San Antonio

We were lucky enough to find a great deal for a trip to Sea World and headed down to San Antonio in July for a few days.  We dropped Newman off at his "hotel" and hit the road.  We arrived around noon and headed strait to the park.   Sea World has a new Sesame Street themed area for the kids.  They have kid sized rides and everything.  Johnny was so excited to see Cookie Monster - he just loves him.  I think he was a little star struck, it was really cute. Natalie loved it all too.  Ben, on the other hand wasn't too excited about all the Sesame Street hype (although I do think secretly inside he was loving it).

This is the Sesame Street Pirate Show........

.......and this is Johnny's face the entire time he was watching it.  He was just in awe of it all.  He LOVED it!

That night, after we checked-in to the hotel and got cleaned up, we headed to LuLu's.  I had seen it on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives and wanted to try one of their 3 pound cinnamon rolls.  Let me just say, the restaurant was a dive.  I don't think they have ever mopped that floor - it was super dirty, but it smelled like cinnamon.  Here are some pictures of us with our dessert.

Doesn't it LOOK good, well it didn't taste too good.  I was majorly disappointed.  It was dry, yeasty tasting and just not what I was expecting.  I was completely let down.  I guess I've just been spoiled all my life with my mom's yummy cinnamon rolls.  Hers win over this one easily.

Here we are the second day feeding the dolphins.  I've always wanted to do this and I had a great time, not sure anyone else enjoyed it as much as I did.

This is Natalie next to a baby sea lion.  There were a bunch of babies and Natalie just loved it.  Johnny saw this one from across the way and said "look Momma, they even have a dead one".  Nice, huh.  We had to explain that it was just sleeping, he didn't seem to care.  Natalie had to rush over to the other side to see it and have her picture taken next to it.

Fun at the Sesame Street splash park.

The third day there we went to the Alamo.  As soon as we got there Ben and Johnny wanted to head straight to the gift shop.  They weren't really interested in looking around - yet.  Johnny kept saying "Where's the buy shop?  Are we going to the buy shop now?".  

So we did go to the "buy shop" and bought the boys play guns.  While I was taking Natalie to the bathroom Thomas opened them.  Not sure what he was thinking and if it was really politically correct, but the boys had a good time running around the Alamo grounds pretending to defend it.

Oh ya, and also everywhere else in downtown San Antonio.  I finally had to tell Thomas that we better put them away before we get into trouble.  Ben's is a cap gun and he wanted to fire it, not the best idea in an urban setting if you ask me.

On our way home we stopped by the state capital. 

Johnny is looking at one of the pictures depicting a battle here (not unlike the pictures hanging in the government building in Parks and Rec, if you've seen that show).

Good times, good times.  I love being able to spend this time, and make these memories, with my wonderful husband and three amazing kids.  What a special time in our lives.  It goes by so quick and I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have with them.  They enjoy spending time with us now, not sure how long that will last - hopefully forever, but I'm sure there will be a time in the teenage years where it's not the case.  Never could understand people who want to take vacations without their kids, they'll be gone soon enough living their own lives.  Luckily for me, I married an amazing man who feels the same way.  

Ben's Baptism Day

I get a little choked-up thinking that it has already been 8 years since my little Ben wore this white outfit and now....

(Ben on his blessing day, he is almost 6 weeks old.  August 3, 2003.)

....he has worn this white outfit and has been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ben was baptized on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the Allen Stake Center.  He was very excited that he was able to share this special day with his cousin Elizabeth.  It was a very special day for our entire family and I (and my family) feel so blessed that we were able to share the day with so many family members and close friends.

Ben and his Dad

Ben and Elizabeth

Ben with Grandma and Grandpa Grumbles

Ben with Nana and Grandaddy Merrell 

Our family on this special day.  Notice none of the kids would cooperate.  Is it too much to ask for one nice picture of everyone?

Charlotte, Elizabeth and Natalie waiting for it all to begin.

My handsome Ben after his baptism in his new suit.  Doesn't he look so grown-up?  I just love it!

We are some proud parents.

After the baptism my sister and I had a luncheon for family and a few friends.  Melissa was so gracious to host it in her beautiful home.  I can not thank you enough Melissa.  It was beautiful.  Here are some of the goodies I made for the celebration. 

Grandma and Grandpa gave Ben a special "Memories of My Baptism Book".  He loves it.  He has already started filling it out with his memories of his baptism.  Here is an excerpt from that:

I was baptized July 2, 2011.  I was really happy after I got baptized.  I felt and was happy.  I knew I made the right decision.  Did you know that my feet came out of the water like my grandaddy?  I loved getting baptized......The best part was doing it with my cousin Elizabeth.  I loved getting baptized and getting the Holy Ghost.

Nana and Grandaddy gave Ben a baptism book with their baptism memories and testimonies in it. What a special gift!

It was a beautiful, sunny day that was filled with beautiful memories!

MVP

Ben was named MVP at his last baseball game (they won 11-1). The entire team did GREAT. CONGRATS to Ben, I couldn't be prouder of him!!

Ben's 8th Birthday Party

Ben turned 8 on June 24th and we celebrated with a laser tag party at Strikz. He had a WONDERFUL time. His "theme" was Pirates of the Caribbean, or as Natalie calls it Carrots of the Living Bean :) (that is why he is wearing a Capt. Jack Sparrow hat/wig). He had cupcakes with gold chocolate coins on them and gave everyone an eye patch, compass, earring and sword for their goodie bag. After the laser tag all the kids got playing cards to go and play some games or they could do laser tag again. I hope everyone had a great time celebrating this special day with Ben.

Happy Birthday Ben - I LOVE YOU!!