Matagorda Beach

Jeff, Zoe & I were invited by Aunt Cindy & Uncle Mike to stay with them in their travel trailer down at Matagorda for the weekend. We took them up on the offer and drove down Friday after work - and had a blast!! Mike & Cindy left on Thursday morning and stayed through Sunday - this was at the new RV park that just opened at the end of Beach Road. This park is wonderful - the lot was right on the river and was the closest the pier. Perfect for fishing and therefore perfect for Jeff!!

Of course, as soon as we got there Zoe headed for the water! She is definitely her mother's child - a water baby through and through! We got in just as it was getting dark. Jeff set up his lights (after much frustration with the wind!) and Zoe & I visited with the crew (George & Darlene and their bunch were only 3 lots down). George and Stephanie made an awesome etouffee which in itself would have been worth the drive! Jeff fished most of the night. He caught one flounder and thought it wasn't a keeper. Turned out it was - that's what he gets for not having his trusty little book handy!

On Saturday, Zoe was up bright and early at 7:30 am. I was surprised because she didn't sleep well and at one point (around midnight) I thought I was going to have to get up with her - she wanted to go fishing with Daddy!

After breakfast, Adisyn arrived (with Mark & Tina, of course) and it was play time after that! We took all the girls (Zoe, Adisyn, Bailey & Karolyne) to the playground. Zoe loved the slide! The steps were built for little people and she could climb them herself! Our daughter is fearless! We had a blast - with Tina posted at the top of the slide and me at the bottom acting as photographer! Jeff even took a break from fishing and once he arrived, Zoe wouldn't go down the slide unless her Daddy was watching!

Jeff did catch one sand trout which he showed the girls. Adisyn loved it. She wanted to hold it and kept going back to the bucket to see it. Zoe wanted to see it, but took one little touch and pulled her hand back saying, "Ewww!" Hopefully she will grow out of that!

Later, we walked down closer to the beach so that the girls could play in the water. We found a nice little spot where the water wasn't deep. It was freezing (by Mommy standards), but the girls didn't mind a bit! They splashed and played, but neither were adventurous enough to do "under water"! After awhile, both were shivering, but neither wanted to get out of the water to head back to the campsite! While we were there, we gathered some shells and got to watch a hermit crab "walk".

We left Saturday evening. One day was enough to wear us all out, but what an adventure. It was fun just to watch Zoe discover all the new things that only the beach can offer. Seagulls and pelicans, sand and seashells, "big boats" and real live fish. This trip was a blast and now I can't wait to go back! I am really looking forward to summer!

Happy Birthday, Adisyn!

Today is Adisyn's 2nd Birthday - I cannot believe our little girls are growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday we were all crowded into the labor and delivery room at GCMC waiting for her arrival! I didn't think you could fit that many people into one little room! Christine and Mark had Adi's party at Cindy's. It was a "Princess Party" complete with a Cinderella cake decorated by Mark himself! Happy Birthday, Adisyn!! We love you!

After the party, Amie brought Riley over for a sleep over! Our friend, Perri, got married and Amie and David went to party with the newlyweds. Riley is the perfect baby. She sat and watched Zoe, played with some toys and only cried once (and that was only because Zoe threw a toy at her!!) Zoe tolerated having a "baby" around pretty well. You could tell she was jealous, but other than the one throwing incident she played with Riley and even "read" her a few books! When I went to rock Riley at bedtime, Zoe had to join her on my lap! I told Amie that we'd babysit any day for her. Riley slept from 9 at night to almost 9 the next morning and woke up happy and talkative! It was fun to have a "baby" around again. I'd forgotten what is was like to have to make a bottle and spoon feed a little one!

First Zoo Trip

Zoe's first trip to the Zoo was an adventure to say the least!! I thought that this would be a great age to take Zoe on her first Zoo adventure, but as it turns out, she didn't have the great big awe reaction that I had imagined. She enjoyed walking around on her own and the trees and flowers more than the animals themselves. It didn't help that while we were making the rounds, it was nap time for most of the animals so there wasn't much excitement going on! I was hoping that she would get to hear the big animal noises (an elephant trumpeting, a lion roaring) - maybe next time! She liked the zebras, the aquarium and the sea lions the best. By the time we'd made it around to the gift shop, she was tuckered out. I picked out a stuffed elephant for her and she loves it! I think we will be going back to the Zoo, but probably not until next year!


Zoe checks out the ducks in the Children's Zoo.

Zoe loved the aquariums! She even got to see her favorite Disney characters...Nemo and Dory!


Zoe and her new elephant.

Wee Lil' Yankees Fan

My friend, Dory, submitted her daughter's picture to the Victoria Advocate's Seen on the Scene last week and it was published on Friday. So, of course, Zoe was jealous and made me submit hers! It was published yesterday!!! Here is a scan of her picture in the paper. It can still be viewed online at http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/ViewPost/33146.