4th of July

We spent the 4th of July at home.  It was nice to just be at home after all the travelling.  I had bought some fireworks in Texas (just sparklers and smoke bombs).  We decided not to go see any fireworks.  It's always too hot, crowded, and we didn't think Eli and Libby would like the loud noises.  No one was sad we didn't go see any.  The kids had so much fun doing sparklers in the backyard!  As a bonus, some of our neighbors were actually setting off real fireworks.  We grilled hot dogs, and had a totally mellow evening!

 

 My lovely homemade apple pie

  

 It was too hot to actually eat outside, but we had a bbq anyway.

  

  

  

 The smoke bombs were, wait for it, very smoky.  We only did two, but since there was no breeze, they lingered for awhile

  

  

  

  

  

 Even Eli got in on the action

  

 Standing on the top deck of the playset to check out the neighbor's fireworks

  

"Whoa, look mom!"

Galveston

After the wedding we decided to go to Galveston.  The little touristy beach town is only an hour from Houston, so how could we pass?  I love the beach, the kids love the beach, I knew we would have fun.  My dad and Susan came too.  We left Houston Sunday around lunch time.  When we got to our hotel, the room wasn't ready, so we waited for an hour or so in my dad's room.  Eventually our room was available, so we moved everything in, I got the kids changed, and Susan and I took the kids to the beach.  Fortunately she loves it too.  Apparently my dad is not a fan of the beach, so he didn't come down one time.  Even though it was around 5pm, the weather was still warm, and the water was warm!  I'm used to California beaches where as the sun goes down, it gets really cold (and the water is ALWAYS cold).  The beach at Galveston was exactly what I remember beaches to be like when I was a kid.  Dirty looking water, but so warm you could acutally enjoy it.  I thought the town was great.  It was full of junky souvenir shops, and it really catered to families.  In fact, the town was full of families, rich and poor.  I loved it.  It was so laid back and relaxed, it definitely did not have the snobby California attitude.  Believe me, I'm a snob, but it was nice to have everything be so real.  I'm so glad we got to go to Galveston. 

 

 Galveston is full of these amazing old houses.  They are still standing despite all the hurricanes.  So beautiful!

  

 View from our hotel room.

  

 "Hmmm, is this going to be cold?"

  

 Woohoo!

  

  

  

  

  

Jumpting waves

  

  

 I bought the kids boogie boards and they LOVED it.  The waves were small, so it was very manageable for them.

  

  

  

  

 
 

 Chandler checking out the hermit crab he found

  

  

  

 Cooperation!

  

Susan and Mady feeding the seagulls and making them flock

  

  

 We went to the aquarium at Moody Gardens.  The kids love aquariums, and it was fun to see all the sea life, especially the penguins, sharks, and sea turtles.

Cousin Annie's Wedding

Our whole reason for taking the trip to Texas was to attend my cousin Annie's wedding.  I was excited to see my cousins, , my aunts and uncles, my dad, and my brother.  We don't live close to my family, so even though I had to drive a couple thousand miles, I wanted to see them.  Annie's wedding was in Houston, the city where she grew up, and still lives near.  I had only been there a couple of times, but never as an adult.  It is definitely a huge city.  Everyone always seems to groan when they mention Houston, but I thought it was a nice place.  The wedding was beautiful, the reception was well attended, and it was great to see everyone.  My camera battery actually died, so I didn't get any pics at the actual wedding.  I know my Aunt Linda did, so I'm going to see if I can find some to post later.

 

Chandler before the wedding.  

 

Madelyn before the wedding

  

 Olivia beating up Uncle Jonathan

  

 Chandler and Madelyn beating up Uncle Jonathan

  

Down in the lobby waiting for PawPaw

  

Eli

  

Jonathan, his girlfriend Holly, Chandler, Eli and Mady on the table, my cousin Mary Claire, and Olivia

  

Olivia checking out a travel brochure

  

Jonathan and Chandler doing a puzzle

  

Mady and Libby checking out the travel brochures

  

Making wishes in the fountain

  

PawPaw took so long I had to break out the toys

  

That's the giant concrete ball in front of the hotel to keep cars from driving into the lobby.  Jonathan was getting it for Eli :)

  

Aunt Linda in the background, Mary Claire, and Haley talking to Olivia

The whole gang at the BBQ restaurant.