What are your favorite family outings?

I'm seeking out the knowledge and advice of my fellow Texas friends, and anyone else that has been in Texas. My two kids are finally at a manageable age, where I can take them out on day outings all by myself and not feel too crazy by the time it is done.

I love to explore and go new places, so we've tried a few local outings. We also have family visiting for most of the month of December, and we'd like to take them to some new places.

So my question to you is what are some of your favorite places to go and play, eat, and do things out of the ordinary?

Here are a couple of pictures from some of the things we've found to do lately. (As you can tell we are easily entertained.)

Our most recent adventure was to the city of Houston. Yes, we've lived here for almost 3 1/2 years and this was the first time I actually took the time to get out and just walk around the city. I fell so in love with Boston when we were there, that the times I've driven through Houston I have just been disappointed. But I finally gave it a chance. It still doesn't even come close to Boston, but it was fun for something new to do.

The kids loved walking through the tunnels of Houston and down the side walks surrounded by tall buildings. We found a balcony off of one of the tall buildings and had a picnic. The kids liked watching the cars below drive by and the workers across the street working on the ledges of the building across from us.
We do love going to the parks in the Woodlands. To mix it up a bit we brought a bunch of bread to Alden Bridge park to feed the turtles, fish, and ducks. It was a little cooler, so I was worried the turtles wouldn't be out. But as soon as the bread started hitting the water the turtles and fish came. We fed them for a while. We were a little disappointed because the ducks didn't come.

We ventured over to the picnic table on the other side of the park. The kids were throwing more bread in for the fish and wouldn't you know it the ducks came. We discovered these are no ordinary ducks at the park. They are CRAZY FEARLESS DUCKS!! They saw the bread in the kids' hands and went right for their hands. As calm as I could I said, "Hurry, throw the bread to the ducks as fast as you can." The kids did a good job and threw it as far and as fast as they could. The ducks gobbled up all the bread and came to us looking for more. They looked like they were going to eat us. So I hurried and put the kids on top of the picnic table, and promptly joined them. The ducks surrounded us with their wings flapping, but they finally left. My neighbor (Michelle) used to have geese and this incident brought back memories of those aggressive birds. As soon as the memories passed, we climbed down from the table and decided to go play in the sand at the volleyball pit and run on the soccer field. I had bonded with nature enough for the day.

One of our favorite places to go is Market Square. We prefer the new area of fountains across from the theatre. The kids like to play in the water there. I like to go there at night where every 15 minutes they play a song that is synchronized to the big water fountain. The fountain has different colors of light that light up the water as it sprays to the beat of the music.

It recently has been a little to cool for swim suits, so we have discovered the trolley. The kids love to pack a lunch and ride the trolley around the Market Street area. We find a nice spot along the route and get off for a picnic. Then we get back on for a couple more trips around Market Street. It's easy and fun. We are looking forward to seeing all the Christmas decorations there and going ice skating.

Some of our other favorite spots are Sea World, the Houston Zoo, the Houston Rodeo, and the Oil Ranch.

Please let us know some of your favorite things to do and places to visit. We would love to try them out.

Happy Birthday Paul!!

I can't let my best friend's birthday go by and not say Happy Birthday to him on the blog.  

Happy Birthday Paul!

I am so happy to have Paul in my life.  He is an awesome husband, friend, and dad.  He truly is my best friend.  I am so blessed to have found him and be married to him for eternity.
We are just having a small family party for his birthday today.  Just opening presents and having cake and ice cream.  We will hopefully be able to go to the Lighting of the Doves at Market Street and celebrate the whole holiday season starting in The Woodlands this weekend. (I've tried to go to it the past 2 years and something always comes up.)

Poison Ivy

Paul had a run in with some poison ivy.  I never knew the stuff was so bad.  He went down with a ward work party to help clean up an area after a work party.  Paul ended up getting in some poison ivy.  His arms and neck were covered.  He had big red welts all over and patches of red skin that feels like an alligator's skin.  

Here are some pictures of the poison ivy at two weeks.  The stuff is itchy and burns.  At about week two Paul's arms swelled up like Popeye the Sailor Man.  I would go in his office and he would have one arm raised above his head while he typed with the other one.  I have felt so bad for him.  He's put about every cream you can put on it.  

We are now going on week three.  I have suggested he goes into the doctor numerous times, but he is convinced there is nothing they can do.  
If it doesn't go away by the end of this week, I may have to drug him and have someone help me carry him to the doctor.  =) 

Whatever you do, stay away from POISON IVY!

Halloween

We had a very fun Halloween this year.  The kids were both old enough to enjoy carving pumpkins and running around on their own at the ward party and trick or treating around the neighborhood.  

Here is Hannah instructing Jacob on how to get all the seeds and slimy stuff out of the pumpkin.
After the brief instruction, she told him that she would let him get all the junk out of his and HER pumpkin.  Hannah didn't like getting the pumpkin all over her hands, so Jacob was more than happy to assist.

This year Hannah was Princess Annalise from the Barbie's Princess and the Pauper movie.  Hannah instantly bonded to other girls dressed up as a princess or boys dressed as Spider Man. (she has a thing for super heros)  While we were trick or treating she would see one of her friends that were dressed up like a princess and trick or treat with them for a few houses.  Then she would see another friend and switch to treat or treating with them.  She kept wanting to follow the Spider Mans around, but I told her we were only trick or treating with friends we knew.  She had a fun night and could have went all night long.

Jacob was Batman this year.  He really liked running around and trying to fly.  Jacob liked being outside with all the kids and putting the candy into his bag.  He was very observant and pointed out every pumpkin and that is was hot.  I was glad he was careful.  Jacob was also cautious of houses that were decorated a little too creepy and required assistance making it up to their doors.  When he got tired of walking he had a fun time at home with Paul helping hand out his candy.  He loves to be a helper.

Here is a picture of Hannah at our ward party.  The Young Men and Young Women put on a Harvest carnival with lots of candy and games for the kids.  Hannah really liked playing with all the kids and playing the games.

Here is Jacob at the ward Halloween party.  Jacob played some games with assistance, but his favorite part was all the candy and goodies.  I usually found him sitting in a corner or next to a game eating a donut, or cupcake, or sucker.  He had enough candy to last him until next year.

Here is Hannah and friends.