Tulip Time!

Okay, yes, these are REAL tulips--as most of you know, we spent the first weekend in May up in Iowa to celebrate my grandparents (my dad's parents) 65th Wedding anniversary! I know--how cool is that!?! On top of that, we decided as a whole family (aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, nephews and of course, my parents) to go on the annual Tulip Time weekend, held in my parents hometown of Pella, Iowa. The whole town is designed like an old Holland village, complete with Dutch architecture and all! It is pretty amazing! And the parade we were in--well of course, we had to show off our Dutch Heritage--that's right--100% dutch. ANYWAY--the whole town is decked out in tulips of every color that bloom year to year. Here are just a few of the bazillion pictures I took over the 4 day trip. I'll add more later--the ones on my new camera are big so it takes longer. These are some from my smaller, less megapixel camera!
The dutch girls! (We didn't plan for the outfits to match perfectly, but they clearly do! Our ancestors are from Friesland in Holland, so that's the outfits we are sporting!)
Ohhh....such a cute Dutchman--who wouldn't want to scrub streets with this guy??
My youngest nephew--Kimber's youngest so far--Kyle. What a cutie!
My sisters and their husbands as we wait for the parade to begin--from left: Kimber, Brandon, Scott, and Angelia
Kimber and Angelia--of course we had to stop for a pic (while we were out shopping as the kids and hubbies took naps one day)!
Isn't she a doll???

Kimber's oldest, Tyler
Angelia's youngest (so far), Barrett
The Dutch women--that's right, we are super proud of our Dutch heritage. My grandpa always says, "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much!"
Our Dutchmen--so handsome!

Somehow, I didn't get a good picture with our wooden shoes on--or in Dutch, our Klompen (it was cold that day, and though not the easiest to walk in, they are suprisingly warm!) Check out my sister Angelia's site--she has more to see from our weekend as well at www.mamastoeheadboyz.blogspot.com

As I said, I'll post more later, with pictures from the anniversary dinner and more--stay tuned!

Our latest evening ritual...

The past week or so Ryan has been in the habit of watering her "flowery garden" as she calls it (I think it's from a Dora episode..). It's just the flowers in our front flower beds. Anyway, she got the idea from Grammy (Chris's mom). She has a watering can as a play toy in her bath, and now has realized its full potential! : ) She LOVES getting in the flowers and watering them *usually a whole can for one flower*! Anyway--of course I had to take pictures of it because its just so "ryan" and so cute!

Silly Side Up

A few more of the photos...

Family Pictures

Over the Easter break, we had family pictures made. For those of you who feel like you don't get family pictures done often enough, rest assured--we are worse! It has been over a year!! When your child is just 2 1/2, that's nearly half her life without a family photo made!! Pathetic! Tomorrow we are supposed to get our first real slideshow of pictures, but Sandy Shannon, the photographer (who is fantastic by the way!) sent me a sneak peek today. It completely made my day!

A fun weekend yet again!

This weekend Texas A&M's Vet school was hosting an "Open House" event with a petting zoo, exhibits, and more. Check out a few of the things we saw...
This is Radar, the world's largest horse. He stands 21 and 1/2 hands high! Want to see how tall that is???
Pretty stinkin' tall!!
And just around the corner from the world's largest horse...a miniature DONKEY! The sign next to him said not to stick your hands in because he thinks your fingers are carrots. Ryan got a little scared and decided to keep several feet away!
A kangaroo!! In the petting zoo!! She was so soft and Ryan loved petting her. My batteries ran low so I didn't get a good one of her petting it.

And on the way out...dandilions!!! : ) Chris and I tried to show her how to make a wish and blow--Ryan said, "Blow away flowers, blow away" rather than actually blowing on them! It was very cute!

Just a little political

I've never been huge into politics, but I like to vote--especially for President. Chris and I have been pretty into the Presidential election this year. In Texas, you have a chance to actually vote in the "primary" twice (often known as the Texas Two Step)--once in the general primary and then later that night you can caucus. I did that and somehow became a delegate. Yesterday was the county convention caucus where we had to vote yet again to send on delegates to the state. Check out the nearly 700 people I was with to support my candidate....pretty cool to see the process at work and be a part of history. : )

And no, I'm not making a big deal about who I'm for in the election--everyone is entitled to their own vote and who am I to say that you need to vote like I do? May the best person win....