Beach Bound

Every year we take a vacation with the The Winkenwerder Family! This year we decided to take a trip to the beach and headed to Port Aransas. We stayed at La Mirage and enjoyed every minute of our trip...The pictures will speak for themselves!

Our first stop was at the Aransas Pass Aquatic Center in Aransas Pass...

Uncle Wink checking out the diving boards - high & low spring boards


The kiddy mushroom hangout


The three slides - steep, fast, and my kind of speed


The Boys playing...
Colton doing a cannonball


Connor doing a pencil


Hi, Jake


Bryce hitting the slide


Then we hit Port A






















A sea gull poops on Bryce's arm...






We had a blast...how's your summer going?

Lost Pines......or Lost Pineapples

Over the Fourth of July weekend, the boys and I, Dusty and Mia, and GeeGee & Papa enjoyed a relaxing time in the hill country - Bastrop...The Lost Pines Hyatt Resort! There really aren't words that could describe how much fun everyone had - even the adults! The kids played in the water, showed us their swim moves, and tried to soak it all in! Of course we all forgot a camera at home, so our first stop was a Wal-Mart to purchase a quick camera to capture the weekend...and I might add that for a cheap one, it did pretty darn good!!! :)

Friday:










We tried for an early check in, but it didn't happen...they were very accommodating though and allowed us to change into our bathing suits and pass the time at the pool...thank goodness!!!











That evening the kids got to roast marshmallows and make smores. They loved it! I kinda did, too! Of course with the weather is 96 degrees, it's tough to enjoy the FIRE!! Then we headed back to the room and WENT TO BED!









Saturday:
They got to ride horses...it was quite an adventure for the guides! She shared with us that Bryce used to watch the cows give the bulls piggy back rides at the farm....she just laughed!






Then we enjoyed a day of fun in the sun some more...












We truly enjoyed our weekend and can't wait for the next couple of weekends...

Settled in....

I think it is safe to say that the adjustment to moving has been a success, but not because I didn't work at it!!! It wasn't easy! The boys were born & raised in the country-not anyone within miles of us, a tank & fishing pole at our fingertips, enough acreage that one could get lost, and only the sounds of frogs, birds, & cows!!! Heaven! So a move into town was scary-for all of us! I slowly eased the boys into it. We would talk about it, visit the new house, make decisions about it together, check on the progress, etc. Then over spring break, we made the move! The boys did well!! I gave Jason an extra weekend because the boys need to have the consistency! When theta have more than one weekend in a row with either of us & our routine is squished! That also gave me a chance to get REALLY situated!!! Since then I wonder how I've made it as long as I have living so far out!! CCD, baseball games & practice, grocery nights, just getting home is so much easier!! Plus, I'm pretty sure Mom & Dad a loving the fact that I don't have to camp out at their house!!

This weekend, I decided to bring Whiskey into town with us. Between Mom,Dad, & I we were making trips out to the farm to feed Whiskey & Goober. Well, it seems as though Goober got tired of us not being there and bailed!!! Whiskey handled it so well!! No accidents, no whinning, no barking, no problems!! Now we haven't left her for a full day yet, though! That may be the kicker....of course we don't have a fenced in backyard yet so........only time will tell!!

All Aboard

I will never hear the sound of a train, drink hot chocolate, or watch The Polar Express and not think of our trip tp Palestine!! Yes, it's in Texas...about two movies away from Shiner! A friend of mine & her husband (also a friend) took their kiddos there a couple of years ago & my mom fell in love with her pictures!!! Mom told me that she was going to take Bryce, Jake, & Mia there one day....well, December 4, 2010 was THE ONE day!!! Mom, Dad, Dusty, Mia, Bryce, Jake, and me loaded up & headed east-way east!!! The trip was worth every second as were the memories we made!!

We got there very early & sat & sat & SAT!! but it was so worth it!!! We sang Christmas carols & most importantly got really good seats!! They called us on board & so began our journey...hot chocolate & cookies soon followed along with singing & dancing in the aisles!!! Then we read the story of The Polar Express....then we arrived at The North Pole to pick up none other than Santsa himself!! He came down the aisle and handed each child their first gift at Christmas....the most precious thing I heard was Jake ringing his bell & says, "Mommy, I DO believe!!" that did my heart good!! EVERYONE had smiles on their faces...we couldn't help it! It was the start of a magical Christmas!!

You can view the pictures on Facebook under The Polar Express

Thanks GeeGee & Pappa for the trip that we remember daily....in fact we had hot chocolate this morning and Jake says "Allll aboarrrrrd"

Merry Christmas

Not really sure where to begin with catching everyone up!! It's been since August that I've updated. So here's the best I can do.....

Jake:
He is growing like a weed!! Every day is something new & interesting in his life! He is the sweetest, kindest, most loving child I think I know! He handles most everything that is handed to him-literally & figuratively!! He has continued talking up a storm. The most popular line is "I not mean. I niicccceeeee". Of course this comes out usually after he & Bryce have gotten into an argument and/or disagreement. He blames Bryce & then clearly states that he's "niiccceee"! The first couple of times I bought it...now it's just be come a joke!!

Jake loves footballs & baseball! In Wal-Mart-Mom & I took Bryce, Mia, & Jake to eat-Jake insisted that he have a metal bat just because. I did everything to change his mind: we have to go to Academy & get fitted for one, you don't want a red one, it's too small, etc. He didn't care! He wanted it....no, he didn't get it, but settled on a Nerf one.

Santa was very good to him!! Jason was very understanding & allowed the boys to stay one night with me over Christmas!! I so appreciated that:) The boys & I opened presents on the 23rd. Jake got his "whore"!!! Yes that is correct!!! Of course he has no idea what that word is & NEITHER DID WE!!!! He would get so mad when we would ask for clarification. He said you pull it apart, spin it around, & close it up real fast. Now, I'm not the most educated, but that sounds about right!!! In addition I can buy it at Target! He even told Santa & Father Bob this!!! As we would ask questions, he said it louder & with more emphasis!!! Well, after MONTHS of trying to figure this out....I took him to Target!!! Yay! We figured it out-a SWORD!!!! Yep-in Target, he announces, "Momma, my whore!" Yes, I immediately say,"that's what you were talking about." and send out a mass text to all those interested!!!

He also got Teddy bears and lots of toys....we were supposed to be downsizing!

Bryce:
Wow!! That about sums him up! He has become this little person that seems to understand life just like us...he is reading! Now as a reading teacher for NINE years, this pleases me!! Does he tease Harry Potter? No, but he is sounding out words & able to put sentences together!! This is a start!! Math...I'll be interested to see what the second semester brings.

Bryce also enjoyed his Christmas... He is at the age that he REALLY believes in Santa!!! My dad took him, Jake, & Mia for a mule ride so that we could put out the presents----TO LOOK FOR SANTA!!! Well, it worked! Dad said that he would see red & say,"maybe that's him", or hear a noise & make them think it was jingle bells.....I mean he had em going, which he's really good at!!!

Bryce got a DSiXL.....this was all he asked for!!! Of course, it's not all he got!! He really likes the Legos & remote control helicopter....that was something he & his Pappa were checking out one weekend! Lots of Mario stuff & more

All in all the gifts were appreciated & perfect for them! But we can't forget why CHRISTmas is what it is...and I hope to instill this in the boys!

Me:
I can sum it up in just a few amazing words.....God is good!!! Love MY life & MY boys!!!

My poor Jake! He always seems to have some type of problems...things always happen to him! Bryce was always sick and was always on medicine, but Jake is my if-it's-gonna-happen, it's-gonna-happen-to-me kind of kid!! Today I had him at the pediatrician...his pooper wasn't working very well! After many invasive exams, we ended up at the regional center for blood work...it all ended up being okay, but they kept the nasty sample for a couple of more tests. We'll see!

My big boy is about to start kindergarten!! He's ready for it, but a little apprehensive about what is going to happen...In a previous post, I mentioned that he has so many questions-and he does! He is in a really good class...many of the parents I know, and Bryce has played soccer, played baseball, and gone to CCD with many of the kids in his class! Oh, Mrs. Wenske! I hope that he has a great year, and I have very high expectations for him-that's the mom in me! The teacher in me says I hope that he learns many life long lessons and strategies to make him successful in life!