Aquarium Fun

View of Houston from the Ferris Wheel

We spent a fun filled, hot and humid day at the downtown aquarium. A friend from my ward helped us get in for only 4 dollars so it was a lot of fun for a great price. We're lucky to live in a great ward and I've made some good friends already who get together each week. We have had a lot of fun going to play group and getting to know the other mommies and kiddos.


Inside the aquarium they had a little area where you could touch some sting rays and other wildlife. They also had shark "eggs" (Not sure if that's what you would call them and I didn't have enough free time to read any of the signs) . They were pretty amazing little pod looking things. This earth and all the things that were created on it are incredible.... But anyway, here is Trev reaching in to touch a sting ray. Oh, and splashing half the pool on me and his shirt. The sting rays were incredibly slimy but cool to see up close and touch.

Outside they had a carousel and Trevor rode on the dolphin. He oohed almost the whole time, just like in the picture. As soon as we finished the first ride, Trevor ran out the gate and then back through the line for another turn. We're still working on the waiting in line concept...


Not sure why they have a tiger at the aquarium, but it was pretty cool! I loved seeing Trevor react to seeing a huge tiger 3 feet away separated only by glass. He didn't know what to think at first, and when the tiger walked by he turned and made a beeline for me. But the second time he just stood there in awe. We had to say goodbye and wave to him before leaving.

A couple pics from the ferris wheel. Trevor was brave and enjoyed the entire ride, especially because you could see the freeway and all the cars.

Trevor "riding" the pelican and "driving" the submarine. They are coin operated rides, but an 18 month old can just sit on there and doesn't know the difference. Ahh, the age of innocence. Just look how red and sweaty his little face is! It was a hot one - over 100. I was melting.



The highlight of the trip was a little train ride into the shark tank. Blue just like Thomas! Trevor is totally into trains right now and he was in heaven. I pried his sweaty little chubby hands from the seat at the end of the ride, which we rode twice. He cried both times when we had to get off.

We had such a fun day and are wiped out!

LOST

Most of you who were smart enough to start watching this show 4 years ago when it came out are probably wondering why on earth I am posting about LOST in the middle of the summer. Well, while all of you who are going through withdrawals and waiting breathlessly for the next season to begin in the new year, we are just getting started. The summer can be a lonely, boring time for TV junkies like David (and myself, yes I admit it!). This year we decided that since there's nothing good on that we'd get LOST. Seriously, it is blowing my mind. We'll usually spend a late evening at the Hae Haes' (I think there have been nights that we stayed up til 2 or 3) getting about 4-8 episodes in every weekend. I ususally end up having the craziest nightmares about insane people chasing me through the jungle, but it's totally worth it. Tonight, Carin is going to be nice enough to watch Trev while Dave and I go on a date, then we're going to all get LOST in the mid season 3 (so no spoilers people!). We're hooked! I have to say... and I never thought I would.... I like this even better than 24. Sorry Jack (Bauer, that is)!

1st Annual Jones Girls' Weekend

In the Jones family there is this wonderful tradition (which will go on and on and on...) called an annual GIRLS ONLY WEEKEND where all the women ages 16 or older (or 18, depending on whether moms or grandmas have the ultimate authority??) gather together for a retreat with good times, good food, very little sleep, and great sisters. Okay, sure... so this was the first time we ever did a Jones Girls' weekend, but it is now officially a tradition because after all the fun we had, I just can't see us not doing it again and again. (It is a yearly tradition, Paul. It will happen each year. Mark your calendar for midsummer 2009 girls' weekend.)

This long post is probably going to be pretty boring for most of you, since it's just mostly my memories of the trip...

So MY girls' weekend (I know I missed out on some things since we were the last to arrive, first to leave) began on July 10th when I closed the front door to a screaming baby and reluctant husband - but I forged ahead, never looking back! Danelle and Carin and I enjoyed a child-free air travel experience. I'm sure we must have been glowing and exuding a sense of sheer happiness because nearly everyone we came into contact with on that trip was very friendly to us - even the security checkers. I say NEARLY everyone because Carin did have an incident with a peeved flight attendant, but fortunately we laughed that one off... and one chick-flick (definitely, maybe) and a few iced drinks later, we made it to the OC with ease.

There we met up with the rest of the group and headed off to BJ's to enjoy the famous Pizzookie. I, unfortunately, did not get a picture of this ginormous cookie the size of a large pizza with 1/2 gallon of ice cream all scooped up on top! But it was delicious! Definitely lived up to my high expectations. Luckily we had an even 8 girls, 4 to a pizzookie (although, Steven... we are MORE than willing to accommodate and make room for a 9th girl for next year with NO problem. Really, we will all benefit from this situation - 4 girls to 1 pizzookie? 3 girls to 1 pizzookie? Who wouldn't vote in favor of the latter???) Anyway... the pizzookies were delicious and evidently the sugar went straight to the blood stream - proven by the singing along of various 80s love songs before we left the restaurant.

We then headed off to Julie's new condo (which is amazing, by the way!) for more fun and chick flicks and just a little bit of sleep.

Friday morning Julie took Danelle and Linds for a little run around the park while the rest of us prepared for the long day ahead - full of shopping and eating. We headed off (ON TIME, by the way!) to the Pacific Whey Cafe for a delicious breakfast and baby shower for Laura and baby Autumn.

Let the shopping begin! We started out with the Paper Source, Crate & Barrell, Pottery Barn and H&M. Then we headed off to the beautiful Fashion Island mall for a little Barnes & Noble, Limited Too, and Anthropologie. And as if that is not enough to make your head spin, we also went to a 2 STORY Target. Two full floors of Target goodness, fully equipped with a cart escalator. It was pretty amazing.

After our shopping extravaganza we headed to the Spaghetti Bender for a delicious italian dinner, complete with cute guy waiter, pasta dishes as big as your face, garlic bread, and soup tureen.

From the various shopping destinations Julie found some amazing stuff for her new place and Carin spent the evening putting together the awesome designs with the paper from Paper Source while everyone else bossed (err, directed) each other around as to where to place the other items, baked Chocolate Bliss (I think that's what they were called - basically the best, most chocolatey, decadent cookies you ever tasted!) and debated over whether this or that frame was completely even. The final product is awesome, eh? Hope you're loving it Julie!

We then spent the rest of the evening hearing/sharing dating/proposal stories (it was girls' wekend, afterall!) and playing a little Hot Dice.

Saturday was our stroll down Main Street in Huntington Beach for a little breakfast/shopping (surprise!), walk on the beach, and pedicures.

Danelle and I decided that we really wanted to get our hair cut, and somehow dragged Lindsey into the plan. We found a salon right there on Main Street and popped in to see how much it would cost. Undaunted by the report that a haircut would be anywhere from $65-95, I decided that girls' weekend would just not be complete without that haircut and tried to strike a bargain. I asked the people at the front desk if they had a stylist who would do three haircuts for $40 a piece and they worked it out for us!

So a great morning just started getting better. But we were all floored after seeing how great Lindsey and Danelle looked after Dani (the most amazing stylist ever!) was done with them! Pretty soon Carin, Kim, and Julie were signing up for the haircuts, too. I know that most men out there can't relate to this, but all you girls know that there is nothing better than a good hair cut and we went on and on for hours about the awesome haircuts. We will always remember Dani! :-) It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

So after a quick walk in the sand and sun, a mani/pedi and/or hair cut, girls' weekend came to a close. Danelle, Carin and I enjoyed another carefree plane ride (although this time around I was heavy laden with the goodies I acquired, so my shoulder was dead by the time we reached the car!).

I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again next year. I am so blessed to have such amazing inlaws!! I remember that when David and I got engaged, Carin sent me a little card on my birthday. On the inside it said, "One thing we love in this family... SISTERS." Over the past nearly five years I have seen how true that is! Thanks Jones sisters, it was an amazing weekend! Love you all!

Thank you Grandma Lee Lee!

Trev loves his book and has devoured the mini Nillas!

Choo Choo!

Recalled to Life

Internet is back up and running! I'll play a little catch up on what we've been up to so far this summer.

Independence Day

I was a little homesick thinking about the 4th of July and how much I would miss the parade and Stadium of Fire, etc. in Provo. But as it turns out, we had a really entertaining 3rd and 4th and started what could be a few fun traditions. On the night of the 3rd we went out to a pavillion in The Woodlands and sat out on the lawn and listened to the Houston Symphony. They played a bunch of patriotic songs while we chased after Trevor out on the lawn.

For the 4th we went out to the Woodlands again, this time to the parking garage at Anadarko (Kevin hooked us up with the best seats in town!) for some fireworks. This fireworks show was evidence, once again, that they have to do everything bigger and better in Texas. I have seriously never seen so many fireworks go off at the same time as I did in the finale of that firework show. It was incredibly loud and so beautiful! Trevor actually watched the first 10 or so minutes of them in awe and seemed to enjoy it as long as I snuggled him in. He oohed and aahed a bit, then fell asleep amidst all the bangs and cheering. He didn't wake up once it was over, nor as we buckled him in/out of the carseat, then carried him to bed. I think we pretty much wore him out!

The kids waiting for the fireworks to start.

Ooooh!

Hugs with Madsie

Water Babies

Trevor and his Houston cousins LOVE to swim. He was a little unsure of himself the first time we went, but every day loves it more and more. Every day he asks if we can go swimming: Pool? Pool? Pool? Luckily, Carin and Danelle are nice enough to let us come swimming with them, and Trevor gets to go a few times each week. It really makes the Houston heat/humidity at least somewhat tolerable! Plus, it gives us something fun to do to break up the day and Trev takes great naps after a day at the pool. I'm starting to think we're going to have to rule out any other outdoor activities since we can't even have a cool walk at 7:30 to 8 ish in the morning. It just doesn't cool down at night.





Ev & Trev riding in the bike cart on the way to the pool. This was on the day of Evan's bday fiesta! They're too cute - one picture is not enough!

On the splashpad...

Trev & Madsie at the pool. These two love to sit on the steps and play. We bought Trevor one of those funny muscle floaty suits, but don't really use it much because I think he can get used to the water better without it. Maybe when he's older it'll help.

The Hae Hae's had a pool/pizza party on the 1st day of Summer vacation. This was Trev's first whole piece of pizza. He went right at it, a little unconventionally!

Trev had the kids over for a little Disney Channel and snacks after the pool. We love SUMMER!