Life cut short

My Aunt Lisa passed away early this morning, very suddenly. She was only 49 years old. I would really appreciate thoughts and prayers for my family, particularly my grandparents, as we go through this time. She was such a sweet lady and will be missed.

Comal County Fair

Last weekend, my parents took the kids to the Comal County Fair. I wanted to go, but didn't feel like dragging Anna all over the dusty fairgrounds in 100-degree heat, so I opted to stay home and clean my house. Fun stuff. I think the kids got the better end of the deal. What? I'm not jealous! grumblegrumblegrumble...

We used to go to this particular fair every year when I was a kid, and I have a lot of fond memories. Like the time my dad and I got stuck at the top of the Ferris Wheel. Yeah, I'm not crazy about being in high places. Traumatic childhood and all. Other, more positive memories include funnel cake.

Anyway, I stole took politely borrowed (with permission) some pictures from Grammy's camera.

Baby chicks!

 Ethan was excited to hold one.

He told me all about it (600 times) when they got home.

Zoe wouldn't really get close to the animals, but the boys enjoyed petting them.

Oh, the memories.

Just checking!

Nicky must have been really intent on his driving skills, because there isn't a single picture where he's looking at the camera.

Grammy thought that Zoe would freak out on this ride by herself, but she loved it and had a blast!

 Motorcycle.

Grandpa would be so proud!

Maybe I can go next year, when Miss Anna Beth is a little bigger. I'll see if I can convince Dad to ride the Ferris Wheel with me. :)

It's about time!

As I previously posted, Anna is LAZY. She does not like to be on her tummy because she actually has to lift her giant noggin to look around and be entertained. In the last two weeks, she's discovered that it's not really so bad, after all!

A while back, she learned that she could roll onto her tummy from her back. She wasn't too happy about it at first, but now she's a pro, and she's doing it all the time. I finally managed to capture the moment.

 

It won't be too long before I'll be wishing she wouldn't roll all over the house...

Oh, and the whiny child you hear in the background is Princess Zoe, asking Daddy if she can have fruit snacks. Um, NO...it's 7:00 in the morning, kid.

Back to the Beach, Part Two

Day Three: The kids were up before the sun, as usual, and wanted to play a game with Grandma, called "Mob the Baby!"

 Nicholas is doing a baby tackle.

 Good morning, sunshine!

 Ethan was just waiting for everyone to be finished with breakfast so he could go back to the water.

 Anna kept sliding down before I could get her picture.

She's just too wiggly!

 Uncle Pete and Zoe.

Nicholas, being a tiger.

Peter, Joseph, Marissa, and Ian had to leave that morning, so we hung around to tell them goodbye, and then finished getting ready to do some more beach time. Zoe decided that she didn't want to go, so I stayed behind with her and Anna. I was watching the boys in the swimming pool from our balcony, and I got my zoom lens...

They were watching a plane fly overhead.

Everyone came back in for lunch and naps after a couple of hours.

 I think she likes it!

Aunt Beth and Christopher.

Christopher was scared of Nathan! He played with him for a while, and they really warmed up to each other. I think the block was a peace offering.

 Big Nicky got to sleep on the top bunk!!

 And Zoe slept in a big bed!

 Meanwhile, Nathan was in the kitchen, stealing Oreos.

Busted!

 When everyone woke up, we headed down to the beach for round two! It was still pretty overcast, but we didn't get rained on while we were out at all.

Grandma and Zoe.

Ethan and Bailey.

Nathan, digging up little snails.

Squawk.

 My handsome hubby.

 I am loving Christopher's swim trunks!

Uncle Tim was throwing wet sand at Nicky.

He loved it! I think they had a war.

Too much beach.

I'm not sure what Aunt Beth found, but it must have been interesting.

Timidly digging her toes in the sand...

 Run, Aunt Beth! Ethan's gonna get you!

 Little Ducklings.

 "Come on, Daddy!"

 "I changed my mind! Carry me!"

Cousin Christopher and Aunt Tiffany.

 As long as Daddy and Uncle Tim are there, Zoe's not afraid of deep water.

She went way out with them!

Cute!

We always stop for a quick dip in the pool before going back to our room.

That night, the adults stayed up a little later to watch a movie. We chose one that was just perfect for a beach vacation: JAWS!

"You're gonna need a bigger boat."

 

Day Four: The next morning, we saw lots and lots of dark clouds. It was raining a little bit, but it eventually let up.

 

Look how dark the sky is next to the water.

 My pajama-clad munchkins watching the rain in a depression, afraid that they weren't going to get to go out to the beach one more time.

Once the rain stopped, Nathan took the kids out to the beach one more time. I was busy packing up our things to go home. We planned to try and head out around lunchtime. Before we left, though, the kids wanted to feed the seagulls. 

 Eat your heart out, Alfred Hitchcock.

They were surrounded, and those birds had no fear.

Get 'em, Zoe!

Before we left the island, we stopped at Winton's Candy Store to buy some munchies for the ride home. Their homemade caramel is just about the best thing I've ever eaten in my entire life. So, so, SO GOOD!

Nom nom nom.

 (Psssst! You can order it online!)

After having lunch in Rockport (Mmmm...Mexican food), we took off. We made it home without incident, and I proceeded to wash 264 loads of sandy laundry. That's about it! 

 

THE END. :)

 

Aren't you glad?

Aren't you even more glad that I didn't post all 500 pictures I took during this trip?