Sunday, April 11, 2010

Our First Family Visitors!

In late February my Mom and Aunt Bev came to visit for Brennan's Birthday. My Mom and Aunt had the opportunity to experience Galveston, and the Space Museum. We all had fun learning more about our what is now Houstonian culture.

Galveston Island (overcast and chilly):




The Space Center:

Mission Control O G Style

Simulation Warehouse. This is where the Astronauts train!

This is how you took a shower in the Sky Lab.

Taylor and Brennan launching their own space missions.

Dinner at Hard Rock:
Taylor and Daddy demonstrating "Orange Smilies"
Brennan now giving it a go.

After the Space Center we ate at Hard Rock Cafe. Brennan and Taylor enjoyed the music and walking around looking at musicians memorabilia.

Daddy and Brennan Day: Monster Trucks!



At the beginning of February we came to discover we moved here in time for Monster Jam. Brennan loves watching the cars "crash" and so Briz bought tickets and made it a guy day to Reliant Stadium. Brennan loved watching all the trucks especially his favorite: Grave Digger! The boys enjoyed their first Monster Jam experience.


First Ice Skate

Since arriving and knowing her friend Ethan ice skate's Taylor wanted to go ice skating. In January we took a trip to The Woodlands and checked out their winter rink. Tay and Brenn had a blast! They both did a great job gaining control keeping their feet (rather than their bottoms) on the ice. I was so proud of them! Briz and I managed to keep on our feet too keeping in mind it had been since we were kids that we had been ice skating ourselves.

Taylor ready to go!

Brennan getting adventurous.

Taylor getting comfortable skates faster around the rink.

Mommy and Brennan taking a break.

Bigger Backyard = SWING SET!

Prior to moving Briz and I thought since we had a bigger backyard we would spoil the kids with a swing set. On construction day, the kids were very excited and wanted to help Daddy. Briz was very patient with them letting them help find the pieces and use the Maketa to place in the screws.
Taylor getting the directions for Daddy.

Daddy helping Brennan with the screws.

Taylor got to use the tools all by herself!


The best picture I have of the finished product!

The kids love their swing set! They are back on it everyday and will play on it until the sun goes down. They call the covered platform their "super secret clubhouse" where on nice days they sit up there and have lunch. This was definitely worth the investment!

Merry Christmas!


We had our first Christmas away from family. Our morning was filled with gift opening and playing with all of the new toys.




Shortly after, we got dressed and made our way to the Monroe's (Alex and Lynette's) to be apart of their family festivities. Alex and Briz have known each other since Middle School and Briz is very close to his family. Coincidentally a few years ago Alex and his family relocated to Texas themselves. They have been very welcoming inviting us to all of their family events. The two hour drive for Christmas dinner was well worth it. We felt like we never left California! What might have been predicted as a quiet, empty Christmas was filled with laughter and love.