Trip to San Antonio

This past weekend, we visit Uncle Sam (Jon's sister's husband) at Lackland Air-force Base, in San Antonio, TX, for his boot camp graduation. Jon's sister had reserved a hotel room for us on base.  It was really nice.
The following morning was the actual ceremony where we watch all the men and women in uniform marched their rehearsed routine. The boys thought it was pretty cool. After the ceremony they wanted to take pictures in front of all the jets around. There were a lot.

After ceremony we all headed for lunch and then the San Antonio Zoo. It was a very fun place. Julien were so excited because their was a komodo dragon there.

 Kiki loved the aquarium, she is really into fish these days.

 

We also loved the monkeys. They were so funny swinging, chasing each other around.

There were a lot of cool exhibits, and habitats. We got to see the hippopotamus feeding, it was quite neat to see.

After much walking around torturous heat, Jon took us out for ice cream and pixie sticks. It was so refreshing.

 

 

After a long day, we headed back to the hotel room for a nap. The kids who where still full of energy settled for a movie.

For our final day, Starr had planned a trip to the famous Alamo. It was a very beautiful place. The kids were so excited to go because they had learned all about it just a few weeks prior. They loved to see David Crocket's attire.

The grandparents with all the grand-kids.

Cousins.

Kiki loving baby Scarlet.

Jon with the girls.

Julien and Logan wanted a special picture of just them and Sam while he was in uniform. They thought he was the coolest thing. They crack me up.

Outside the Alamo was a beautiful park with canons and other artifacts from the time period.

Kiki chilling with a snack. This girl is so beautiful!

Lastly we took a stroll on the river walk and Jon's dad took us out for lunch at a bbq place called The County Line. The River Walk is beautiful, there are lots of little shops and places to eat, little boats on the canal, and ducks to feed. It was a very fun place to visit.

 

I enjoyed beef brisket, while Jon licked his fingers after delicious ribs. The kids had a pretty good plate also.

 And our dear Kia Ora enjoyed playing mommy by feeding the baby.

Jon and I had a very enjoyable trip. It was a good time away from home experiencing new things, spending time with family.  We are also proud of Sam and his achievements in the air-force.

First family camping of the season!

Jon had a camp out with the boy scouts over spring break and so we decided to tag along for a little camping of our own.

Jon got the boys there own tent! They were so excited!

This was Kiki's first experience camping. She did really well. She was a little afraid and fussed to fall asleep and was afraid to go to the bathroom in the toilets there, but besides that she loves being outdoors, discovering new things.

Logan tending the fire.

Jon enjoying a nice cup of cocoa.

Julien making pancakes for breakfast. They were delicious.

Lunch!

Julien tagged along with the boy scouts while Jon was teaching them how to tie and fuse ropes.

Kiki loving her daddy.

While Jon was busy with the scouts, we played lots and lots of games.

 

I'm so glad we went, it was so fun and relaxing to be together in nature without any distractions, or obligations. I can't wait til our next campout!

Houston Rodeo!

This past weekend we went to the Houston Rodeo. We love going to rodeos and heard lots of good things about it. The Houston Rodeo is a day's even. Outside the stadium in a huge fair, with lots of little shows,  petting zoos, music concerts, and expositions.

We first headed to the fair where the boys rode on very scary rides. I was so afraid they would trow up since Jon had taken us out to eat at "Five Guys" less than an hour before.

 

After  waking around the fair, riding rides, and eating mighty good treats, we headed to the rodeo. The rodeo was pretty fun, but Jon and I both agree we love local rodeos better where we are up close and personal, and feel the dirt flicking onto your face as the broncos, or bulls rear, and lash back and forth.

 After the rodeo Chris Young, a country artist sang. It was a cool concert.

 For dinner the kids enjoyed a huge turkey leg and chicken on a stick, while Jon and I had a delicious beef brisket sandwich and ribs.

The kids loved the petting zoo. They had so many animals.

The farming, ranching, livestock exposition was awesome. It was probably the coolest thing on the rodeo grounds. There were so many animals and educational stations. One of the most interesting was the chicken exposition. The kids could see step by step the hatching, development, and growth of little chicks live. The kids stood for a good 10 minutes looking at baby chickens pecking out of their shells.

Logan really liked this truck and wanted a picture with it.

 Some of Jon's friends and co-works told him about fried snickers bar, so he really wanted to try one.
Well, we could not find one stand that sold them until our walk back to the car. So here is Jon grinning at the find.

Jon said it was good. I didn't think it was that great, I think my fear of getting a clogged artery, or a heart attack messed with my sense of taste.
  

Logan and Kiki cuddling up on the walk home.

I had so much fun being with the family. Those moments are the ones I love most.

a nice afternoon at the beach

Today we decided to go down to the beach since we hadn't been in a few months. It was a little chilly, but so relaxing to be by the sea shore. Kiki enjoyed running around the beach, while the boys flew kites, and Jon tried to build a fire.

 

toes! toes! toes!

Ever since Kia Ora has been a year or so she just loves getting her toes done. She will run to the bathroom to get the manicure set, give it to Jon and say "toes, toes, toes!" And Jon will spend some time giving her a pedicure and paint her nails. She loves it! In fact, she will be so relax and has the ability to just stay for so long that she often time will fall asleep. This girl cracks me up!