Steenbakkers~ The adopted cousins

After we spent time with Ashley in Flower Mound (see previous post), we drove to Mansfield to stay with some friends.  Shauna is another one of my good friends that I met 14 years ago in College.  They have moved around the last few years but one special move was when they moved from Colorado to Utah for 6 months.  They moved for her husband's job but I think that the Lord wanted them there to help me through a difficult time in my life.  Shauna's husband's mother passed away from cancer a couple years prior to my mom's passing from cancer.  They had been through it all and knew exactly how to help someone dealing with this.  It was so nice to be able to have someone to talk to that knew what I was feeling.  They moved to Dallas about a month after my mom passed away.  And we moved to Houston 3 months later.  We try to see each other a couple times a year.  My kids actually think that her kids are their cousins. 

We swam and swam.  Madelyn jumping off the diving board.

Cannon ball
Surfing
1,2,3 jump!
Garrett loves their dog.  He wanted to bring Bruiser home.  
The girls!  Shauna didn't want a picture taken with a hat on.  Don't worry Shauna, I'll only put it on my blog!  
Bowling!  Alycia was so happy to beat the boys!

Alycia (7), Carter (9), Christopher (8), Easton (5), Garrett (7) and Madelyn (4)
The kids boys had their own home run derby in the back yard.  We tried a sno-cone with pickle flavor juice (GROSS) and stayed up late watching chick flicks. (her husband was out of town and we left Matt at home to hold down the fort).  We had a great visit.  We put the car on cruise control and headed home (Madelyn slept the whole 3 1/2 hrs). We were grateful that Hurricane Dolly's rain did not hit us until we got home.  

Cousin Time

Sunday we drove up to Dallas to visit my cousin Ashley.  Ashley lives in Flower Mound and has lived there for about 9 years.  She is my aunt Cindy's daughter.  We are only a year apart and spent lot's of time growing up together.  During High School, she was in a serious car accident and was in a coma for several weeks and so she has lost most of her memory prior to the accident.  She was married shortly after high school and moved immediately away with her husband to attend school at Duke.  So, she doesn't really remember her childhood when we would have spent time together.  She was asking questions all about what we did together.  I wasn't in an accident but my memory is gone too and so I told her what I remembered.  I guess I could have made up some wonderful stories.  Anyways, we had a great time talking and spending time together.  

This is a picture of my mom, her sisters and grandma.  (my mom is left, aunt Cindy, aunt Judy and Grandma Berg).  I love how Grandma is looking at her daughters in the picture and not at the camera.  She was so proud of her daughters.  (this picture was taken 12 years ago)

Natalie and Ashley
We went to the Rainforest Cafe for Lunch.
It was Ashley's son's birthday this week so we celebrated with the volcano!
We played glow in the dark putt putt golf.
Ashley, Madelyn, Matthew (8), Will (10 months), Palmer (6), Christopher, Garrett and Natalie
My kids had a fun time hanging out with their cousins.  Madelyn was Ashley's little shadow. Ashley always wanted a little girl named Madelyn....I said she could keep her for a while if she wanted.  

Rodeo Time

Saturday we went to the College Station/Bryan Rodeo with Chad and his family.

Madelyn and Hayley are too cute together!
Riding ponies
Hang on!
No hands!
Feeding the animals
Can he eat with the cup shoved in his mouth?
The kids love the rodeo clowns.  The next day they kept talking about how funny they were.  

Happy Birthday Pappaw Griffiths

I asked the kids what the first thing they think of about Pappaw Griffiths

Christopher: Riding the lawnmower with Pappaw in Ohio

Garrett: Sitting by Pappaw at the Astros Game

Madelyn: Playing puzzles with Pappaw

We'll see you next week, Pappaw!

Madelyn and Michael

Our neighbors moved to Malaysia a few months ago.  Maddie has really missed her friend, Michael.  Michael's dad came to visit this weekend for a wedding so we were able to visit with him. Michael sent this dress for Madelyn.  Thanks Michael!  We Miss you!

Michael and his brother Nolan in Malaysia.  
Roary, Maddie and Michael hanging out. She's just one of the boys!

From snow to sun

14 years ago I met Leigh in college.   We spent lot's of time bundled up in our puffy coats to keep warm.

14 years later, we are still great friends.  Leigh is from Spring, Texas but when I moved to Texas she moved to Utah.  Bummer.  I still get to hang out with her when she comes to visit her family.  And now we spend our time in the sun instead of the snow.

Leigh is here visiting this week and it has been fun to see her.  She had her third baby 8 weeks ago so it's been fun to see him too.  Tonight we are going to dinner and to see Mamma Mia!

I've seen a lot of kid movies this summer so I am excited to see a movie not geared toward the eight and under crowd.  Wish me luck!

Fireworks Galore

Our neighbors really know how to put on a firework show.  

The kids were excited to see the fireworks.
This is only part of the stash...
The men enjoyed lighting the fireworks probably more than than kids enjoyed watching them.
What's a 4th of July without sparklers?

Oil Ranch

We spent 4th of July at the Oil Ranch with my brother Chad and his family. 

Matt playing miniature golf with Christopher.

Uncle Chad pushing us on the swings.  
Ring the bell, Christopher.
Feeding the goats.

Riding Horses

Thanks for inviting us.  We had a great time!

One of our all time favorite summer treats...sno cones.  

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.

Red Hot and Blue Parade

The best part about the parade is the loot that is handed out.

and sometimes the characters...
My mom would drag us to every parade and I must have that drive in me too...
Do you love a parade?

Houston Symphony's Star-Spangled Salute

We love the outdoor pavilion.

Proud to be an American
Can you whistle the Colonel Boogey March?
I can see you Madelyn...

Drive in

This weekend we headed out to the Drive in to see Wall-E.

Matt enjoying his pre-movie dinner.
We brought a blow up mattress for the back of the truck and the kids all hung out in there.
This was my first visit to a drive in so I thought I would try out the back of the truck too...
We had a fun time and plan to do it again.
Am I the only one that hasn't been to a drive in before???