Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Our Getaway to San Antonio

June 18 -21
Thomas wanted to get away, when asked where he wanted to go he would say, "I don't care, take me away!" I asked him a couple times where he would like to go, but he saying to surprise him. Because of flight times we couldn't go to my first choice, but were able to go to San Antonio, Texas. Why San Antonio you might ask...well...I have watched travel channel for years and right outside San Antonio is the coolest water park...Schlitterbahn, home of the Master Blaster!

When we arrived in Nashville to catch our flight out we were disappointed to hear that our flight was delayed, which would cause us to miss our connecting flight...they thought they might have to reroute us through Chicago, but luckily they found two seats on another flight, but we ended up having a little bit longer layover in Dallas.

While in Dallas we decided to grab some dinner.I don't remember the name of this restaurant but I had to take a picture of Thomas' sandwich because it was really different. It was kind of like a club with ham and turkey, but then it was breaded and deep fried and sprinkled with powder sugar. So, it tasted like a funnel cake with meat!Dallas' airport was full of sculptors and Thomas liked this one.After arriving in San Antonio we drove 40 miles away to New Braunfels for the night. The next morning we got up and ready for Schlitterbahn. Schlitterbahn was voted one of the best water parks in the United States. It had a ton of tube slides or chutes and I love slides like this, it was great!
Thomas getting his tube.
Me and my tube.

Everybody needs tubes and unlike some water park there are plenty!

Thomas coming down one of the chutes. Me getting ready for Schlitterbahns biggest claim to fame, the Master Blaster, the first uphill water coaster.
The blue slide is the Master Blaster, you can see its kind of big. The yellow slide is the family raft ride and the black was an enclosed tube slide.

Thomas after riding the Master Blaster.


Me coming down one of the stutter stripes, these are used to help slow you down...they weren't the most comfortable, but fun.

The chutes went in and out, under and above all kinds of things. One of the chutes went under the walkway, another went through a building. Really neat.





After a day at Schlitterbahn we drove back to San Antonio for the next two nights. On Saturday, we went to Sea World. I wanted to visit the dolphins and we paid the extra money to feed them.



Thomas got to ride a few roller coasters and being the nice person that I am, I rode one with him...BIG MISTAKE!!! I felt so sick after riding the roller coaster I couldn't enjoy one of my favorite animals the sea lions.

On Sunday, we hit many different sites before having to fly home. Of course, while in San Antonio you can't miss the Alamo.

We took a few minutes and walked around the grounds.




After the Alamo, we took the river cruise.



There were many beautiful spots along the river cruise. The river walk was designed so beautifully!





After walking the river walk, we went to El Mercado or the Mexican Marketplace. Here we did a little shopping and ate lunch. We ate lunch at Mi Tierra Cafe what I found really different about this place was its decorations. It had so much on its ceilings!





Thomas and I had a great trip. It was fast, but fun. We got to go someplace new and experience new attractions. We loved Schlitterbahn a bunch and have even talked about taking the kids one day. Its great for us as a couple to go places together and spend one on one time and we will continue to do this even as the kids get older.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Swimming Lessons

Level I Swim Lessons June 8 - 19


I was really looking forward to the boys being able to take swim lessons this summer. I signed them up early, wanting to make sure we could get into level one and two lessons. The boys were really excited about swim lessons which made it even more fun!
Some of the things they had to do included laying on their back with support.


Jumping into the water without fear...here they are playing the tree game, where they get chopped down.



They had to learn to use the noodle to help support them as they used their arms and legs to swim.


And they used a kick board as another support.



The boys did really good with their lessons, in the end Tanner is moving onto the Level 2 lessons while Tyler needs to become more comfortable in the water. Since finishing the lessons Tyler has done much better, he feels comfortable and tries to swim around under the water. I am very proud of how well they have done.

For Today - you do this too!

Outside my window- nightfall with a nice breeze.
I am thinking- I need to work on the blog with our fun of the last couple weeks.
I am thankful for- my life and my family and the chances we have.
From the kitchen- a quiet hum of the refrigerator.
I am wearing- jean capris and a Life is Good t-shirt.
I am reading- Mind Game.
I am hoping- good weather tomorrow and this weekend.
I am going- to Tie Breaker Park tomorrow with the kids and friends.
I am hearing- the tv and a few fireworks outside my window.
I am creating- a blog of memories to share with the ones I love.
I am praying- for peace from North Korea.
Around the house- the family sleeps.
One of my favorites- listening to the waves come in from the ocean.
A few plans for the rest of the week- water park tomorrow and working the fireworks tent this weekend.
A picture to share- the beach that is calling me to come visit!

Kids and Hammers?

While visiting Safety Day, the boys received build your own birdhouse and tool box kits from Home Depot. While we could have built them there, we thought we would just bring them home and build them later. The boys really wanted to get to work on them one afternoon Thomas brought the boys out into the garage and got to work.

Step 1: Read the directions. Tanner has really been into "reading" the directions, and when there are pictures he is pretty good at it.
Step 2: Put the pieces together. Tyler hammering in nails for the tool box and Tanner the birdhouse.

Notice the tongue...in deep concentration to not hit is fingers!




Finished! We now have a birdhouse.

And a toolbox!