The Big D - SeaLife Aquarium

As hot as it has been in Houston this summer, it is even hotter in Dallas.  The Saturday we spent in town the temps were in the 110s.  We decided to look for an indoor activity and landed on the SeaLife Aquarium at Grapevine Mills Mall.  Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones with the idea.  The line to get in was about a two-hour wait.  The season pass holder line was empty, so let's just say, we'll be making a few more trips to Dallas this year. 

It was a pretty nice aquarium, and Noah had fun running around.  He especially loved the stingray exhibit. 

He was not that much of a fan of the glass-bottomed shark tunnel, so we passed through this exhibit pretty quickly. 

Fish, fish everywhere.

Emma had fun too!

Thanks Daddy for braving the crowds.

And thanks Noah for being such a good boy.  This picture below makes me so proud, my heart hurts.  The place was seriously packed, and Noah and I strolled with Emma across the mall while Daddy reparked the car.  I still can remember not too long ago having to chase/carry/stroll this guy through malls.  How far he's come!  I love you, Noah!

The Big D - Hotel Living

We spent last weekend in Dallas.  It was a quick trip to see the Laurie Berkner Band in concert, but we also got to visit old friends, meet our new baby girl cousin, hit up the aquarium, and most importantly get in some quality hotel time. 

Here are the kiddos all loaded up in the car.  Can I just brag a bit and say that I am so proud of my kids being the... Best. Travelers. Ever.  Noah is a seasoned pro, and little E at a mere two months is proving to be just as much of a pick up and go child as her big brother. 

We headed out late Friday evening after Daddy got off of work.  I decided to load up the car while waiting, and Noah was so excited.  He kept asking me, "want to go on a trip?"  I would say, "yes, we are going on a trip, but we have to wait for Daddy."  He would reply, "Let's go!"  I had to redirect him from wanting to wait in the car, which was parked in the garage, by having him fill up his backpack with stuff for the drive.  That backpack stayed on his lap for the 5+ hours it took us to get to Dallas.  Sweet, sweet boy!

So, here's the thing.  My husband loves hotels.  It's kind of his thing.  So, if we are visiting a town near you, please don't get your feelings hurt when we decline an offer to stay at your house.  Dean likes hotels.  And, he is passing this love onto his children. 

Here is Noah enjoying an elevator ride up to our room.

Here is all the "stuffs" that made it into Noah's bag by the end of the trip.  Pencils from home.  No. 2 pencils and a Batmobile from Uncle PNut.  A seahorse notepad and pencil, sea creatures, octopus pencil and a truck from the SeaLife aquarium.  Noah loves his "stuffs," and spent a good deal of time setting up all his stuff perfectly and then loading it back into his backpack.  It's kind of a new thing for him. 

Here is Noah's cozy spot where he slept all night and didn't get up once to come into our bed.  Maybe Momma could find a love for hotels too.

Hotel living rocks!

Emma didn't miss a beat with the change in locale.  I guess a pack-n-play's a pack-n-play as long as Momma is there to feed her in the middle of the night.

Surprise... It's a Girl!

Dean has one cousin on his mother's side, who we lovingly refer to as Uncle PNut. Through the years, I have heard many a tale of all the shenanigans Dean and Uncle PNut have gotten into.  Well, surprise surprise... Uncle PNut is now a dad. And, there are two little second cousins all ready to make some memories of their own.

Welcome to the world, Peyton Olivia. Born exactly two months behind her cousin Emma. How fun is that!  Congratulations Uncle PNut and Aunt Christine! We are so happy for you both, and we know you will make awesome parents.

Peace, Love, Ice Cream

Met up with our friends for a ice cream treat to beat the heat.

Noah was loving his friend Henry.

And he was loving his cotton candy ice cream cone. 

Ice cream with friends = awesome!

Don't forget about super cute Molly! 
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All Eyes on Me

You know those cd's you can buy with music personalized with your child's name? We have one. With our constantly changing playlist, I'm surprised that cd has never made the rotation. I pulled it out on one of our recent road trips, and Noah loved it. His face lit up every time he heard his name being sung. One song has the lyric, "it's all about... (pause to fill in the child's name) Noah." Noah sings that line nonstop... pause and all. It always makes me laugh.

On a related note, Emma is all eyes for Noah. I guess I never really thought about the whole big brother thing from Emma's perspective. Everyone always asks what Noah thinks about her and not the other way around, but Emma loves Noah. When he bounces into her line of sight. It's all about Noah.




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Sunday Funday

I love hanging out with my little family on the weekend.

Photo-Op Interrupted

I figured it was time to post a few new pictures of Emma.  I think it really is true you take less pictures of the second child.  However, I firmly believe my picture quality has way improved.  Thanks to an upgraded camera and a few new photoshop tricks.  

And, listen up little miss... a girl should always takes quality over quantity. 

Just a few words of wisdom from your Momma, Em.

And, what can I say about big brothers?  Well, he was here first, so he feels like he gets first dibs on it all.  He wasn't really coming in for a hug, he was actually trying to move Emma off the blanket, so he could lay down on the green blanket.

I did convince him to put her down share the space.

We are still working on the "hands quiet" thing.