Monday, July 23, 2012

Family Vacation

Tori's Spa Day for her birthday!
Sea World in San Antonio, TX
Benton and the alligators.
My high-adventurers.
Alex feeding the dolphins.
All the kids got to feed the dolphins.
Tori and the Shark Tank.
The family with Shamu.

Schlitterbahn was the next day. Alex didn't want to take off any of her wrist bands.

Adalyn's first vacation. She did pretty well....as long as she got her naps.
Garrett was on the phone taking care of business every spare second he had.
We had a fun day at the Schlitterbahn.  
The weather was perfect and the crowds weren't bad at all.
Bath time at the hotel.
Ada's first time at the beach.
We got rained on the first day but the water was nice.
Tori is a little fish. She got so sunburned. With sun screen on she still blistered.
We had to get used to having sand EVERYWHERE. There is no controlling that with kids.
Snuggle time with Daddy.
Garrett and I had to take turns sitting on the sand with the little ones and catching waves with the big ones. I don't think we were ever in the same place at the same time.
Alex wandered up the and down the shore finding sea shells. She was in heaven.
Tori, before her horrific sunburn.

Garrett's spa treatment.
Alex and Tori stayed in the water boogie-boarding the entire time.
Our last day on the beach.
Benton heading out to catch a wave or two.
Ada had fun eating the sand...and sea weed.
A nice couple caught her with a mouth full of sea weed and got her to spit it out before I could get to her. Then hey offered her a granola bar instead.
Poor Garrett got fried too. Tori and Garrett have the fairest skin ever. They burn through everything. We spent the next few days applying tons of Aloe...Lavender for the sting...Peppermint for the itching...and Vaseline for the peeling.
We had a great time with the Greg and Kami Hatch Family and the Mike and Kirsten Spitzer Family too.

























Thursday, July 5, 2012

the 4th

(notice: Benton in the background covering his ears during the fireworks.)






Yes, we celebrate the 4th of July in Mexico. 
Our dear friends hosted a fantastic party for all of us Americans. There was great food, people, a bike parade, an appearance by George Washington to remind us why we celebrate the 4th, and fireworks. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the 4th of July.
I just love the beautiful sky in the background of some of these pictures.
We were poured on minutes before this BBQ was about to begin.
But, the weather was perfect for all the festivities and the sky was breathtaking. 
Happy 4th of July!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Tori's 9th

 Tori turned 9 this week. She woke up to a new bike...chocolate mousse cake for breakfast...and a day filled with bike riding and swimming.
 Tori you are such a great help to me. You love taking care of Ada and you are very good at it. You are such a responsible girl and I can always count on you.
 You were chosen to be the oldest of our family for a reason. We wouldn't have it any other way. We love you so so much.
 Your excitement for your new bike made all your siblings so excited to ride their bikes and that is what you've been doing all week long...from sun up to sun down.
 Letting you ride around town made me nervous at first but then I realized that you aren't my tiny baby anymore. You are a responsible girl...growing into a young lady.
 Your sisters and brother love you so much. Happy Birthday Tori!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

HATCH REUNION- COLORADO

 Tori was lucky enough to ride down with Uncle Frank and Aunt Cathy to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Hatch for the Hatch Family Reunion.  She had so much fun. The first day they participated in an "Amazing Race."


 The second day they got to go the lake. Tori got to go Jet Skiing.
The third day they went to Denver, Colorado's Water World. She is having a great time staying up until 1:00am every night for "platica." She is really enjoying the Hatch "ambiente". We miss her around here but she said she hasn't had enough fun to come home yet.

Alex's first gymnastics competition

Spring Board

Bar



Beam

Floor

Awards

Monday, June 18, 2012

Tori's Party

Tori's birthday falls on a month where everyone leaves town to start their summer vacations.





I've learned to have her party a few weeks early to catch all her class mates before they part ways for the summer.


Tori had a ANGRY BIRD pinata...donuts...water balloons...and ice cream.

It was fun for the kids to get out of class early and celebrate with Tori.