Rainforest Cafe

To end our visit to San Antonio we had lunch at the rainforest cafe.  It was a fun adventure and worth getting out of the heat to enjoy a meal in a nice air conditioned place.  There were alot of cool animals every where, trees, and a neat gift shop.  Allison found a little Bengal tiger that she bought with her money and has not let go of it yet!  Every twenty minutes in the restaurant there is a thunder show and all the animals interact.  We were luck to sit next to a huge gorilla and a beautiful tank full of fish.  The food was also delicious, the kids ate every bite. 

We had a wonderful trip to San Antonio!!  I am so glad that we were able to take this trip before Beckett's arrival in a few weeks. Even though it was tough on me it was worth every moment of happiness my kiddos experienced!

The River Walk

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One of my favorite things to visit while we are in San Antonio is of course the River Walk.  Its just so beautiful and there are so many cool shops around!    Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures because my camera died.  Almost ten years ago Richard and I went on our honeymoon in San Antonio and every time we have been back we try to get a picture at the same spot on the river walk.  Its interesting to look back through these photos and see how young Richard and I were, and then to see are growing family add to the pictures.

The Alamo

We had such a fun time at the Alamo.  It was the perfect way to start off our Memorial day!  Last summer the Alamo was closed when we went to visit but this time they were open and we were able to see everything!  I think Cooper enjoyed the Alamo the most.  He just loved the history and listened to Richard give him facts.  We were able to walk through out the grounds, look at many artifacts, and catch one of the shows.  I think the kids favorite part was making there Alamo pennies.  Thankfully Richard was able to walk them around every where.  It was so humid I pretty much went from bench to bench I could barely stand the heat.

Sea World

We spent 2 days at Sea World which was totally worth it with the new Aquatic swim park and this slow pregnant mama!  I figured instead of bore you with detail by detail of the two days I would just list some of the highlights.


*Being pregnant has is rewards.  For example people give you there chairs, let you through lines, start conversations with you etc

*One of our family favorites again this year was the wave pool.  I got to spend one on one time by myself with each kiddo in the wave pool for about half in hour.  I am amazed at how brave Cooper has become in the water.  Allison is an excellent swimmer, and would stay in the water all day if we let her.

*We stayed in the Aquatica water park the first day for 7 hours!

*The Aquatica water park is really just an add on to the old water park.  The additions are neat, and the kids and Richard enjoyed the rides and all the new swim areas!

*Lounge chairs were my best friend for 2 days.  Oh and I loved the huge umbrellas they added, wonderful amounts of shade!

*The Azul water show was amazing! Although kinda bummed Cooper James slept through the whole thing!

* The 4D pirate show was extremely fun for our whole family.  Poor Cooper was so short he was the perfect height to get squirted in the face several times!

*I cant explain how well my kids ate at Sea World.  Every time we stopped for food they inhaled it!!

*I had an amazing seat apparently to several events:  Someone lost there wedding ring and security had a metal detector looking for it, A parent lost there son, and security found him, I also found someones license and credit card, and a lil boy broke his arm falling off a ride.

*Oh and the fire works show for Memorial day was the second best fire work show I have seen, not as good as Disney Land but pretty spectacular in is own way!

*Cooper was actually awake for the Shamu show which we saw on our first day.  He went on and on about Shamu for days!

*I asked Allison what her favorite thing at Sea World was and she said riding her first roller coaster. the Steal Eel.  There were alot of rides Allison was tall enough for and Cooper wasn't.  So we broke off and I took Cooper to the Sesame street town.  He had a blast and played in the many parks, swam, and watched the Elmo show.

*When I asked Cooper what his favorite thing was he replied swimming.  The first day at Sea World we mainly stayed in Aquatica.  The second day we rode more rides then went back swimming for 2 hours.  Before we left the park and saw a couple of shows and checked out tons of the animal exhibits. But Cooper slept for over two hours and missed a ton!

Last day!

Today is Allison's last day of first grade!  I cant believe how fast this school year has flown by.  It seriously went faster then kindergarten.  My alarm went off this morning and I could hear Allison's door open.  Allison picked out a dress to wear, wanted me to cut her finger and toe nails, and curl her hair.  This child was ready for school about thirty minutes early!  I am so proud of all the things Allison has accomplished this school year.  She has definitely improved her reading skills and loves anything to do with math.  Allison also made the A honor roll for the 4th 9 weeks!  I loved Allison teacher this year, and she loved Allison!  We are really going to miss her next year.  When the children were leaving Allison's teacher had tears rolling down her face.  Her are pictures from today and the first day of school!

Pizza Day

The first grade had Good citizens day today.  All the children who were well behaved during the school year were able to go to big cheese pizza for lunch and to play in there game room.  Since Allison has an aversion to pizza sauce, I of course had to accompany her and make sure she got a pizza without sauce on it.  And Mr Cooper James had to tag along.  It was kind of a mad house there, tons of teenagers and the lunch rush on top of the entire first grade made for a busy restaurant!  Although the food was good and Allison and Cooper had a fun time playing all the games.  Allison won over 100 tickets and was able to get the little dog she wanted.  Cooper picked out 3 little army men with his tickets.  I would say the day was a success although I can hardly walk this afternoon!

AR Run

Tuesday was Allison's last AR Run!  She completed the 3 nine weeks of the program and two weeks ago the students were reward with a trip to the movie theaters.  There were only a few students who got to go to the movies from Allison's class.  I cant tell you how excited Allison was to go to the movies during school, and eat pop corn and drink coke!  Cooper and I were headed to her school early for a good parking spot and a good seat for the run. First grade starts off the run and Allison wasn't to far from the front of the group.  I love watching her run, Cooper loves yelling for her too.  So proud of my little reader!!

Field Day 2012

Today was Allison field day at school.  Here in Hobbs they call it Play day.  I have been to my share of field days and this was different then what they do in Midland.  Teachers get the day off and parents volunteers and the sixth grade students run play day, which is an all day event by the way.  I wasn't planning on being at Allison's school all day but I got guilted into it and I am exhausted!!  Although I enjoyed seeing Allison so happy!  Saying Allison had a blast is an understatement, she had a smile from ear to ear and did wonderful in all the events.  Also I might add Cooper James was an angel and followed me around all day and enjoyed playing at the playgrounds around the school and events.  Also Allison won first place in the soccer ball kicking contest and the race contest!!

Mass

Sunday morning was Senior Mass for my niece Amanda.  Its a special Mass for the high school graduates. I am so glad we were able to attend my niece look so happy, she was glowing.  The Mass was very nice and I enjoyed being there.  Although I could hardly stand my legs were so weak.  Allison pretty much slept through the whole thing in her Uncle Manuel's arms, and Cooper he was pretty wiggly.  I had to take him to the bathroom and I missed taking pictures, which I was so bummed about.  This pictures is one my sister in law took.  Cant wait for her graduation in less then two weeks!!

Wedding

Saturday was D day!  Or W Day, my niece's wedding!  I spent most of the day making sure my kiddos ate and Cooper napped!  We also picked up Cooper's tux and got Allison's hair done.  Although 7pm came fast, and the wedding was upon us.  Hands down the most beautiful Mass I have ever been to.  My niece was by far the most beautiful bride I have seen, she was just radiant!  My new nephew was just so in love with his bride it was all over his face.  My kiddos played there parts perfectly.  There walk down the ailse made me cry!  Allison made sure there were petals left on ever side!  She stood with the wedding party and never fussed.  Cooper walked down the aisle and came straight to Richard.  Although he was a little more of a hand full during the ceremony, but he was pretty quiet.  The reception was immaculate, the decor was beyond anything I have ever seen.  The colors complemented each other and everything was just perfection.  The food was delicious and reception was just a blast!  My kiddos rarely left the dance floor.  Allison grabbed anyone that would go with her like her grandad, uncle Manuel, her daddy, and her friends!  Cooper danced his heart out too, my lil guy feel asleep after dancing to his favorite song the ghostbusters!  Even Allison feel asleep in her Uncle Manuel's arms.  We left the wedding reception at 11:30pm.  It was such a wonderful beautiful wedding, I could be more happy for my niece and her new husband.  I hope they enjoy ever second of there honeymoon in Hawaii!  Also some of the pictures loaded a bit out of order, but hope you enjoy them anyway!

Wedding Rehearsal

Friday afternoon was the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  When I pulled up to the church, I noticed Cooper was asleep!  The one person who really needed the practice was asleep!  My little ring bearer was totally zonked out.  He finally woke up but was in no mood to practice!  Right before we left I was able to get him to walk down the isle.  Of course my little flower girl was perfect!  Allison listened and followed every direction given without complaint.  At the rehearsal dinner the children were pretty well behaved and enjoyed there dinners.  Cooper also made a little friend, he is so girl crazy!  I really enjoyed the rehearsal dinner, the food was wonderful and the toast given by the bridal party, family, and friends were memorable.  Next, the wedding!!!