We're Batty

For our evening activity, we took Clint downtown and we ate at the Spaghetti Warehouse.

Then we walked over to the Congress Street Bridge to watch the bats which fly out at sunset. We missed the majority of them, but still saw a lot of bats! Sarah has decided the smell actually grows on you, but I wouldn't want to stand under the bridge. It wasn't bad at all up on top.

This also turned out to be the best time for wearing our matching shirts designed by Sarah! There were so many of us in matching shirts, it sort of seemed like we were with a traveling group.

Texas Pool Party

What do you get when you toss five cousins, two aunts and an uncle in a pool? Well, it's a party! It was a great day to be in the water. We went back to the same pool since we'd enjoyed it so much last time.

Clint went with us this time and slid on slides, floated on the lazy river, and splashed kids when necessary. We'll miss this pool when we go home, but it wouldn't be as much fun without the cousins anyway.

Frame Artists

Today is Sarah and Steffanie's combined July birthdays. We are doing activities both today and tomorrow to celebrate with them. The kids were thrilled today when we surprised them with frames to paint. Both Sarah and Steffanie enjoy any art project!

We printed off a bunch of photos of the cousins all together during this vacation, and let the kids paint their own canvas frame. Then they can keep the frames in their rooms to remember how much their cousins love them.

Sabbath Family Worship

We gathered at the end of the Sabbath for another special worship. We sang songs, watched a facinating science display with a spiritual lesson (thanks to Elizabeth), and played more charades.

The charades have been very popular with the kids. Tonight's charades included Lazarus (James) with his mourning sisters (convincingly played by Heidi and Becky) and Jesus (Clint, who else really?).

The kids did a great job with their charades too.

Lego Land in Texas

There was a burst of building happening this afternoon. Lots of creations did not survive for very long, but Steffanie demonstrated a great deal of patience to complete the details of her building. Ben made a house that you could drive and live in it too.

Sabbath Family

After church we made everybody stay in their Sabbath clothes long enough for a bunch of family photos. A couple turned out pretty well. Lots of smiling faces helps for great photos anyway.


We tried to duplicate an old photo of the cousins to include Christopher in a circle.



Then Ben & Christopher posed with their nearly matching bears.

VBS Kids

Sarah was so glad to be asked to help at the VBS program today. She was able to help Christopher. It was a lot of fun, especially since she doesn't know anyone except her cousins at this church. They were doing a science theme, and today they made goo.

NASA - Phase 3

Our time at NASA came to an end so quickly. We would probably have tried to stay longer if they would have just stayed open for us. The kids ended the day at the Kids Space Place. Let's just say it was a BLAST! Ha Ha!

Everyone said it was great and we'd go back again in a heartbeat. I was wishing Heidi could have been with us, but I suppose someone has to be responsible and get some work done.

We decided to go touch the Gulf of Mexico, or at least some water that sort of touched the Gulf of Mexico, since we were so close. James was the first one out of the car and hurried to touch the water, and convinced a fairly reluctant Ben to touch it too. After this adventure, we capped off the day with a trip to IHOP and then a long drive home in the dark.

NASA - Phase 2

This trip to NASA, although we noted it was for Ben's July Birthday, was really a day for Clint & James. They have both wanted to go here forever. I must admit it has been at the top of my wish list too. Clint didn't think it would be right to go to Texas and miss NASA. So, although others might have hesitated, we boldly went forth to Houston.


We went through a bunch of NASA historical items (very cool) and had an opportunity to "Touch the Moon." I was struck by all the actual space items on display - the actual rockets and space capsules we'd seen on TV. It felt like we had to really rush through the museum to catch the shuttle.

This shuttle took us to the historic Mission Control. It was really interesting, and we were sitting in the same seats as many VIPs over the years. Ben was sitting in the same seat Queen Elizabeth used during her visit. He was asked to practice his queen wave, and the cousins all did a curtsy to him.

We nearly skipped the next shuttle stop thinking we were overdoing the kids, but James wouldn't hear of it. It was the HUGE Saturn V complex at rocket park. Photos just can't do it justice. We just kept walking around saying, "Wow"!

Then we paused for a brief landing on the moon (or maybe it was just a giant photo).

NASA - Phase 1

We made it to Houston without any problems! This was a big day, so we'll split it up. We were so happy to get out of the car and head inside. The kids tried on all sorts of helmets and listened to all sorts of programs.

We went into a replica Space Shuttle. There was a warning to watch your head. James was confused about this warning and kept losing his head. Very funny fellow...

Ben's Birthday in July

Ben was happy today for his birthday to arrive. For his celebration, we're heading to Houston to visit NASA. He has often aspired to being an astronaut someday. He used to say he wanted to go up in a rocket, but could Mom come with him? Of course she wouldn't miss it. He was all smiles while opening his gift and then we were off to Houston.

More Birthdays

We also tossed in the grown-up birthdays tonight. We had counted our trip to Six Flags as the birthday celebration for the grown-ups, but we didn't get to sing and share gifts.

The kids really worked to keep their gifts a secret. Wish we could share our birthdays every year!

After our homemade pizza supper and Christopher's pie, we took the dogs out for a walk. Summer evenings in Texas are certainly lovely for a walk.

Christopher's Birthday

Well, maybe on your calendar you would see Christopher's birthday in January. But we're throwing out the calendars on this visit. Today was Christopher's birthday and he was gracious to share his strawberry pie with us.

Elizabeth thrilled him with a special gift. Then we gave him a "Build-a-Bear" with a voice recording from us telling him we love him. When he squeezed the paw and heard our voices he said, "How did you get in there?"

Geocaching Cousins

Took the cousins (& uncle) for their first geocache. Our first try was too brushy/hot so we abandoned it, but our second try was full of fun treasures for the kids.

Six Flags Over Texas

We had a blast at Six Flags today!

Texas Curiosities

We learned a few things in Texas. One is not to worry about lizards running across your feet if you stand outside to chat on the phone. I'll admit this was a bit startling, but I'm sure these lizards serve a useful purpose.

The other thing we learned is that we must not be real people after all! According to this sign, real people eat meat. Since we don't eat meat there is only one logical conclusion. Hmm... I wonder if this means we can get some discounts on airfare or health insurance? What category would we fall into if we're not real people? It is all a bit confusing. Maybe Texas isn't the place for us, or maybe we could come back to be vegetarian missionaries to this land of meat-eaters. They obviously have been misled somehow. Sad, really...