Just last week Paul and I were talking and realized that summer is coming to a rapid end and we hadn't really taken a family vacation. There had been a trip to the beach house (but Paul didn't come), and Tyson had gone to Mom's and there had been a few trips to the river; but we just hadn't gone anywhere as a family. So with some quick research on the Internet we came up with the Horeshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls. They had some great summer specials and it was just an hour away. So Paul scheduled some vacation days and we packed without telling the kids. When they woke up Wednesday morning we surprised them with the news. They were PUMPED!!!
We had so much fun. We just relaxed and played in the different pools the resort had to offer. We explored every evening......they had cool birds, a flamingo, fish and one morning an animal expert came out with even more bird and some cool turtles. We ate some delicious food one night in the hotel restaurant and ate lunch by the pool the next. We didn't bring any portable CD players. I told Paul I didn't want the kids watching movies in the evenings. I wanted family time. So we brought dominoes, coloring books and we even played Charades one night (that was an experience in itself) but the the kids really enjoyed our undivided attention.
They are celebrating because I gave them the "all clear" to jump on the bed..........since we're in a hotel. You would have thought I just bought out Toy R Us, they were so excited.
My kids just love hanging out is hotel lobbies
All greased up and ready for the pool
Tyson even took off the life jacket and made some major progress in the swimming department. Like everything else with him......it has to come when HE is ready.
the guys playing by the waterfall
Tyson got brave enough to hold the tortoises
Always ready for a photo op
Everywhere Tyson went Emmy had to follow, this makes me nervous because my sweet Emmy is quiet clumsy.
The kids loved talking to the parrots.
They had s'mores on the lawn for the kids at night
Waiting on the golf cart shuttle to take us down to the Yacht Club Pool
Paul and his water babies
Em playing at the beach at the Yacht Club resort
........on that note, FUN was had by all!!!!!!
*****I didn't have to set this shot up, this was her usual saunter down the room in front of the mirrors in the buff after swimming before her bath.
The weather was so nice that morning, the kids even enjoyed the shady playground before heading down to the water.
I'm not really sure what she's doing.......
My Coppertone Baby!!!
Tyson and Jackson, such good kiddos!
These two just loving laying in the water.
Nothing better than spending our last day of summer vacation with our friends at the river!
Well........ after eating lots and lots of my parsley they stuffed themselves silly and attached themselves to some sticks Tyson had placed in the container and formed their chrysalises. Then he moved the sticks and put them outside under a larger net. Then after a couple more weeks they opened this morning into beautiful butterflies.
This one literally hatched out of it right in front of our eyes. "Mother nature is pretty cool, right Mommy?" Yeah, Buddy it is. It really is.
Tyson insisted they needed some nectar to get strength to fly away. He suggested an orange.
Almost ready to leave the patio.
He was so proud of his nature experiment. He loves this type of thing. And I love the fact that he would rather be learning about insects outside instead of sitting on the couch glued to some video game.
15 unfrosted cupcakes, a variety of toppings and frostings, 15 excited little people = a fantastic playdate. My friend Melisa organized a play date at Kates Frosting. Every child choose a flavor of cupcake and then got to decorate it. Everyone knows my kids are no stranger to baking and decorating sweets. They loved it. Tyson even asked if "he could decorate 2, since he was the oldest kid here." Um, no this is decorate a cupcake play date not decorate a cupcake or 2.
Waiting not so patiently for the cupcakes and the instructions.
I have this annoying habit of taking WAY too many pictures at any certain event. I took over 150 pictures in the 2 and a half days we were in Marble Falls. I have a hard time narrowing down for this blog. These next few are my favorites for different reasons.
I love this one because she looks adorable in hats but I absolutely love the sun kissed color of her skin after all day at the pool.
My baby boy is so handsome and so grown up looking. I love that he posed with us hands on his hips and one leg slightly bent. I wish I could say I told him to do that. I just said "go stand in from of the water fall."
Just love it!
I love this one because they BOTH look so genuinely happy.
Her cheek bones stand out to me here and I love 'em!
This one is my most favorite. Paul always says he hopes Buddy never gets too old for kisses from his Daddy. I love the fact that Paul is so affectionate with Tyson. I hope it's always this way!!!
They are celebrating because I gave them the "all clear" to jump on the bed..........since we're in a hotel. You would have thought I just bought out Toy R Us, they were so excited.
My kids just love hanging out is hotel lobbies
All greased up and ready for the pool
Tyson even took off the life jacket and made some major progress in the swimming department. Like everything else with him......it has to come when HE is ready.
the guys playing by the waterfall
Tyson got brave enough to hold the tortoises
Always ready for a photo op
Everywhere Tyson went Emmy had to follow, this makes me nervous because my sweet Emmy is quiet clumsy.
The kids loved talking to the parrots.
They had s'mores on the lawn for the kids at night
Waiting on the golf cart shuttle to take us down to the Yacht Club Pool
Paul and his water babies
Em playing at the beach at the Yacht Club resort
........on that note, FUN was had by all!!!!!!
Tyson has developed a strong interest in insects and their life cycles. We have held many caterpillars hostage just to watch them turn into chrysalises and then into butterflies. These 5 are just the latest to fall victim to Tyson and his orzo container with holes in the lid. 
More water!!! My son is going to be the poster boy for Hawiaan Tropic if I'm not careful. I slather on the SPF, but he has my skin......he just keeps getting darker and darker. Anabell's mom, Michelle invited us over today for some swimming and some lunch. It was great to catch up.
Snack time. Jackson and Cam came too.
Em tells me on a daily basis that she "loves" Jackson.
Here's the whole gang scarfing down some lunch; Anabell, Tyson, Jackson, Cam, Em and Olivia
Tyson and Jackson
