5th Birthday

Brinley's 5th birthday has been planned since the day after her 4th birthday party!! Not once has any detail changed (just for the record, she has already planned her 6-9th birthdays down to place and theme!)This years theme was Barbie.  Here is the cake that she helped me design and I made.  She picked the colors, wanted to add the dog on the float and picked out the rocks to line the pool.  She was very involved and has added being a baker to her list of occupations!

 Here is the birthday girl the day of her party at the Indoor Soccer place.

 She had a blast running 100 miles a minute the entire time!!!

 Clayton enjoyed himself too, at least that is what the sweat drenched little man told me

 As the RSVP's rolled in, I knew we were in for a big party.  I guess it was a weekend with nothing going on, because I only got a few declines.  None the less, we all had a great time!!!

 My little family with the birthday girl.

Brinley's actual birthday was on a Tuesday.  For her dinner she wanted to go to the sand place (Lupe Tortillas).  It actually rained for the first time in forever that day, so the back up plan for Chuck E Cheese. Both sets of Grandparents joined us for the dinner and Brinley enjoyed having Chuck E Cheese bring her cake out to her!

Chicago

This last weekend, Jason and I headed to Chicago to visit Melody without the kids.  We had so much fun! On Friday, we ate lunch at Harry Carey's and then did a 7 hour walking tour of the city! I was amazed at how beautiful and clean the city is! The weather was wonderful break from the Houston humidity and we walked without barely breaking a sweat.


The breathe taking view of Michigan Lake from Melody's apartment

 Me and Jason on the top of Melody's building downtown

  We also took a architecture boat ride around the city.  It was really neat to hear all the stories about the rebuild of Chicago after the great fire!

 Me on the boat tour

 Me and Jason with the Sears tower in the back (black one)

Melody and I at the Bean with Skyline in the background

The best view of the city was in the women's restroom at the Hancock tower

We were so tired from our walking tour, we got some famous deep dish pizza to go and watched The Dark Knight (filmed in Chicago) at Melody's place that evening!

 On Saturday, we headed to a cubs game at Wrigley's field.  The atmosphere was like anything I have ever experienced! Those Chicagoans love their cubs! Even though the lost 11-4, they were partying like crazy afterwards! We had lots of fun walking to each bar and soaking up the atmosphere!

On Sunday, we ate a great breakfast at a little cafe and then rode the subway to the airport. It was an amazing weekend!

4th of July

We headed into Baytown for the 4th of July celebration this year. 4th of July is always a big deal and Baytown goes all out. I remember going every year when I was growing up and it was tons of fun! They had lots of good food, rides and games for the kids and lots of booths with handcrafted items.

Brinley and Clayton dressed and ready to celebrate the 4th of July

Although the festivities start that morning, we opted to head in after nap and dinner since it was 100 degrees outside! We got there around 6, found our spot on the lawn (in the shade) for our chairs and blankets and took in all the fun! The kids had a blast sliding on the big slide, riding the swings, playing carnival games, and begging my mom to buy them everything under the sun ;-)

She loved her patriotic, glittery tattoo!!

Entertainment for the evening included Django Walker (jerry jeff walker's son) and Pat Green! Both guys put on a great show and had my kids dancing all night! Luckily, once the sun went down, we had a cool breeze and enjoyed the fireworks to end the evening.

Clayton cheesing with a mustache made from his flashing necklace

Bubble gun fight!

We had a wonderful July 4th and celebrated america's birthday with all the favorites: funnel cakes, lemonade, baseball (clayton won a baseball and bat), country music and fireworks!!!