July 4th Weekend 2013

For the long 4th of July holiday weekend my dad took us all to San Antonio for a family vacation.  We had a great time!

The fam drove up Wednesday night and JW and I met them Thursday morning at our hotel on the Riverwalk. Once we dropped our bags off and grabbed lunch, we walked over to tour The Alamo.

They had a lot of patriotic festivities at The Alamo for July 4th. We enjoyed fresh Popsicles which really hit the spot on such a hot afternoon. They also had several tents with people dressed up and talking about life as it would have been like at the battle of The Alamo. We even got to see a live gun firing demonstration. It was really loud but very cool.

After The Alamo, we loaded up in the car and drove to the Outlet Mall in San Marcos. We all had a good time shopping, of course. We grabbed dinner on the way back to San Antonio and then headed up to the roof of our hotel to watch the fireworks. They went off at a park downtown and we had a great view. It was beautiful.

Friday, we started off the day early and headed to Six Flags. Hunter had never been to an amusement park or riden roller coasters so that was a lot of fun to be with him to experience that for the first time.

JW was our navigator for the day, quite a task for this crew. :) He did a great job and took us straight to the back of the park to start off while most people were in the front working their way back. We didn't wait in many lines at all until after lunch. It was awesome. Riding roller coasters as an adult is certainly a different experience than it was when we were kids. It didn't take many rides to make me feel old. I had to pace myself for sure.

Hunt was just tall enough for Superman and was so proud. 

 

JW was the only one with the stomach to ride SCREAM with Claire, a ride that shot them straight up to free fall back down. It was fun to watch them, but no thanks!

We all enjoyed the log ride. Nice and easy and even cooled us off. We planned to hit the water park after lunch but it was packed! By about 3:00 we decided we'd had enough fun and weren't up for braving the masses. We headed back to the hotel to lounge by the pool. Then, we showered and got ready for dinner and walked to Landry's on the Riverwalk. It was yummy. You know we stopped to take pictures on the way back. 

Girls

Boys

We told them to strike a manly pose and I just love this picture. Their personalities are so well captured in each of their expressions. They're so fun. 

Me and the hubs

Saturday morning the girls slept in, had breakfast and went shopping while the guys golfed. We all had a great time!

We packed up and headed back home Saturday afternoon. It was certainly a fun-filled trip and not even the end of our weekend. 

Sunday was Macie's sweet 16th birthday so we got to meet up with the family to celebrate at The Cheesecake Factory. She's now a licensed driver... Beware! :)



We are thankful for our wonderful families and the great memories we made together over this weekend!

Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago and had a lot of fun.  My birthday fell on a Monday this year, so the celebration started over the weekend.  It was fun to spread it out! 

We hadn't been to the beach yet this summer, and I'd been wanting to, so on Saturday JW took me.  We got up and headed out fairly early and spent the morning on the beach in Galveston.  I set up camp with my towel and a book in the sand while JW took off to explore.  It wasn't long before he was out of sight.  There is just something about the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves that just feels like summer fun.  It was great.  We enjoyed jumping over waves and walking on the shore together.  Then, we packed up and headed to lunch.  JW surprised me and we went to the Rain Forest Cafe on the seawall.  We went there on prom weekend when we were dating in high school one year, so it was a fun memory to re-live.

 

Then, on Sunday after church, we headed over to my parents house for a yummy lunch and afternoon by the pool.  My dad made his famous steaks with beans and baked potatoes and I got to open presents... a new stud earing for my cartilage and Marshall's gift cards (which you know I spent in no time)!  It was delicious and we had a blast together as a whole family. 

 

 



Let me paint the picture for you: Girls- at one end of the pool laying out on floats in the water but trying not to get splashed, girl talk, reading, you get the picture. Boys- in the shallow end playing basketball, making lots of noise, competing against one another in game after game of h-o-r-s-e.  So, at one point a creative basketball shot becomes making a basket with me on Hunter's back.  He makes it.  So, Taylor and JW have to follow.  Taylor ups the ante by suggesting Hunter get on my back.  Taylor made it.  So, then it was JW's turn.  I don't remember if he made it or not, but it was an adventure.  Needless to say, there is never a dull moment when we are all together, and I love it.  JW and I would love to have a house like this one day... full of lots of love and memories and never quiet.

 

Are you laughing?  How can you not?

 

Monday was my actual birthday and in true birthday tradition, JW woke me up with breakfast and presents in bed.  He gave me tickets to four different musicals that we can go see together throughout the next year.  I am very excited!

 

 



My co-workers and friends made me feel special at the office too.  Sweet notes, a sign on my door, candy, a cookie delivery from Shay Bear, and mom and Claire to take me to lunch and for a quick Marshall's run of course.  JW picked up take-out for dinner, Momma Hance came over to give me her gift... tickets to see Michael Buble in concert in October (eek!!!) and my mom came over to watch The Bachelorette with me.  It was a good day and a great birthday!  Thanks to all the friends and family who made it special!  Love you!

Happy Independence Day!

We are on the road headed to San Antonio for some July 4th fun with my family! Hope you have a great day enjoying friends and family.

I am so thankful for our country's rich history and for the men and women who serve and have served to protect the freedom we enjoy. This holiday is a great reminder of the sacrifice given by so many and also of the freedom we have in Christ. 

Through Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross we are able to enjoy a relationship with God. I am so grateful. We have been learning about the relationship of God as our Father at church. As Christians, we are sons and daughters of God and are given an inheritance that we certainly did not earn. Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice and the freedom we enjoy in a relationship with you because of it.  

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:6-7