A Hiking We Will Go

Allen took Katrina and Abagail on an overnight camping/hiking trip.
They invited friends, Jerry and Jerilyn McNulty, to accompany them.
No one else was invited...brothers...mom...

Dad went all out for this trip. The girls were soooooo excited when their gear began arriving via mail...backpacks, sleeping bags, water bladders, flashlights. It was like Christmas (it should have been Christmas - according to mom ;)


Abagail, Jerilyn, and Katrina sacked out on the way to camp.


Hi Ho, Hi Ho, a hiking we will go. Packing their gear on the trail.


They went to Bastrop State Park, about 1 1/2 hours away. They hiked a total of 8 1/2 miles. Half one day, then camp, half the next day to return to the car. It was primitive, no water - only a trail. Allen brought a water filtration pump in case they needed more water. The only supply were some brown, icky, stagnant ponds. I am so glad they brought enough - didn't want giardia to marr their first outing.

Lots of nature around. The girls tell a story of gassy mushrooms. When you stepped on them they emitted a stinky green gas. (Not the cool orange mushrooms in photo.)


Abagail, Katrina (Jerilyn and Jerry in background) Katrina said she got a bit tired of dad taking all those pictures. (Only a few are posted)


Katrina and Jerilyn at one of the icky ponds. Great for watching nature and wildlife...not so great if you had to drink it.

Apparently the experience was a success. The girls can't wait to go again. Good learning experience too. The girls only carried their weight limit, about 15lbs. The poor dads were very weighed down, about 40lbs each. The dads decided that next time they would pick somewhere with better water options - river, stream, etc. - so they wouldn't feel like such pack horses and get to enjoy the hike more.

Plus, next time I think a few more of us will be invited. :)

Home Teachin'

Dad and Gabriel are off to their home teaching appointment. Beautiful day for a ride.

Back to the Beach

The end of September we joined with Allen's brothers and their families for one last "hurrah" at the beach.





The zany girl cousins - Abagail, Karoleena, Katrina, and Manissa

Every time we go to the beach we experience something new. This time the water was very calm. No real waves - if you can call the waves at Mustang Island "real". The water was also very warm, slightly slimy, and green. Lots of "gunk" in the water. It was alive - it belonged there more than we did - but it was gunky.



Kids swimming in the "lovely" water.

While playing out on a sandbar, the dads tossed kids into a shallow area - playing with them of course. Unfortunately the kids were immediately stung multiple times by jellyfish. The theory was that a group of jelly fish were hanging out there and probably would have moved if they had been approached...but were not expecting people to just drop into their area.


The silly boy cousins - Tomas, Oliver, Simon and Ryan

Not the most pleasant water conditions but a fun day anyway.


My cuties playing in the sand and surf.


We had quite the set up. SHADE - which is the 2nd essential item...after fresh water. The other essentials were also covered - family+food+fun.



Cousins hanging out.



A little video of Amelia and Gabriel playing.

Seal of Approval

I made BBQ for dinner tonight. Hamburgers and hot dogs. Abagail is meat "intolerant" - meaning that she does not tolerate the meat that she does not like.

Abagail entered the kitchen and saw the BBQ fixings. She grimaced. Then she checked in the pot on the stove. With a look of approval she said, "Macaroni and cheese - good mom."

So glad I could oblige.

Such A Nice Day

I had a really nice day today.

My friend, Virgie, came to watch Simon, Oliver, and Amelia really early this morning so I could go plant flowers at the San Antonio Temple. When I arrived at the temple the flower beds were just dirt. By the time I left they were all beautiful; full of color and living plants.

I came home inspired. (Or maybe it was too nice of a day to be stuck doing INSIDE chores.)
I mowed the overgrown lawn. Then I tackled the weeds in the front garden bed. One task led to another...by the time I finished the weeds were gone, the vine had a healthy trim, unwanted flowers were removed, overgrown plants were thinned to more manageable portions, trees were trimmed and I was covered in dirt...from my head to my bare toes.

It is so satisfying to stand back and see actual progress. The beds were ugly, overgrown, and overwhelming. Now they are tidy and ready for a new phase. I can't wait to go to the nursery next week and pick up my new idea...snapdragons. (I have fond memories of snapdragons in my Grandma Hart's garden in California.)

Gettin' Fit

On Saturday the "big" girls did an exercise program with dad. The stretching included some yoga moves. When the girls began this portion Amelia was right there with them. Amelia does the best "downward dog" position of us all. Short legs, flexibility, and great balance in awkward positions are her strengths.

Cutie Pie

I know...more pictures of Amelia. I really can't help myself. She is just soooo cute!

Star Spangled Brothers

Simon and Oliver learned The Star Spangled Banner in music this year. They sing it ALL the time. Sometimes it gets pretty silly.

This is a semi-normal version. The silly ones they save for bedtime song - then they are all giggly and trying to out-do each other. I love 'em, those sweet boys.

It's a Jungle in There

A man named Jungle Jim visits the elementary school each year. He brings amphibians, reptiles, spiders, insects to show off. Some are alive; some are dead. They are all pretty impressive.



Amelia and I hung out with Oliver when his class went to watch. The highlight was the pet dog that went #2 on the gym floor. That really got the kids talking and laughing. They also thought it was hilarious when the toad urinated on Jungle Jim's shirt. Guess potty humor ranks pretty high with Kindergartners. They liked the rest of the program too.

Allen went to hang out with Simon during his turn. It was a nice surprise for Simon to see dad at school.

I Can Do It All By Myself!

Look Mom, I can feed myself with a big girl spoon.

(Course I might still be hungry when I'm done...not much gets in.) - but it is oh so fun to try!

She's a Dozen!

Happy 12th birthday to Katrina!

One of Katrina's many self-portraits.


Celebration #1: We had a cake on her birthday with the family.
Celebration #2: At school with class.


Celebration #3: Friday night with some friends. A few girls came over and decorated flip flops and cupcakes. They had a great time.
Celebration #4: Saturday night at the beach with cousins. (no specific photos of cupcakes on the beach - but of course regular beach photos to come in later post.)


My kids show off their decorated cupcakes. They were VERY decorated. One cupcake had a layer of frosting, layer of sprinkles, layer of frosting, layer of sprinkles, layer of frosting and topped with a layer of sprinkles. Don't know who ended up eating that one - it makes my teeth ache just thinking about it.