Enjoying the US of A

We've had lots of fun in Texas and Alabama, so much in fact that I've been forgetting to take pictures and have gotten lazy about blogging. I usually keep up with the pictures and blog to make sure all the grandparents can see what the kids are doing so when we're all together in person I have a tendency to forget about documenting the fun. I need to make sure I get lots of pictures of the kids playing WITH their grandparents, too!

While Matt and Ben were in Alabama, Alex and I enjoyed a stormy morning in Houston and he was excited to wear his rain boots.

We were in Wal-mart (hallelujah! one of many trips) during a downpour and Alex was thrilled to find a massive "puddle" (more of a lake, if you ask me) to splash in afterward. Naturally he was soaked up to his hips but he loved every minute of it. He got to go Australian to the next store and run around barefoot since he boots were holding gallons of water.

Our prize buy at Wal-mart - a kid sized air mattress and sleeping bag combo. Alex was immediately in love. He even wanted to use it to watch TV.

We also had a playdate with Riley, who would have been our neighbor if we hadn't moved four years ago.

These boys had a great time at the park throwing sweetgum balls into the fountain and watching them float away. Surprisingly, only one of the boys ended up in the fountain himself. And for once it wasn't Alex!

Alex, Reid, Riley, and Mandy. It was so much fun to see one of my childhood friends and watch our kids play together!

Alex and I joined the rest of the Kirkhams in Alabama for several days of fun in the woods.

The boys had a great time playing and rocking on the porch.

We even got to see Matt's cousin's son John Wallace, who came down from Tuscaloosa with his grandmother one day. He's nine and despite the age difference the boys all played wonderfully together. I guess no matter their ages, all boys love to play with balls, run, and build rocketships.

By far the boys' favorite activity was riding on the 4-wheelers. Grandpa got a new once recently (not the one in the picture) and it's big enough for all 4 of us to ride together. The kids couldn't get enough of it!

Back in Texas, Ben found a new addiction - a bike! My parents' neighbor generously passed down this little bike years ago and we finally pulled it out of the attic to let Ben try it out and we haven't gotten him off it since. The helmet took a little convincing but I want him to get used to wearing it because it's the law in Australia.

Alex took one try at the bike and realized it was too tall for him, so he's happily scooting around Grandma and Grandpa's driveway on this trike instead.

The azaleas are in full bloom here and the spring weather has been gorgeous. It's absolutely the best time to be in Houston, with the exception of the pine pollen (which I'd forgotten, not having seen it in four years) but thankfully that's pretty much gone now and all our allergies have cleared up. The boys are riding outside every possible minute and we're all loving being outdoors.

But maybe someone should tell Ben it's okay to take his helmet off when he comes inside for breakfast!

We're all enjoying the family time and great food in Texas. I'm heading out for the weekend to meet up with some of my best college girlfriends since we managed to find a few days when we're all in the state together, so the happy reunions continue!