A New Sport

Walker has been asking when he can play basketball.  Thankfully the Y has a summer league, so we are so excited that the answer to that question was quick!!!!

He had a couple of practices and then it was time for his first game!

Our whole team is full of newbies, so I was a little nervous, but they caught on so quick!  Walker didn't score any points, but he did take a couple of shots and look at this smile!

 Here he is with McKinley… a sweet little neighbor.

The coach is also a neighbor.  After the game, he took the time to tell the kids how great they did and he gave everyone an award.  What a good guy!  Best offense, best defense, etc.  Walker's award was last.  Coach Dave said it was the most important award… Sportsmanship.  He said Walker hustled, did whatever was asked of him and he did it with a smile.  Then he called him Christlike.  Whoa!  I wasn't expecting to tear up after Saturday morning basketball!  We sure are proud of our sweet boy.  He always has fun and has such a good attitude.  And, the best part of all of it…. he absolutely LOVES basketball and can't wait for the next practice or game!

Everly is FIVE

After a little family party, Everly got to invite her little friends to Chuck E. Cheese for a kid party.  She was so excited!!!  Walker kept telling her she would get a crown and a cape:

She was thrilled to see her best buddies!

And, play with her brother:

All the little cuties with Mr. Cheese:

And, after watching her brother get to do the ticket blaster, she couldn't wait!

She got lots!!!!  What a fun little party.  Thankfully, Chuck E. Cheese isn't crowded on a Monday afternoon!  And, Everly loved that she got to have her party on her actually birthday.

Happy 5th Birthday, sweet girl!

A Girl Bike

We spent the weekend before Everly's birthday at Bunny and RayRay's.  Our house was full of fumes due to our remodel.

So, she got a little family party (ahead of her Chuck E. Cheese party)!

We made her close her eyes as Daddy brought out her present….

That was her reaction when she realized it was the Frozen bike she's been wanting!  She couldn't wait to ride it!

Such a little cutie!  Then we got to have cake:

And, she kept wanting to ride the bike.  Thankfully Bunny and RayRay didn't mind her riding in the house!

Yes, she rode in her pjs.  She loves that thing! Yay for a successful present.

I really can't believe our baby is FIVE!  It feels like she was born yesterday.  She is the most stubborn, strong willed girl.  But, she is also the most loving, full of laughter, precious love.  I wouldn't change a thing!  Happy Birthday Everly!  We love you.

Tea Time!

Bunny and I enjoy high tea.  So much, in fact, that Bunny has taken her granddaughters to tea for years.  So, for Everly's fifth birthday, granddaughter number three got to go to her first tea! (And, luckily, I got to go, too!!!)

She was so excited and looked beautiful!

She was all smiles the whole time….

And, took it all in!

The St. Regis in Houston is great.  She got little ham and cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  She gobbled them up!

She tried tea, but opted for hot chocolate.  She was a precious little lady the entire time.  And, she got to feel very special…. the harpist played "Happy Birthday" and they brought her this cake:

I wish I had a picture of that…. she was so surprised and loved it!  Lots of people wished her happy birthday and told how cute she was.  I think she loved the attention!!!  A perfect start to her birthday celebration!

Final Day of Fun

On our last day, we wanted to make sure everyone got to ride their favorites!  Ryder had been wanting to ride the big ferris wheel the whole trip…. we finally made that happen!  

Great views and a fun ride!

Everly got to ride the carousel...

… and the boys got to ride California Screamin many more times!  (maybe 4?) And, Everly rode the Little Mermaid that many times, too!

We also rode Goofy's Sky School… which is a fun little coaster.

And, there was more Space Mountain.  These two were waiting on the rest of us!

And, the boys rode the rockets.

And, we went after Zurg with Buzz Lightyear.

 Love Ryder's photobomb.

Then it was off to lunch with the princesses.  Our little princess LOVED it!

 And, we got to see the ferris wheel all lit up!

It was a magical, fabulous, super fun and full of memories trip.  I loved how brave Walker was, how happy Everly was and how sweet Ryder was.  We are very blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy our family at such a fun place!!!!

Welcome to Hollywood

We decided to take a break from the parks and go check out Hollywood on Day 4.  Bunny went back to Texas, so we rented a car and took off.

Oh, wait… we had breakfast with some crazy characters first!

I matched Minnie!

After our delicious Mickey waffles, we hit the road!

The excitement of the pacific coast highway was not felt by everyone…

We made it to Hollywood Blvd and let me tell you…. it's kind of scary.  Way too many people trying to make a buck!

 But, we walked around, saw some hands and feet on the ground and bought some silly souvenirs.  And, hey, we can all say we've been there.

And, we've all seen the Hollywood sign!

After our adventure, we hit the pools….

… the kids enjoyed that a lot more than our road trip!

Disneyland - Day 3

So, I realize that I am posting a LOT of pictures, but I can't help it…. too many cute ones!  Day three was no exception:

(oh, how I love that we have the fun of California Screamin documented!)

This is my favorite of all of us!

After lots of fun during the day, it was time for the new, electric parade.  Oh my gosh, words cannot even describe how awesome it is.  Walker and Everly were in awe.  Every new float brought new excitement.  Ryder probably won't admit it, but he liked it, too!

That might have been my favorite part of the trip…. yes, it was magical!  I'm so glad we saw it!!!!!