shannon and her e-mail address is: smbphotography@austin.rr.com

Coop's 2nd Birthday

I cannot believe that Mr. Cooper is now 2 years old! Where in the world does the time go?? We had planned his party at a park. But, to our surprise at 5am my mom and I were awaken by thunder and rain. So,.... at the last minute we decided to have the party at our house. The rain stopped about 10 minutes before we had the choo-choo reserved. So we all caravaned in a rush to the park. The kids (& adults) all had a fun time riding the train.

Here are the big kids (minus Avery) after our train ride.

Grandma Cissy, Granny, and Aunt Dee-Dee enjoyed conversation with each other about their travels,

ecspecially to New York!!

There were so many good times and wonderful pictures, but since I have "wonderful" dial-up, I am unable to put any more pics. Sorry!! Thanks to everyone who helped make Cooper's day special. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family in our lives, even those that wanted to be here, but weren't able to make it.

Hopefully this next year will go

by a little slower

than these past two,

but I doubt it! :(

Adding new floors

We recently worked on the flooring some more. We got the kitchen and some of the hallway done. It was a lot of hard work trying to go around the desk in the kitchen, but it looks SO much better than that old nasty "apartment" yellowish linoleum!!! Now if we can just get the living room done, we'll be all good!! We had a little problem with the gas line... so after a trip to home depot and clarence having to make a tight squeeze, it's good. Hopefully I'll have pics of the living room on very soon.