Easter

Easter came so quickly this year being in March! Nonetheless, we celebrated in our usual grandness!

 

We started with dying eggs

 On Easter morning, we headed to church

 Then my family came over to our house for a delicious lunch from Rudy's BBQ, egg hunt and confetti eggs for the kids!

 For dinner, we had Jason's family over (including the cousins from England) for a traditional Easter dinner.  We then had another egg hunt and confetti eggs just before a huge rain storm hit!

We didn't have time to visit the Easter bunny this year, but thanks to an impromptu visit to HEB, I at least got a picture!

Bluebonnets

We took the kids to get pictures at the bluebonnet field by our house Easter weekend.  Since we didn't make it to have our picture with the Easter bunny this year (ran out of time), we dressed them up in their Easter clothes to do it.  I loved how these pictures turned out!!

 After we get our good pictures, we let the kids strike whatever pose they want......

Clayton's first tball game

Clayton had his first tball game on March 23rd. He was more than ready to play his game since he has been watching Brinley play her games for the last month! He did really well at paying attention, fielding the ball and hitting the ball.  I guess watching big sis has taught him what he should be doing (while others are playing in the dirt).  He didn't understand why the person he beat to the base wasn't out (they bat the entire line up, so no outs) so we had to explain that he won't be playing outs this year.....he was disappointed. He is loving tball and he looks so darn cute in a baseball uniform!

 

he is "baseball" ready 

 fielding the ball that was hit to him

 running to second base

 waiting on third by daddy

 first hit of the game!

Bayou Wildlife Park

To end our spring break, we headed to Bayou Wildlife park in Dickinson.  It is an 84 acre wildlife farm with tons of exotic animals that you can drive and feed the animals that come right up to the car and then there is a tram ride that takes you all over the farm to feed the animals as well.

 

Clayton REALLY enjoyed the day and absolutely loved feeding all the animals.  Brinley liked it but was more than willing to share her food with Clayton so he could feed the animals after she had fed a few.  He would have stayed all day if we would have let him!

 

This ostrich was right at the beginning of the drive waiting to be fed

 Jason and the llama checking each other out

 Getting ready to ride the tram to feed the animals

 Brinley feeding the llama

 Clayton feeding the buffalo

 Both kids feeding the Chloe the camel

 I forgot this guys actual name, but his horns were HUGE!!!!

We had a great day and plan to go back soon!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

We took Brinley out of school early one Friday and headed out to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  We go every year and each year, the kids love it more and more.  The rides seemed to be the biggest hit this year.  Since we were there in the afternoon, we didn't have to wait in line for any of them!

 

My little cowboy and cowgirl ready to rodeo 

There was a kangaroo in the petting zoo area this year!

Sitting on a bale of hay

Brinley riding a pony

Brinley, Clayton and daddy going down the big slide

They loved sitting on the longhorn

Clayton was chosen to be the cheerleader for our section during the pig races.  Our pig didn't win, but little man was proud to stand out front and represent!

 

My sweet little girl with two sweet animals :-)

The swings turned out to be Brinley's favorite ride at the rodeo.  They went so high and it made me nervous to watch, but she went back 3 times to ride them!

This llama was absolutely hilarious in the petting zoo.  He kept following us around and trying to steal our food.  He was all shaved except for his head, which made him look really silly!

 

A smaller version of the swings that Clayton could ride

They really can be so sweet with each other!

Riding a roller coaster together and loving it

Clayton loved this goat.  He kept hugging him and the goat was letting him!

Clayton riding the pony

After spending the entire afternoon at the rodeo riding rides, seeing animals, and eating lots of yummy food, we headed home completely exhausted! We are already for next year! Especially Clayton because he badly wants to compete in the mutton bustin competition, which you have to be 5 years old to do.

Strawberry Picking

We took advantage of the first beautiful day of spring break and met up with friends at Froberg Farms for strawberry picking! We came home with 2 bucketful of strawberries and I have already made strawberry bread and strawberry smoothies.  On the list to be made is strawberry pancakes and strawberry Popsicles.  It is a good thing my kids LOVE strawberries!

 

Brinley, Maddy, Clayton, Austin and Addison ready to pick

 

 Brinley is very particular when it comes to the strawberries she picks

 

 Clayton and Austin busy picking their strawberries

Softball Opening Day

We had softball opening day on February 23.  We have 6 girls who returned to our team from last year and 6 more girls (all of whom are friends with Brinley!) So needless to say, we have a great group of girls who are having fun!

 

On opening day, we had a spirit contest and took pictures.

We then played a tournament 2 of the 3 teams in our age division.  We beat both teams and won first place!

Brinley hitting the ball in the first game

 

The fab four in their 2nd season of softball (they have been BFF's since they were one!)

 

 The team getting ready to scream for the spirit contest

 

 My sassy little softball player

We are 5 games into our season and are still undefeated! It is amazing the difference a year makes with the girls skill level.  We are having fun!!!!