An American pasttime and some hometown pride...

Houston is home to the Astros... which are in the same division as Chad's beloved Chicago Cubs... which means they travel here twice a year for a series of games.  We won't be in town when they come in the fall so it was important to get there this time.   It was a bummer that the Cubs lost, but a nice day anyway.  I already can't wait for next years series when we have to have come Chicago friends visit at the same time!

Minute Maid Park offers affordable ticket options.  While they weren't the best seats in the house, we had a clear shot of the game and were on the first level.  Just $20 a ticket, and that included a hot dog, chips and a drink.  Because the park is a dome (which in this heat is a brilliant and completely necessary), however it had a completely different feel.  I felt like I had walked into a night game at just 1:00 in the afternoon. 

Go Cubs Go!  Number one! (keep a positive attitude Braden, what a cute and naive little Cubs fan)

Big B watching the game.  As if Chad didn't love him enough already, Braden says "Hey Dad, I can't wait to grow big and strong so I can play baseball!"

Miss Vivian enjoyed the game as well.  She is wearing the same outfit that Braden wore to his first Cubs game in June 2007!

A true Texas holiday weekend BBQ

I must say... this whole living in Texas thing is working out pretty well.  One of the perks is we've met a great group of neighbors.  We were invited to join on on their Memorial Day weekend BBQ.  The brisket was on the smoker by 7am... and the other main dish was Beer Can Chicken.  We did potluck for the apps, sides and desserts.  I'm thankful for baby monitors that work from a longer distance (like all the way in our neighbors back yard).  After we got the kids to sleep we stayed up quite late with the neighbors and adult beverages. 

I don't think Braden talked to me for three hours.  He was having so much fun with all the other kids.

Hey, look at this... a slip and slide!

Braden and his friend next door, Mallory.  She's four and he just loves her to pieces. 

How do you keep a baby cool outside in the Texas heat?  Well thanks to the experienced moms here we took good care of Vivian.  Under a UV shade... check.  Drinking water... check.  Wetting down her head to keep it cool... check.  Sticking her feet in water... check.  Who knew?  She stayed pretty comfortable and was in a good mood all afternoon! 

Chicago will always be "home".  But for the first time in more two years, hanging with neighbors, kids playing hard outside together, on holiday weekend, eating some Texas smoked BBQ... things felt right. 

Sandcastle...

After such a great trip to the beach with friends I wanted to take Chad there too.  Big B was so happy to go back.  Braden got to make his first sandcastle with his dad... and as an observer of the project I think Chad enjoyed it just as much as he did! 

Alright Dad... enough goofing around.  It's time to get to work on the sandcastle.

Meanwhile... I had my eye on this one in the shade.

Quite curious about the sand. 

Hey sneaky girl... I see that smirk.  I suppose it's time for me to put down the camera and get my little lady back under the beach umbrella.

Much better, back in the shade.  A few side notes... first, her hair is out of control.  I'm trying to hold out to 12 months so she can get a cut and have some shape to it.  But it's getting harder, it's really long and it has a mind of it's own.  Second, this is a pretty common look these days for Vivian, as she's teething and she's pushing her gums together.  Those top two teeth have been working our poor girl for awhile!  Hopefully they will make an appearance soon.

When I pop back over the other side... Braden seems to have completed his version of a sandcastle with the castle mold still in the sand.  He's giving me a look like, "Dad is still doing something... what's taking him so long?"

Chad is taking this seriously.  He's making a foundations so Braden can decorate.

The finished product.  Braden was happy to help out at the end.

Vistors

We were lucky to have a house guests from Illinois come and stay with us... The Funks!  Kristy, Ben and their baby girl, Isabel came and we had such a great time with them!  We met in Galveston and went to the beach, our friend and sorority sister, Kristin and her two children also joined us.  What a fun day!  We spent the rest of the time relaxing around the house, out to lunch one day and to a nice park.  Evenings were some of my favorite time... outside in nice weather with many beers and good conversation!  Here are a few pictures! (If you are interested in looking at the entire album, click here.)

Searching for seashells

Miss Vivian loved having her feet in the water.  Are you noticing the wonderful baby chunk on her thighs?  Seriously, I have had more than three people stop me in the store ask me if they can grab them!  If you like it... stay tuned, you're about to get a few more good shots.

Braden and his buddy Ava... this was most of their day... chasing each other and running circles in the water

These three babes born within 9 days of each other! From left to right, Vivian (09/19/09), Luke (09/18/09) and Isabel (09/10/09).  This may be the pictures of all pictures demonstrating Viv's baby chunk.  She's standing right next to babies her age!

Close up of Izzy and her sparkling blue eyes... she's a very sweet and well-tempered babe.  I predict she'll be an early walker too!

Here I think Isabel is wondering what Viv has in her hair and when she'll get one!

Vivian loves, loves the swing!  She has her own way of holding on.  It looks a bit reckless, but I tried to get her to hold on with both hands and she would have none of it.  According to Vivian, the higher and faster the better.

I enlisted the help of a professional... Big Brother loved to push his Little Sister!

Thank you to the Funks for a great visit!  We'd love to have you again!  :)