Galveston Weekend

We went to Galveston for the weekend of my birthday. We invited a few friends and ended up with 8 kids, ages 2-8 and only 7 adults. And three of those eight kids were 2 year olds! Yikes...what was I thinking??? Actually, everyone behaved very well and got along wonderfully! Especially since all the families didn't know each other...pretty miraculous - we had a great group. Cora had a blast with all the kids and climbing all the stairs. For the most part she went up and down them all by herself. When all the other kids would go upstairs, she would follow..slowly and hollar to them 'I coming'. It was really cute. By Sunday she let me carry her up and down some...I think she was getting sore, plus she was tired. I think we all lost a few pounds just from the stairs alone - it is a tall house!
Cora was stuck on her birthday for awhile, now it is Mommy's. If you mention the word 'birthday' she says 'Mommy's'.

Heading to the Pool! We loaded all the kids in my car and headed over to the pool for a little while on Friday night...to wear them out a little bit.

Kara, Michelle and Hayden playing video games Friday night.

Some of the kids playing Saturday morning in their PJ's. Cora, Justin, Mia, Jordan and Hope.

Cora and Peyton ate just about all their meals at the bar for some reason. They were two peas in a pod! They definitely have different personalities...which is understandable since Peyton is the youngest of three - she has big sisters to copy!

Cora played in the sand for a couple of minutes...

Mommy and Cora

Hayden, Hope, Jordan, Madison and Mia

Jordan, Madison, Hope, Mia and Peyton...

Cora was very content just sitting in the chair in the shade...out of the water and sand!

Justin wasn't real interested in the sand and water either.

We came back from the beach, took showers and ate lunch. It was too hot to do much and the little ones needed naps, so we turned on a movie and tried to sneak some into naps.

She took her nap in our bed on Saturday. She was fighting me, so I laid down with her...I think I fell asleep before she did. But at least I woke up before she did!

We used Amber's beach access, so we had a nice area to ourselves. It was great!

Cora went out in the sand a little bit with Kara on Sunday morning.

Cora's friends, Jordan, Madison and Peyton

Cora was freaked out by the sand. I think mostly because it was 'messy', but I think when it moves under your feet freaked her out some.

Peyton laying in the waves. She was so daring - it was cute. Amazing to see her and Cora so opposite though.

Miss Jordan M

Dennis took Cora out into the water and played in some of the waves. She was ok with that and had fun. He also taught her how to spit...nice.

Sunday after the beach...she was tired!

This is what a weekend at the beach does to Cora...

4th of July

We went to Nana and Grandpa's house for the 4th. Dennis wanted to shoot fireworks off the deck, so we went down and spent the night. Cora refused to wear her Red, White & Blue dress for the occasion, so I put her in a really cute watermelon outfit instead.
Cora, Nana and I stayed in and played with Nana's kitten...now named Taz (Tazzie), but Cora kept calling her Katie since she is black like our cat named Katie.

We wore her out and she actually took some naps.

Kathy, Dennis and Grandpa went fishing Saturday morning and caught a lot of fish!

Cora was making some funny faces at me.

And I started tickling her some to help...

Daddy got Cora her own fishing pole and they tried it out at Grandpa's pond. She had been playing with it in the house for the past couple of days to get familiar with it...

Reeling it in....

Needing a little help from Daddy.

While practicing at home, it had a cute little butterfly on the end, not a slimy fish!

She wasn't impressed with the fish...she is just like her momma...she can't help it and it doesn't mean Dennis isn't going to keep trying! She'll be hunting and fishing soon, I know it.

Daddy, Uncle David and Grandpa shot the fireworks off the deck. Cora was too tired and didn't really look at any of them. She just laid on me and was trying to go to sleep. Everyone else enjoyed them and there was only one minor accident...with one minor fire. Good thing we were over the water!

The Rainey's 4th of July Party

After Reid's party we headed to the Rainey's for a little 4th of July celebration. Everyone was ready to get in the pool!
Miss Julie L was having fun bouncing with Cora in the pool. Cora was having fun too - she kept asking to do it again and again and again.
Swimming with Daddy.

Jason, Mike and Brian hanging out in the pool.

Miss Jill doing motor boat with Cora.

Bella H about to jump in the pool. We thought it was cute because she pinches her nose shut as well as pinches her mouth shut.

Miss Jill holding Cora and her Bella. Little Bella got jealous that her mommy was holding another little girl. Cora shared nicely.

Brian in his fancy silver headband...

This was really making Mommy nervous...but Cora was having fun. She kept saying 'Again'.

Trying to show her how to float on her back, but she wasn't wanting to learn...she just wanted to play. Next year we are definitely doing swimming lessons!

Reid's 1st Birthday Party

On Friday afternoon we went to Reid's 1st birthday party. It was incredibly hot, so most of us tried to stay inside or at least cool off inside periodically.

Alex was scared of the dogs. She finally gave her Mom a break and sat on a stool for awhile.
Cora hanging out inside with the AC.

All the kids soaking up some of the AC and playing with the toys. Cora is on the left in the green dress.