I have to start with one of my favorite photos of the kids when I caught them off guard in their cowboy/cowgirl hats and boots. The minute they realized I was taking a picture they tried to come out of the accessories.
They look so much older now, very much past the pre-schooler age now but still cute as ever.
I finally convinced them to take a proper picture in their cowboy/cowgirl hats and boots and it's another favorite. I can't help but feel nostalgic at these as I know these two are growing up faster than we can seem to keep up with them.
One of the first things we did this summer was meet up with my nieces Hayley and Hannah at their neighborhood pool. As usual with my family, it was all girls and Nathan. The kids had a blast and this was the beginning of Nathan and Bella starting to swim without their swim vests.
On another weekend we decided to take the kids to Galveston to meet up with my other nieces, Beatrix and Charlotte, to celebrate Hotel Galvez's 100th birthday. After catching some waves on Jamaica Beach first, we headed to the hotel festivities where the kids had some special ballons made. Bella chose a bracelet and Nathan chose an alligator. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the festival listening to some fabulously entertaining story tellers.
From there we went to our hotel, The Tremont House, which is a sister hotel to Hotel Galvez and just as interesting. It's nestled in the heart of Galveston Island's Strand Historic District which is a blend of 19th century charm and 20th century sophistication. A true gem in my book. Here are Nathan and Bella with Philip at the roof top cafe on top of the hotel.
Later that night we met back up with my sister and her family to watch the 100th birthday fireworks being set off at Hotel Galvez, which I might add were some of the best fireworks we have ever seen. The hotel really put it all out there for the 100th birthday. This was basically our 4th of July with the kids. In the photo below Nathan, Bella, and Beatrix are seemingly calm while we waited for the fireworks, but I can assure you this picture lies.
The next morning we got up and met my sister's family once again, this time at Stewart Beach. The kids did their usual playing in the sand and boogie boarding.
Next up was Father's Day weekend. Needless to say, it was a very special weekend for Philip. The kids and I worked on self portraits made from scrapbooking paper for Philip's Father's Day gift. They turned out fabulous and are now proudly displayed in their Daddy's office.
Here are Nathan and Bella with their Daddy for a Father's Day dinner at our favorite local restaurant. It was a fun but exhausting day which started at Hungary's for brunch with a friend and his kids, a birthday party for my best friend's twins Grace and Jack at Chuckie Cheese, a fabulous 1st birthday candyland party for Olivia, and finally dinner.
On Father's Day, the kids went back to Louisiana but we got them again three weeks later. One of the first adventures we had was to take the kids back to Discovery Green. We've been taking them there since they were four years old, and we were way overdue for another visit. Nathan and Bella posed for us in the middle of the green, which is precisely where their Daddy proposed to me on April 8th, 2010.
We had to make another trip back to the beach, and once again took the kids back to our favorite beach spot in Galveston (near Jamaica Beach).
And one of the biggest milestones of the summer, we finally got Bella riding her bike without training wheels! There she goes...and as promised Philip is looking for a new bike for her. When asked what color she wants she responded with gold and silver. Bling bling!
What other milestones did the kids accomplish? Well, they were swimming, diving, and going under the water to fetch water toys.
Here is Nathan diving into the water and immediately going to the pool floor to get his toys.
And Bella is doing the same...
They also spent a week at our church's vacation bible school where the theme was Route 66. Neither one of them could get enough of the Worship Jamz CD that they got the first day. We listened to it every time we got in the car and they made their Daddy play it on the way back to Louisiana.
VBS had family night at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink. I took this picture as I remembered my twin and I had our 7th birthday party at this same place almost 30 years ago.
And Nathan and Bella completed Level 1 of swim lessons! These lessons were the best investment of money and one of the activities that they both looked forward to the most.
I hope they will have the same fond memories as we do....
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