Pint sized pool

The girls really seem to be enjoying the pool grandpa got Olivia for her birthday! The first time we put it to use, they stayed in it for close to two hours! Lucky for them (and me) I moved the patio umbrella for some much needed shade! They just love to splash...such water "babies" they are!

Testing the waters...and getting their toys in just the right places

Olivia's having a blast!
Looks like Lexie is too!!!
I think they are starting to turn into prunes!


Coming up for air after blowing some BIG BUBBLES!


Practicing her "green light" kicks!

"Come on in Gran, the water's warm!"

Our Silly Guppy

Since joining MHCC late last fall, we weren't really sure what to expect out of the "Sports Complex". While we still haven't taken advantage of the tennis programs YET, we have gotten the most out of the swimming lessons! Lexie loves her Guppy class, the instructors, and her fellow 'fishies'. She is over the moon about going to the pool and especially her swim lessons, and we couldn't be more thrilled!!! Keep praying for good weather--so far so good...no cancellations and we haven't missed one yet!!!!

Blowing some really big bubbles!

Waiting her turn for the next exercise.
Olivia wasn't quite old enough for the class, but she loves the water none the less! I usually try to sit by the edge of the pool with her and do some of the same exercises the class does. She is getting really good at blowing bubbles, kicking on her belly and floating on her back!
Green light....the kids love to play red light, yellow light, green light! Kick those little legs!

Playing with daddy during Lexie's swim class...prepare to get soaked daddy...just look at the grin on her face!

Texas Christmas Visit Take TWO

For the second half of our trip, we relocated to my dad's house near Humble. Lexie was instantly in heaven when she saw the pool---and Russ was excited to be able to get out and play some golf! This was the first visit to Houston where we stayed at both Michael & Debbie's and my dad's. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but we had a blast! We really wish our trip wouldn't have gotten cut short since it seemed like we really didn't get to spend enough time at either place! Luckily, most of the gang from Seabrook was able to come up New Year's Day to hang out and visit! Guess we will just have to try to make another visit soon!


View of the back of the house
Night time shot of the hot tub and pool...Lexie LOVED the pool, LOVED the colors, and LOVED visiting with everyone!
Russ posing with the girls prior to celebrating what seemed like our 6th Christmas---we were all super excited
Passing out Christmas gifts
More gifts....
Olivia gets in on the gift opening action
"Thankssss"
The next morning---very early in the morning--before anyone else was awake, my dad fired up the smoker in preparation for the feast that was to be enjoyed MUCH later in the day. When the rest of us were finally awake--a couple of hours later, the whole house smelled like a smoker! Everyone raved about the food so it must have been worth all the effort. (I tasted the baked beans--as they were also 'smoked'--pretty tasty!)

Here is the custom made plaque on affixed to the front of the smoker! This is no joke!
Throwing a few more logs on the fire
Supervising from the widow
Briskets being smoked in preparation for the big New Year's Day Celebration

Dad and Granny standing in front of the smoker
Russ enjoying the warm water in the pool with the girls
Hanging out on New Year's Day--good weather, good food, good times! (Doesn't hurt that the Buckeyes won--GO BUCKS!)
Uncle Mitch showing Spencer a little 'love'
While getting the girls ready for bed, Olivia decides to 'HONK' Spencer...I think she got him good
Posing in our matching jammies again---

Poor Spencer never had a chance once the girls ganged up on him!
Posing with Uncle Mitch before his morning drive back to San Antonio
After Uncle Mitch left, we took the kids outside to let them run off some energy. It was a cool--but gorgeous morning!

Olivia was loving the outdoors!

Taking the girls for a ride--enjoying the crisp fall like air (rather than sub freezing temps up north)

Eagle Scout Russ working on the wood pile for the bonfire later that night
Grandpa wanted a turn at taking the girls for a ride around the 'backyard' in the wagon
Night time bonfire is complete with toasty warm marshmallows
"These sure are good mommy---but I'm a messy mess!"
Getting a little bit of help from Daddy and Granny
Lexie loved the bonfire--and the big red blanket wrapped around her! It was a bit chilly!
THANKS Dad for hosting such a great party on new year's day...and thanks everyone for a great visit! Hope to see you all again soon!

Headin' back to Venice

We made it back to GG and Gpa's with Russ in tow. Lexie was ready to show off her swimming skills. Up to this point, she still didn't venture too far from the edge of the pool, the steps, or whomever was 'helping' her. She was getting much better about jumping into the pool, but still wasn't sure about getting water in her face. After a mid-morning swim with Nini and me, that all changed. While daddy was out golfing with the 'old 18 holers', we were busy practicing and perfecting our moves!

I managed to get Lexie to 'swim' in front of me while assuring her I had a hold of her from behind. The first couple of times, I did! It was almost like riding a bike...the child is on their bike while mom or dad is holding on to the back of if running along, then...you just have to let go and wait...and pray they don't wreck. Well, it was kinda like that, except...I knew she wasn't going to wreck--I just didn't want her to never trust me again. Long story short, after a few of those attempts of letting go so she could swim to Nini...she "didn't want 'help' anymore"...and she hasn't looked back since (well, except for a picture!)

Lexie was so proud of herself---and so were we!!!
Look at her go...kick, kick, kick!
Time to rest...and blow a few bubbles!
"I sure do love to swim mommy!"
Later that afternoon, we managed to sneak back down to the pool to show Russ Lexie's big accomplishment! Of course, Olivia had a few of her own too! Russ would since 'ring around the posies' and bounce Olivia up and down to the rhythm of the tune. When it was time for everyone to 'fall down', he would dunk her under water. It got to the point where she would sing herself..then proceed to duck her face into the water! It was a riot...and unfortunately, I didn't catch it on video! :(

We celebrated in style by going out to dinner...GOLD RUSH! All you could eat ribs...and boy did Russ put a few of them down! We had a great time!

Olivia says "Where's the beef?"
The last couple of days were busy ones--we tried to manage to squeeze EVERY little bit of life that we could out of our vacation! Russ and I managed to golf (thanks to GG, Gpa, and Nini for looking after the girls for us!) Nini and I went shopping while everyone else went to the park, we went to the beach, ate at Sharky's on the pier for lunch, and we even managed to find a place to call our own!!! (Again, thanks to GG, Gpa, and Nini for helping out!) Russ contacted a Realtor and we found, made an offer on and are in the process of closing on a condo of our own!! Pictures will be posted soon! Needless to say, it was quite an eventful and FUN trip! Can't wait for our next one!

Olivia is definitely "paa-pa's" girl!
Keeping herself entertained...with the help of a few dinosaurs. She really liked to stick them between her toes! Who knew THAT could be so much fun!

Sharky's on the pier...great food, good tunes, and FANTASTIC views!

Lunchtime at the beach!
Lexie enjoying the view from the piers

Walking down the pier enjoying our last day
We may need to look into gymnastics for this little one...she LOVED walking on the 'balance beams' aka parking stops!
We were all a little sad that the pool was closed the last day we were there. The temps dipped into the lower 60's so they put the cover on the pool. Still hard to complain where there are sunny skies and 60 degree weather (especially when it is snowing back up north!)