Hot in Houston!

We spent the second half of our Houston trip at Grandma and PaPa Doffing's house. It was quite hot while we were there so we tried to find activities that involved air conditioning or water. So, we took the kids to the Children's Museum. They really enjoyed all the activities but it was just so crowded. Graham, Bryce and Layne also really love having their cousins, Haley, Hunter and Abby around to play with. 6 children all under the age of 6 keeps everyone entertained and busy!

Here are a few pictures from the museum and backyard fun.

On a side note, Graham rock climbed 3 different times while we were in Houston. I was surprisingly shocked to see how good he has gotten at it. I think the Rock climbing camp he did in early June really paid off.

Surfs Up, Dude!

We finally made it to a beach! The kids having been asking to go to the beach all summer and so we made a day trip down to Galveston. Hurricane Ike destruction was still present but you can definitely tell that Galveston is working hard to get back to normal as soon as possible. Graham, Bryce and Layne had such a good time with their cousins, Jacob and Jordyn, Aunt Aimee, Grandad and Nona. The weather was perfect! Not too hot and we had some cloud coverage so we did not feel like we were baking in the sun. They are already asking when they can go again! Surfs Up!

The only picture with all 5 kids all together!

Layne

Graham and Grandad enjoying a snack.

Jacob and Graham

Bryce running from the waves.

Jordyn and Jacob

Bryce

Graham

Bryce and Nona

Layne

Graham

Layne

Layne, Bryce and Jordyn relaxing after a wonderful day at the beach!

Crafts at Casa de Doffing

The kids spent the entire morning making bracelets and necklaces. This was the easiest craft project to date and it took up the most time. They loved making the bracelets for themselves as well as gifts for others.

Happy faces

silly faces

sad faces

Independence Day

We were so busy celebrating our nation's independence that I only took 4 pictures the whole day. I was really bummed that I did not take more. We went to our friends' house, Rach, Gabe and KK and swam and ate all afternoon and evening. Graham declared it the best party ever and I do not have any pictures to prove it! Afterwards we went and enjoyed some fireworks. This was the first time we let the girls stay up and see the fireworks. Everyone loved it! On our way to the party~Layne took a cat nap to get her energy up for all the partying she was going to do.

Graham. Bryce and Layne watching the fireworks atop our car. They thought is was so neat that we let them crawl through the sun roof and sit on the roof top.

Ms. Mimi makes us SWIM!

Graham has been taking swimming lessons for the past 3 years from Ms. Mimi. The girls joined in on lessons this year since they are now 3. Everyone was very excited to start. Graham knows the routine so he had no problems starting where he left off last year. Layne followed suit and was AWESOME in the water from day 1. Bryce loved the first 10 minutes of the first day and then Ms. Mimi made her go underwater. Bryce plus underwater equals crying and lots of it for about the first 4 classes. AND then it happened...Bryce would go underwater without crying and now she swims confidently underwater! Thank you Ms. Mimi, you work miracles!

Macomb Madness part 2

The Carney Rides:
The best part of visiting is going to Heritage Days and spending every last penny riding rides. Graham is now tall enough to ride all the rides at this carnival. However, when Graham asked to ride this ride I said, "NO!" I rode that same ride 2 yrs ago with Jordyn and it was awful. It made me so sick so there was no way I wanted my 5 yr old child on it. But I was with the girls riding a roller coaster and Graham asked Brian and he said, "YES!" That is Graham at the top of this ride. I could barely watch...but when I saw his face hit the "bar" that was supposed to be protecting him I came unglued. I demanded they stop the ride and pulled him off that horrible ride. That is right. I was that mom screaming to stop the ride. Embarrassing yes but it had to be done! Graham had a bruise across the bridge of his nose from smacking the metal bar. 3 groups total got off when I took Graham off so I was not the only one concerned. The carny running the ride said, "This ain't no ferris wheel!"

This is more my speed for Graham. He loved the huge slides. He also enjoyed the haunted house.

Bryce and Layne were able to participate this year as well. The last time we came here the girls were only 1 and just strolled around in their strollers. This year they had a blast!

Bryce and Daddy right after flying down the slide.

The dynamic duo~ Jacob and Graham

Layne and Daddy right after the slide.

Graham and Jacob

The Parade:

One morning we headed to the local parade downtown. The kids were very excited at all the loot they would collect...CANDY!

Bowling:

One afternoon Brian and Granddad took the kids bowling, while I hung out with my cousin, Patty and my sister. The kids had a ball. Bryce and Layne have never been bowling before so they were beyond ecstatic to join in this time around.

Look at those happy faces. They are ready to bowl!

The end:

After several fun days in a small town, it was time to say goodbye and head back to the airport to make the 2 hour flight home.