JULY 4TH

For July 4th, Lex wasn't feeling that good - fever and a cough.
So,.. we invited Aunt Suzie over and just hung out at the house.

We started out with a water balloon fight.
Here's Cooper, kind of telling me off that,
he "does NOT like water balloons, and nobody better get me!"
Needless to say - that didn't really work out!

he kids were able to some what gang up on their daddy.
But, with water hose in hand, it was a short battle!

We ate Popsicles on the deck while we watched the fireworks.

We had some FUN sparklers!
Look at the AWESOME pictures:

We had SUPER fun!
Thanks Aunt Suzie -
we had a GREAT TIME!

CAMP BULLDOG - Beach Trip!

While visiting my parents, we HAD to go to the beach.
Something we ALL LOVE to do!!
Of course, with 4 kids,... it was quite an adventure!
Never a dull moment!

When we first got there, it was important to set up shade.
Of course, with the wind whipping around, it wasn't easy (keep in mind, this was a brand new tent - NEVER been set up before & we had to rip off the annoying mosquito netting!)

After 30-40 minutes, we had success!!

Posing at the beach!

Lexi wanting to practice her gymnastics!

The kids piggies!

So,... we decided to take a walk down the beach. Cylas was kind of straggling behind, and I was walking beside him, but was too busy looking for shells. I wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. Finally,... I looked down and realized that during our walk, he was making a "path" with his toes... the WHOLE walk! If you look at the picture to the left, you can actually see how far the path goes back! VERY FUNNY!

The kids LOVE to chase birds!

It was SO hot, luckily there was an ice cream shop close by. Big Daddy brought us all some frozen treats to cool us off!

Then, a nasty rain cloud looked like it was heading STRAIGHT our way. We started to pack up!

Then, it suddenly disappeared and a beautiful rainbow appeared!

We flew kites - THANKS Daisy!

Cylas even flew his kite in the water!

Cooper spent a lot of time on the boogie board.
I think he must have been digging sand out of his... business!

You probably can't tell, but in this picture is a BEAUTIFUL city with lots of ponds!

Taking a break to enjoy some lunch - sausage on a stick, chips, & cheese!

Cortheye wanted to be covered in mud!!
She thought it was HILARIOUS!

Cylas would only get his hands muddy!

Cooper too!

Wonder what they are talking about?

Lexi collecting sea shells.

Awww... sweet pic!

CAMP BULLDOG - Pretzels and Birthdays

At Camp Bulldog, the kids made their own pretzels from scratch!
They had a FUN time, making their own shapes and rolling out the dough.
They each got to make a salty one and a cinnamon/sugar one.
They were SOOOO yummy!!

Cooper and his HUGE circle!

Cylas made a fluffy circle.

Cortheye made a peace sign.

Lexi made a peace sign also.

While we were there, we were able to celebrate Big Daddy's birthday!!
He just so happened to turn 55, which was neat because Cylas and Cooper both turned 5.
5 5

Big Daddy LOVES angel food cake with strawberries,
and we also had to get some yummy cupcakes!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG DADDY!

CAMP BULLDOG - Backyard fun!

During this day, we played in the back yard and had LOTS of fun!

Here the boys are painting "pet rocks"...
Big Daddy's supervises.

The girls are jumping in the pool.
Air Born!

The boys jumping in the pool.

We even made stepping stones!

The kids are on alert for all of those South Texas bugs!

GOOD TIMES!

CAMP BULLDOG - Indoor Water Park

The next day, we loaded up and went to an indoor water park.
It really was a LOT of fun!!

HOWEVER,... if you go - PLAN to wear your swimsuit and get in the water.
IF NOT,... it is like sitting in a sauna.
As you can see,... my mom & I are literally melting...
See our hair and shiny faces?

Cooper had a fascination of the water spouts...

Our tough guys!

Our crazy girls in the "lazy" river...

Taking a little break to pose for the camera.

CAMP BULLDOG - Bass Pro Shop

Soooo,.... on the way home from the museum, we decided to stop by the Bass Pro Shop.
OH YES,... STILL going!!

It was a lot of fun, and we could have spent longer there, the kids LOVED it, but were SO tired and cranky!
My family are not "gun people"... we're just not big hunters, not that we're against it or anything, but we'd take a fishing pole over a rifle ANY day :)

But, they have this cool set up, where they have fake rifles that shoot out lasers and whatever you shoot does something silly.
The kids had a BLAST!

Here's Big Daddy "watching" the boys - ha ha...

This was just funny - Lexi is hanging upside down...

CAMP BULLDOG - Houston's Childrens' Museum

After the Orange Show, we loaded up and went to the Houston Children's Museum. If you have never been, it is AWESOME! There is LOTS to do there and the kids had a BLAST!
Sunday is 1/2 price, so if you go on Sunday, expect a BIG crowd :)

The boys got to learn about sound of a guitar.

The girls learned about the sun.

Below is the ONE thing I would NOT recommend.
It is a 3 story maze made up of ropes and platforms.
The ways to get in and out are "hidden", and the paths are straight forward...
It was VERY confusing!
Luckily, we didn't have to get the girls out in a hurry.
But, there was a point, where they couldn't get out!

Cooper & Cylas played dodgeball...
Not the kind that we are used to - in a sweaty gym with a 100mph ball pouncing your face,... but this was a lightboard.
It was VERY cool, and Grandma Cissy and I decided we needed one at the house -
until Cooper got punched in the mouth.

Cooper & Cylas could have spent the whole time on these,... but we had to share :(

Sitting patiently as they wait for the grown-ups to get them "registered"...

Lexi pulling her self up.

This just about says the end of the day -
Lexi is fussing at Cylas
and
Cylas is passing out on the bench.

Time to go home...