Beach Days

So here is the first installment of our beach vacation pictures. My computer is acting a bit wonky so we will see when I can get the rest of them up. We had a great time playing in the water, building sand castles, riding bikes, and eating lots of ice cream. :o) Perfect vacation. And it made it even better to share the time with Betsy and Kate and Carson aka Dancing Kate and Carsie! In fact, that seems to be the only part that Marin remembers. :o) We saw our neighbor friends and they were asking her about the ocean and sand castles and swimming. Her only response was "my Kate and Carsie".  Our kids LOVE their cousins in big ways. Makes me happy. 

August

So, there are a lot of pictures in this post. It covers most of our August though. We are so enjoying being in Texas. It has been a fun summer playing with new friends, swimming, and getting all settled in our home. Looking forward to fall and all the fun seasonal things to come!

I found this wooden blocks at a yard sale for basically nothing. Still a favorite toy in our house.
We build castles all the time. Here's her tallest one yet. (The flash on the camera was too bright apparently.)

And knocking it down!

Another old yard sale find that keeps on kicking...our old Little People bus.
They can fight over this one. But Marin was asleep and Hollis got it all to herself!

Some play-do and toothpick fun. 

Marin made some shapes with toothpicks. 

Burke surprised me BIG TIME by flying my sister in for my birthday. Shocked.
We had the BEST time laughing and lounging.
This was the only picture I got of her visit?!?!? But it says a lot. Marin with her feet all propped up on Aunt Cissy reading her book. The girls had just has much fun if not more with Cissy! She could definitely become a favorite toy around here. 

I found a little play house for the girls and I am so excited about it. Cooler days are coming and we can spend some fun playing time outside!

It has a mail slot and a working door bell. We have fun. 

Hollis LOVES baby dolls! She usually is toting one around everywhere she goes. 

It has become our early morning routine to play in the "outside house".  It's actually feels pretty great in the mornings.
So we drink our coffee while the girls play. 

Marin circled the Aa in the picture. 

Graham and Baby Taylor came over to play. We love Graham and Taylor. 

Marin loves using the magnifying glass to find the shapes in the "safari".

Then we had a play date with MaKenna. Texas is friendly! We could have lots of play dates. The girls are loving it!

Giving hugs good bye!

A little popcorn and show time!

Our sweet Graham!

Another play date. They all play SO VERY GOOD together!
It is really fun to watch! 

And....we just got back from the beach with my sister-in-law and her kiddos. We had a blast and have about a zillion pictures to come from that trip. :o)

More Summer

Just a few pictures to keep grandparents happy. 

I love how excited Marin gets to help out Dad with the recycle bin. ;o)

I found some bubble makers on sale at Walgreens for the end of the year.
The girls just push a button and it blows bubbles....waaaaay easier than them trying to blow
(or in Hollis' case...eat the bubble wand).

Hollis cleaning the window.

Marin loves her pet puzzles. 

Some poker chip fun. 

Marin and I went and saw Flat Stanley the Musical at the high school. It was cute.

A little sweaty Hollis from some outside play time. It's hot here. :o)