It's Bluebonnet time!

Time is flying by for me. It seems like Christmas was just over and now here we are at Bluebonnet season. This is a big thing here in the Houston and surrounding areas. People drive from all over to find just the right field of Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and other wildflowers, mainly the Bluebonnets, to take their yearly photos. We go down 290 about an hour West of here, near Brehnam. We ended up at the same spot we went to last year. It's a field behind a custom log home builder. This year they added some new things, no trespassing signs! Did that stop us?? No way. We just circumvented the signs and got some great pictures. I have to remember for next year to have the kids wear close toed shoes. There were ant piles everywhere.
Jacob and Jordan enjoyed taking pictures this year, for the most part. After Rob and I stopped trying to have them sit our way and just let them be themselves, we got some really lovely photos.
Hope you enjoy them.

Jacob took these last two pictures.

Thanks for taking a look at our photos. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. What one was your favorite?

Just being kids

Sometimes I get so caught up in raising Jacob and Jordan, having good manners, teaching them not to hit each other, don't sream NOOOOOOOOO at Mommy every time I tell you to get dressed and brush your teeth, 4 year olds shouldn't know how to lie already, that I forget that they really are fun to be around. These pictures remind me to just play with them!!

At home pedicure

This was very serious painting going on. He went through 3 other brushes trying to get just the right one to paint the lines on his legs.

She's a budding face painter

I think they both were a little surprised that I didn't make them stop painting all over themselves

I love having them putting their hand and feet prints all over the paper. When the "artwork" has dried I go back and cut out smaller sections and hang it in their playroom. I like seeing their hands and feet all over the walls.



Rob has taken a new job with his employer. He moved his office to a location in the Galleria area. A lot more driving in the Houston traffic. One thing that has worked out great is that he gets to go into work much earlier and leave much earlier than his previous job. It also helps him avoid the brunt of the traffic. Anyway, this new time schedule allows us to eat earlier and let the kids go outside and play before its time to get ready for bed. One of the things all 3 of them really love to do is hit golf balls, go figure. It fun to see them really paying attention to what Rob is saying. You can really see Jacob concentrating and keeping his eye on the ball, as his Dad tells him all them time.

I think the tongue in the cheek must make him hit it harder

He really got a hold of that one. It went across the street into our neighbors yard. The other day our side neighbor, Robby, was coming out of his driveway in his truck to leave and Rob tells Jacob to try and hit Mr. Robby's truck on his next drive. So Robby is in front of our house and you hear this loud THUNK. Well, Jacob did indeed drive his next ball right into the side of his truck. Lucky for us it's a work truck ball didn't hurt it. Rob was so proud.

The next day was kind of rainy and cold. The kids decided it would be a good day to practice casting into the pool.

He is so darn cute!

Princess Jordan taking a little rest while Jacob fishes

Well, so much for that. All tangled up!

Here is Jacob's very first attempt at trying to ride a bike with out training wheels. Actually, I was running with him when he first decided to try it. He actually went by himself, I let go, and when he realized that he put on the brakes and almost fell. I ran inside to get the camera and have him try some more. If we could just get him to not brake he could really go. He's so ready.

Aunty Cathy bought Jacob and Jordan some new rain coats and boots. As luck would have it, it rained here. Serious rain, lightning and lots of thunder. But after it was over there were lots of great puddles to explore.

Kicking his boot off was hysterical to Jacob. He was doing it over and over and over just laughing away.

The dishes can wait! Go out and play with your kids.

Paw Paw and Gigi come to town

Paw Paw, Gigi and their dog Shadow came to visit us from Crystal River, Florida!! They made the 16 hour trek and arrived late Sunday night. Jacob and Jordan were super excited to spend time with them.They also thought it was great that their dog was coming to stay here also. We really had to make sure they knew that Shadow was an older dog and they needed to be very gentle with her. Shadow can see very much and doesn't hear either. It turns out that the kids were great with her. Very gentle and really liked to help feed her and give her treats. Our dog, Nicholas, got more treats while they were here that he has is his whole life!
Anyway, we had a great visit with my Dad and step-mom. Here are some pictures I took of all the fun things we did.

Jordan is so happy that Gigi is finally here. Joan looks pretty happy also, even though it's 7:00am!!

Here's Jacob showing Shadow his cars. Remember, Shadow can't hear or see very well.
Jacob didn't seem to mind.

Everyone knows that if you come to visit us the kids are going to insist that you get in their trampoline with them. This visit was no exception.

Even Paw paw got in there!

Paw paw scored BIG brownie points when the kids found out her drove a convertible

When you ask Jacob what sport he wants to play, maybe soccer or baseball? Nope, football. And not just any football, tackle football!!

He wasn't even in time-out.

Rob gets a taste of Wii

Here's a video of Paw paw and Jacob

It was RODEO time while Art and Joan were here. So we dragged them down there to check out cows, chicken, tractors and stuff. Of course, it was cold the day we went. Dad was dressed for surfing and could have used some mittens!

The kids insisted I take their picture with this statue. This is Vivian L. Smith and she liked baseball.

At the rodeo

Here's Jordan standing in line to ride the ponies. What a poser!

They are next in line. Finally.

Howdy cowgirl

Howdy cowboy

There are all kinds of animals to pet at the rodeo. We had gone into the petting zoo before standing in line to ride the ponies. Not good. The big goats were so aggressive that both kids were crying and wanting to get out of there. This bunny seemed right up their alley.

You can't go to the rodeo and not get to sit in a tractor.

Even the girls think sitting in a tractor is cool.

LOVE THIS SHOT!!!

It's lunch time. This ear of corn started out mine. Jacob ate everything in site that day.

Jacob grabbed a hold of both of them and pulled them right in for this photo. It was great.

Going over some of the fun things they collected

Show down at the Houston Rodeo water squirters

Who's going to win?

It's amazing what a 4 year old can talk you into doing

Jacob is not happy on this ride. After he got off of this he let us know that he was not going on anymore high rides! Hopefully he will get over this before we go to Disney World.

Who doesn't like the Dumbo ride? We were one ticket short for this ride. I swear if I hadn't gone and purchased more tickets the carnival man would have held Jordan and Gigi hostage!!

The hall of mirrors. Lots of giggling and banging heads inside there. J and J thought this one was fun.

This was a little obstacle course thing. We went in this about 3 or 4 times.

Catching fish with Paw paw while Jordan gets her face painted.

They caught a big yellow one and earned Jacob a light saber. Really a whack your sister stick!!

Here she is......Magenta from Blue's Clues

Time to go home, we have enough stuff now.

This cowboy has also had enough of the Rodeo!

The day after the rodeo I figured we need to have a down day and let everyone recover. So, Gigi and I took Jacob to get his hair cut and Jordan stayed at home with Paw paw to watch some movies.

Time for a round of Gator Golf

Jordan got to do Gymnastics also. She was making up a ballet class. Perfect time for Joan and Art to come and watch them.

The Nestee Plunge

Backward roll time

Now it's time for bowling. Never ending fun here in Houston!

Well, that's one way to bowl.

Jacob getting another spare. He legitimately beat ALL of us!! How embarrassing.

We all had a great time while Paw paw and Gigi were visiting. We hope they come back and see us soon.