September 2011

KC took Pearl on a date to the mall to do the bungee trampolines and ride the train.

The kids had been working on animal names in Spanish class, so we told them we would take them to the zoo if they learned them. We went to the Brownsville Zoo (an hour's drive from our house) on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. It was the zoo's 40th birthday so admission was $1. KC suggested we go a different day because it would be packed. I was sure that if we got there before it opened at 9 a.m., it wouldn't be too crowded or too hot to enjoy. (This was my thinking because if you go shopping anywhere here in "the valley" before 11 a.m., nobody is out. One major cultural difference here: the Hispanics stay up late and generally get a late start in the morning.) Well, I guess they made an exception for $1 zoo day. When we got there at 8:40, the line was a mile long. It was a hot wait, but the kids (mostly Pearl) insisted we wait and see the animals. We waited in line just over an hour to get in. :s
We spent 45 minutes looking at the animals before we were too hot to enjoy it/tolerate it any longer. :)
Pearly and her favorite animal, the "tigre."

On Labor Day morning, we headed to South Padre Island. Pearl had to use the bathroom on the drive so we immediately pulled into the closest shop. I took her to use the bathroom and came out to find that KC had purchased giant ice-cream cones for the kids. Keep in mind that it was like 10 a.m.
Needless to say, we arrived at Schlitterbahn water park with very messy swimsuits. :s This cool little water park is right on the beach. It has a lazy river that goes around the entire thing with entrances to the different slides right off the river. Thus, you hardly ever have to get out of the water!! A good thing in very hot weather. Pearl enjoyed the water slides and Coby put on a brave front, although I don't think he enjoyed them much.
Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunn for a costume birthday party of someone KC works with. (The party had a movie theme.)
Pearl and Coby were smurfs. Of course they will also be smurfs for Halloween. :)
My mom and dad came to visit for a week! We celebrated Grandma's 53rd birthday the evening they arrived. Pearl and Coby were so excited to put up balloons and make a cake with 53 candles.

While my parents were here, we went to the church one night and rehearsed a talent for the ward talent show. I stumbled through "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" on the guitar while Pearl sang both versus. She was so cute and not scared at all when she performed in the talent show.
We made another trip to the beach with my parents. We had been excited for some time to try a bay fishing trip. We did a 3 hour tour and hardly caught anything. Was a little disappointing but the kids thought it was great.

The biggest catch of the day. :s

We also took my parents to Schlitterbahn Water Park. This is KC trying out his moves in the mock surf area while trying not to loose his swimsuit.
My parents got to watch one of Pearl and Coby's gymnastics classes while they were here. We initially went to try out this class for Pearl. Of course after the coach/owner told Coby that he should try the class too because he looked so strong (Coby's favorite compliment), he wanted to participate also. (Good tactic, Coach.) I like this class because there are 3 coaches (all male, which I thought was interesting) so they don't have to stand in line too much of the time. They get some good exercise in 45 minutes!!

A picture Coby may not like too much one day. :)

A fun week with Grandpa and Grandma.

Coby sleeping with his two favorite items, Penguin Blanky and Benji Dog.

A swim on a hot day at the end of September. (This pool is just down the street from our house and is NEVER crowded at all. Nice!) I've been lighting my fall-scented candle, baking apple and pumpkin desserts and pretending like there is a chill in the air. In reality, the air is a little dryer but without a chill, and the temperature highs are still 95 most days, lows during the night in the 70's. A dryer 95 sure feels better than a humid 105 though! So we aren't complaining!! ;)