Grandma & Grandpa

In March, Grandma and Grandpa Thompson were kind enough to make the trek to Texas to watch our four crazy kiddos so Tony and I could go on a cruise ... HEAVEN! They watched them last year for us so I was shocked when they said yes again! Mercy, they are gluttons for punishment! The kids had a blast, as always, and I think Grandma and Grandpa got a little bit of good out of the kids too!

 My Dad started a new thing last year when they came and unfortunately the kids now expect it each time they come. Grandpa has a 'grab bag' that they get to reach in and pick out something. The boys LOVE it (because it usually has a car or truck for them) and beg for it each day!

 Kai's eyes are bursting with anticipation!

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to watch the heathens! Tony and I are so indebted to you. We had fun, the kids had fun, sounds like we should do it again next month! You guys are the best!

She's 7!!!

So this, along with pretty much all other posts, are ridiculously late!  Her birthday was in February ... its now June. Whoops!

 Happy Birthday Aliya-loo! We sure do love you! You are a bundle of joy, energy and fun wrapped up in butt length hair! I always say you have more personality that 4 normal kids! You are so good to play with and entertain your brothers. You are very maternal and will make the best babysitter! Everyone at school wants to be your friend because you are so happy and fun to be around. I love how well you've done it school. You are confident in all you do and it is so fun to watch you overcome challenges! You LOVE math and science. You are always one to experiment and find out how things work!

 You love to do arts and crafts. You are always coloring or writing stories. You love makeup and anything girlie.  You insist on picking out all your own clothes. Some times they are pretty interesting but a lot of the times they are DARLING combinations. You did gymnastics this year and progressed pretty quick.  Your best friends are Lily and Faith. You LOVE food. You will eat pretty much anything. You are  so good to eat your fruits and veggies too ... even if it is just so you can eat more of the main meal. You love doing things yourself. You are the first kid to make a sandwich if you are hungry (and are always good to make something for others as well).

We love you so much kiddo and we are so thankful you are ours. Thanks for being the best 7 year old!

Campin!!!

 The end of February we went up camping with our Ward. It was a ton of fun! Our first year here I questioned why on earth we were going camping in February. I forgot we live in Houston where after March it is way too hot to camp. It really is the perfect time to go!

The Terry family brought up a hammock and it was by far the favorite thing there. The kiddos had fun laying in it. Here Kai and Victoria are chillin!

The kids also had a blast wrapping people up in it and trying to get them to do circles. I kept worrying that someone would fall out on their heads but luckily everyone survived!

I don't know why I love this picture. I think its because Blake is checking out all the crap that is required for an overnight trip. Each year I complain about all the hard work it is getting ready to go then all the time, energy, effort it is to clean up afterwards. Luckily the camping is so much fun or I doubt we'd do it.

I wish I had pictures to go along w this story but I don't. The day we were heading up camping Tony had me go get some sleeping bags (in the past they had just made do with blankets etc).  I ran to good old Walmart, grabbed some for the kiddos then spent my time reading about the adult ones. The sign said good for up to 6'4". I figured that would fit Tony perfect.  Fast forward to about 2 a.m. when the adults finally headed to bed. Tony was like a sardine in that sleeping bag. It was so tight it really was like a second skin AND it only came to his chest. I got a case of the giggles and kept laughing each time I'd look over and see him wedged into this tiny sleeping bag.  Poor man froze his tail off (Kai crawled into bed w me about 3 a.m. so he kept me warm). It was an extremely long night!!!