Miss Independent!

Carolyn is becoming increasingly independent...and if she doesn't get her independence she REALLY let us know! She wanted to eat by herself so bad tonight that she kept screaming and screaming. Finally I gave in and let her have a go at it. She did quite well, surprisingly enough. I guess she gets more practice at day care than I thought!

First she ate her applesauce, and then later she didn't want corn kernels - she wanted the whole cob! She was gnawing on the end of the cob, though, so she didn't get much corn. Annette tried to show her how to eat from the middle, but she didn't follow that too well.

They are both at such CUTE ages!!

While John was taking the video above, she kept saying "Chee", "Chee" and was hamming it up BIG TIME! Hehehe - I like to eat corn MY way!

Big Annual Galveston Blowout

Back on the Ides of June, we went to Laguna Pescada a Galveston Bayhouse with the extended family for our annual, humble, vacation. Mema and Pepa came down; Mimi and Casey were there; Uncle Will, Aunt Melissa, Kathy, and baby Austin joined us; Bryan, Stephanie, and Adalyn were present; Michael and Cody were in attendance; and Aunt Jane, Busha, Olivia, and Muriel even made it down. It was a full house. We were there for four fun days of fishing, going to the beach, swimming in the pool, eating, going to Gaido's, visiting the Aquarium, and generally having a good time. Annette had a great time running around with all of the other little ones, and bravely fought of napping for the entire trip (she finally succumbed when Mommy used Netflix on her phone to watch Cat in the Hat) and Carolyn even took her first couple of steps (and commandeered Michael for the week). We took some pictures of it and here are some of the better ones.

Pepa quickly got out there to start fishing.

He even caught a little hardhead (and that was about it)

He showed everyone the proper technique for throwing it back.

I caught a little hardhead too (that was all I caught the whole week)

Carolyn fed Michael.

Then she chilled on the couch.

Annette and Cody loved the little aquarium fishies.

The crew at the beach.

Carolyn liked the beach.

Annette was afraid of the waves.

This is the second picture of Michael and Carolyn.

Shells!!!!!!

Will and Melissa rescued a Manatee wearing swim shorts.

She's still a little leery of the water.

Cody wasn't sure about it either.

Carolyn went in (#3)

The water might be scary, but flinging mud isn't.

Annette and Adalyn trying to make a sandcastle.

Carolyn let go of Michael long enough to give Mema a turn.

The kids finally got in the water.

A couple of beach babes.

Carolyn likes the seahorse.

Hi baby!!!

Cody brought his trucks to the beach.

Michael took a break from Carolyn to play with Cody

Isn't she sweet?

We made a W out of shells but you can barely see it.

Carolyn and Adalyn liked looking out the window.


Michael, Annette and Cody kick back.

Carolyn and Baby Austin ate lunch together a lot.

Carolyn helped Michael finish off breakfast. (#4)

The girls chill.

Uncle Will, Aunt Melissa, and Baby Austin at the Moody Gardens Aquarium.

Family photo.

Gratuitous family photo.

Big family photo

The girls really liked the sea lions.

Annette and Cody try to fit in with the penguins.

We stuck Carolyn in the cage again.

Annette joined her in short order.

Carolyn really liked the cage.

She really didn't want to get out.

She eventually pulled herself away to march on the stage.

Austin decided to join her.

We finished offf the weekend at the LaKing's candy store.

They were literally kids in a candy store.

Cody put the moves on Adalyn.

It was a fun night and a fun trip.