San Antonio Day 1

April 25th, we got up early and hit the road.

 
Here is my new perspective in the car.  I sat in the third row of our minivan while Jeremy and Amachi were up front plus kids in the middle.  The third row was perfect for me as I didn't feel carsick when helping the kids.  The only drawback is there is a speaker right next to my head and Jeremy was in control of the music!

First stop in San Antonio, Morgan's Wonderland!  We had read awesome reviews about this place and decided to check it out.  It is a place where children both with and without disabilities can play.  Seriously Jasmine and Seth could do everything there and for as many times as they wanted.  I think that was the best part.  It is a bit pricey, but I consider it to include a donation (the park gives free admission to any child with special needs).

Seth "driving" a car on a track and without a license!

Jasmine riding a horse

Jeremy helping the kiddos at the grocery store

Seth checking out the lobsters

Dark picture I know - Amachi, Jeremy, Seth, me and Jasmine on the train (one of two rides that day).

View from the train as it goes around the entire property

Amachi and Jasmine - yes, Jasmine soaked herself in the water play area. :)

 

Seth riding the carousel with daddy (we might have done this 3 or 4 times)

Jasmine looking beautiful in purple

To top off our first day, we met up with our dear friends Donny and Jody for pizza!  Here are the kiddos - Leah, Cole, Jasmine and Seth.  

Trying to find Dora and Diego at the zoo

On July 26th, we set off on a quest to find Dora and Diego in 4D at the zoo.  While the parents waited in line, the kiddos played around nearby.

Jasmine, Abigail and Jade

The girls running around

Jonathan

Seth

Yes, this is Seth with 4D glasses.  I would like to report that we made it to see Dora and Diego, but we ended up seeing some nature video . . . we stayed in line for about an hour in the heat and Dora & Diego would have taken an hour longer.  The kids had fun and we did see some animals too!

Friends from South Africa

On August 7, 2010 - I remember going to Chase bank with Seth and meeting Songe and Ningi for the first time ever.  They were getting their U.S. bank accounts.  They were two students that came from South Africa.  Our small group got to spend time with them while they were in the United States studying for a special business certification.  When I first heard of this opportunity with ICX (International Cultural Exchange organization) to spend time with foreign students, I jumped on it because I think of how my parents came from India to a place that was so very different than home.  I thought that we would get students that came from the corner of some distant land, but Songe and Ningi were from the city and are two of the sweetest and most outgoing people you are ever going to meet.  Their social calendars were always filled and they went on more trips around the U.S. than most folks would do in a lifetime.  When I would hang out with Ningi, I would always think of her as a peer and then I would remember that I am 10 years older . . whoa!  I am thankful for the time we were able to share with them and also thankful for Facebook, so I can stalk them from here!  :)

Songe and Jeremy at Songe's going away party on 05/19/11

The gang - Amanda, Jennifer, Jonathan, Songe, Jeremy, Marianne, Chacko (my dad was in town), plus the kiddos in front -- Adalyn (see her foot), Jonathan, Jade, Abigail behind the green balloon , Jasmine and Seth

Ningi and Songe on their graduation day

Amanda, Adalyn, Abigail and Ningi at her farewell party on 07/14/11

Jonathan and Ningi

Ningi and Jade

The gals for one last time to visit - Jennifer, Amanda, Jade, Ningi, Courtney, and Marianne

Ningi looking so classy!

07/18/11 - The last goodbyes before she left on a plane back home

Easter Weekend

On April 22nd, we headed out to San Antonio to visit our dear friends Donny and Jody plus their children, Cole and Leah.  The drive up was uneventful.  We went during nap time, but the kiddos did not really nap in the car.  We did stop at Bucees (after reading 500 billboards) and got some snacks.  I love that place.  That night we went out for Mexican food and then the kids were pooped, so we threw them in bed.  Now the sleeping arrangement was good as we all slept in one room, but there was one problem . . . Seth!  Seth is our early riser, but normally he talks to himself or falls back asleep.  That first night he woke up around 5 a.m. and realized that his sister and parents were in the same room as him.  He was SO excited to have a sleepover that he didn't want to sleep and even pulled some kids books off the bookshelf while he said "book".  At this point we knew our morning was shot, so we played in the room and tried to keep quiet so everyone else in the house could sleep.  After some breakfast and playing in the backyard, we started what will be known as the busiest Easter schedule ever!  :)  We headed to their family Easter lunch along with egg hunt and pinata (Jasmine and Seth's first) out in the country somewhere in San Antonio.  The kiddos had a blast!


I loved this little windmill.  Jazzy looked so cute!

Jasmine enjoying all the festivities!

We put Seth inside this thing!  It was cute!

Seth's favorite thing was running around outside or inside our friend's home.

Cole found the gigantic egg!

Seth putting one or two eggs in his basket.

Hey he found one!  Now if only he could open it by himself.

Jasmine with a ladybug egg.

Seth's first shot at the pinata . . . Jeremy almost got taken out!

Jasmine's first try at the pinata.

We are all looking at all the kiddos taking a turn at the pinata.  This pinata was indestructible!

After this hunt, we came home and gave the kids a nap.  They were tired!  After that we headed to family event #2 which was right around the corner.  There had a pig, chickens, etc.  We had yummy dinner and then had another Easter egg hunt.  There were tons of eggs and kiddos everywhere.  After that we threw confetti eggs which I never knew was an Easter tradition, but apparently it is.  There were dozen of eggs going ever which way.  After this party we headed home, got the kiddos in bed and then the adults hung out!  Whoo hoo!

The best picture - Seth and Leah sharing the glider at party #2.

The second night Jasmine work up twice screaming as she heard noises which also woke up Seth and us.  Amazingly enough we got them both back to bed each time.

Easter Sunday we headed to their church which was awesome and then came home for lunch before we headed off.  This last picture is of our clan--Leah, Cole, Jasmine and Seth.  It was such fun to watch them play together and for us adults to visit with each other.  I drank so many smoothies (thank you Donny!) and enjoyed every minute of it.  Next time, we are going to have a very relaxed visit as this one was nonstop!  We miss you all already!

Seth is 18 months!!

On May 17th, Seth turned 18 months!!  At his check up on May 24th, he was 2'8" and 24 lbs 1.4 oz.  Seth has been busy this month as usual.  On April 19th we cut two of his top molars - OUCH!  He had his first Easter egg hunt at Ainsley Court on the 21st. He attempted his first pinata on the 23rd and almost knocked his daddy out instead.  On April 24th, he started singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and the next day he sang his first attempts of the ABC song.  He is just so adorable when he walks because he swings one of his arms the whole time. Yes, you will have to check it out the next time you see him. 


05/11/2011 - Singing and playing the piano with daddy!

05/17/11 - Danger boy climbed up the couch on his own. 

05/18/11 - First run at a splash pad.  He had a great time playing.  At one point the water was spraying on his face while he just stood there.  Finally I moved him away from the nozzle.  I think he forgot that he could move his face from it.  :)

Playing with MacKenzie

Zonked after all that running at the splash pad.

A little reunion

On January 16th, we had a special reunion with our friends.  It had been too long since I had seen Jody, Donny and their kids, Cole and Leah.  It was so neat to see our kids play together and just observe how big they have all grown.  Thanks Donnel, Richard, and Taylor for sharing them with us!  :) 

Cole and Jasmine were born just weeks apart and so were Leah and Seth.  We couldn't have planned it more perfectly, right Jody? 


Seth, Jody and Leah

 

Leah, Cole, Seth, Jazzy

 

The entire gang!

Cole and Jazzy pants being silly together

Christmas time

This Christmas was like no other.  Jasmine is now three years old and was excited about the whole Christmas season.  Seth is one years old and he was just a sweet and happy boy.  On Christmas Eve, we went to church and sang beautiful Christmas songs.  Jasmine did great and sat the entire time with her daddy.  Seth did well considering it was during our usual dinner time.  I fed him snacks the entire time and when I couldn't get his bottle of milk out fast enough, he proceeded to scream during the service.  I rushed him out, got him his bottle and then slowly eased him back into the sanctuary.  I told Jeremy that every year we get to stay a little longer for Christmas Eve service.  I can't wait for Christmas 2011.

Seth and Jasmine ready for Christmas Eve

Christmas morning we got up, had some pancakes and then opened Christmas presents . . . you can have breakfast first when your kids are not anticipating anything.  :)

Jasmine checking out her Barbie house given to us by our sweet neighbor girls.  She loves it!

Seth and mommy playing with his new car and track

After we hung out as a family in the morning, it was time to start cooking in a big way.  Thankfully the kiddos were occupied with their new toys.  

We had a yummy menu.  We made Hawaiian bread dip, little smokies, broccoli salad, potatoes au gratin, corn casserole, and buttermilk pie (actually Amachi made that).  Grandma made the ham, five in one salad, homemade egg nog, and Christmas cookies.  Plus Ningi and Songe brought a South African potato salad.  Yes, there was tons of food.

Here is everyone chatting it up post meal.  Yeah it was a lot of fun!

Ningi, Papaw, Grandma and Songe

Ningi, Amachi and Songe

Kate, Jasmine, and Ricky

Jeremy, me, Ningi and Songe

It was such a nice Christmas season.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.  We enjoyed sharing about Christ's birth to our little girl.  She woke up just the other day and had her blanket wrapped around her head.  She said she was pretending to be Mary.  It was precious!