Family Day= Houston Zoo!!

Even though our whole family still seems to have an ongoing cold, we have been telling the kids for a few days that we were going to take them to the zoo on family day. Asher has been seriously obsessed with dinosaurs lately (he roars continually) and they have a whole dinosaur exhibit that lasts until September! My parents got us zoo passes for the whole year as a birthday present and we have already used the passes so much. What a great gift! We never really get to see the whole zoo in one trip (it's so hot and the zoo is huge) but we try to see the kids favorite animals. Zoee loves to go to the petting zoo and pet the goats, Asher loved seeing the dinosaurs (he would just stand there in awe of them until we made him move on to the next animal!!) and they both love feeding the giraffes. Though it was hot and we weren't feeling 100%, we had a great time and got home in time for naps!!

Feeding the giraffes their salad! Yummy!!

Handsome little man in awe of the giraffes!

Very life-like depiction of a T-Rex! The kids honestly couldn't tell the difference between these "pretend" animals and the real ones! Great job Houston Zoo!

We all got to pet the baby alligator!

Incredibly thankful the T-Rex isn't real!

Daddy and dinosaurs... Asher's favorite!

More Summertime Pictures...

As I was looking through my photo library, I noticed that there were a bunch of random pictures that I have not had time time to edit/load. Here are some more moments that I think should be documented in the Howard photo library =).

Our street had a block party at the beginning of the summer and everyone rented a HUGE slide to go between our house and our neighbors house. The kids LOVED it! Asher was a little hesitant at first but he gets pretty brave when he sees other boys doing something he might not have otherwise had the courage to attempt. This was one such event. One of our neighbor boys was so sweet to slide with Asher a few times until he got the courage to go by himself.

Our neighbor Kielee loves to help me with Zoee. She is so sweet to both our kiddos...

Zoee at the block party... just chillin'

Three of our neighbor girls. They are so good with all the little kids...

We have been to the Oil Ranch in Hockley 2 times this summer (thanks to Living Social deals) and the kids love it! Asher still talks about how he was able to jump in the huge barn filled with hay and the train that we all got to ride. They let you feed cows, hold baby goats, ride horses, jump in the hay, ride trains and just PLAY a lot. It's pretty hot there in the summer but they even have a little pool that the kids can play in after getting all sweaty. Here are some picture from our first trip earlier this summer...

Asher and the horse...

Zoee giving me her "no pictures please" look...

Zoee and Kinley...

Me and the crazy kiddos...

Beautiful Kinley...

 The train! What kid wouldn't LOVE to ride this!!??

Kristen and Kinley...

Kaitlyn and the goats... =)

Time is Flying By... Picture Recap!

Oh my goodness time is just flying by! I can't make it slow down! I can't keep my babies from growing up. I now have 2 little people instead of 2 little babies! Though we have days that are seriously nuts, most days are filled with learning, laughter and love. Zoee and Asher are in a new stage where they are learning to be kind to one another. Today they got in trouble for irritating each other and both had to go to their rooms since they couldn't be kind. I was talking with Asher as we walked to his room and telling him that this he and Sissy would not be in trouble if he would have shared with her. He responded calmly with "I don't want to share with Sissy." That's the heart of the issue we have been working on daily- trying to love the other person more than we love ourselves. Sharing when we don't want to for the sake of peace and joy in our home. It's difficult to train our kids but I know that it is so rewarding. Here are some more pictures to capture our summer...

Asher turned 3 in June and we had a small party for him at the Burke's home. Here is our family of 4 at his party...

Our 3 year old with his best friend Brooks...

 I tried to have me and Zoee matching a little at Asher's b-day party. We both had summery dresses on- I sure love having a little girl!

 Asher and Brooks on the trampoline...

 Zoee in her lovely dress. This is my favorite dress of hers!

Zoee with all of her animals in a cute dress that Mimi got her...

Little Miss with her new fall boots. I LOVE when she wants to wear these around the house and I hope her feet will stay the same size through the winter so she can wear them out! So stinkin cute!!

Zoee "talking" on an old phone of ours...

Not a baby anymore!!

Asher with my parents new puppy... Little Bit... my kids LOVE animals!

 Zoee and Little Bit...

 Zoee and her best friend, Kinley at Mr. Burke's office. They were being the secretaries for the hour! Sales would sky-rocket if people could see all the cuteness in this office!!

Sweet Summertime!!

Though Texas summertimes can be incredibly brutal, we try to find as much joy in the summer sun as we can! We have gotten to spend SO much time in the pool with friends and it's been wonderful! I love the smell of sunscreen and the taste of cold watermelon! Here are some of the captured moments from our adventures this summer...

Zoee has loved her sunglasses and she likes to wear them upside down! 

 Here is our big guy with his sun-kissed cheeks after a long day of swimming...

 Daddy and Asher planted some herbs in our backyard so we can use them in our cookin.' Can't wait to cook with the basil and rosemary...

Me and my precious little Sunshine... She has so much personality (just like her Daddy) and she makes us smile everyday!

Baby girl playing in the water =)

I am so thankful for the summertime and getting to enjoy the outdoors with my wonderful family and friends. Jesus has been so sweet to us and we try to live everyday with thankful hearts. 

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the might mountains, your justice like the great deep. O, Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house ; You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light."

~Psalm 36:5-9

Date night!

We got to go on a date the other night to one of our friend's wedding. We took the kids to my parents because the wedding was very close to their house and when we were on the way I realized that I had forgotten my dress for the wedding! I have such a sweet husband that decided we could take a little shopping trip to Katy to one of my favorite stores White House Black Market where I got a new dress and shoes. It was a great date and I love my new dress =).

Dear Zoee...

Dear Zoee,

I just have to write these few things down before you grow up and I don't remember them!! You have been quite the little talker lately and you say things daily that make us laugh. Here are a few things that you have said recently...

1. When I ask you to do something and even today when I asked you to give me a kiss, you said "Uh... SURE!"

2. Your favorite phrase lately is "Oh my goodness!" You say it all the time, even when it isn't necessary. The other day you asked me "Where's Dadddy?" I told you he was in the living room and you replied... "Oh my goodness!" Silly girl!

3. When you and Asher ride in his hot wheels jeep you ALWAYS end the ride with this phrase "Awesome Asher!" 

4. Recently when you wake up the first thing I hear from your room is always "Mommy... where ARE you!??" You say it with such enthusiasm as if you have been in your bed for hours and asking for me even though you have just gotten up. Love your passion!

That's all for now little lady! We love you so much baby girl. You are a blessing and a joy!

Love,

Mommy