If you build it... they will come...

Well, it's been about 2 weeks since we built the tree house and it's been a hit! We've hosted play dates, happy hours and dinners... and the backyard it working out quite nice! We already have ideas for more "additions" later... haha! But for now, we will enjoy the space with all who want to play... that is, before it gets too hot!

Let's Build a Tree House!

That's right... we finally did it, and it turned out AWESOME! Bob and I have been planning, designing, drawing {yes - I drew plans for this thing} for months now. We set the posts during the week prior so we could just jump in on building that Saturday morning. I think I am in love with it just as much as the kids! - ha! I have been waiting to have kids just so I could design a tree house :) The pictures are best at telling the story...and if you haven't seen this in person and want to play - come on over!

{Before}

{Bridgette checking out the materials}

{Drawing with Mimi}

{Making design decisions as we go...}

{Hey, this slide is great for little cars!}

{Bridgette and Ayers helping out with the process}

{Breakfast with Mommy the next morning}

{"Achou" Aiden}

{Swing set is up and ready to go!}

{I think the kids like it! ;)}

Weekend away...

Wow I'm behind! I'm going to try and catch up in 3 posts! About a month ago, Bob and I had our first "weekend away" since Aiden... and the first time we've left both kids for 2 days! Bob started a new company not long ago, and they have what's called "adios weekend" - a.k.a. party weekend for employees + spouse (no kids)! So of course we wanted to take advantage! My parents were in Chicago, so we drove to Houston... dropped the kids off with Vovo e Vovo ... then headed to Austin. A long drive, but oh so worth it! A BIG thank you to the grandparents for taking care of our little ones for the weekend! We know they are a handful but from the pictures you sent, looks like they had a lot of fun! Beijos, beijos!!

{relaxed parents}

{Vovo, you're so funny!}

{What? I didn't do anything!?}

{Stare contest with the dog! Aiden isn't scared :)}

Easter 2011 {Houston}

This year we celebrated Easter weekend in Houston with the {whole} family in town! And by whole, I mean we were celebrating the latest member of the family! WE HAVE A NEPHEW! Sandra, Cliff, and Ava welcomed Alexander Jude Curtis to the world on April 16th and we were able to meet him that same week! He is so precious, and I'm excited to see how the girls v. boys play together as they get older - ha! Martha and Christina flew in too, and it was great to catch up and hang out with everyone together in person! The weather was nice, so we were able to spend a lot of time outside and in the pool. It was fun to watch how different the girls reacted to the water... Bridgette was more cautious and slowly got in one foot at a time... while Ava wanted to dive right in! haha They liked playing in the sun shelf, walking along the steps (singing), and throwing the balls in the water for everyone to fetch. It was funny to watch one of them think of an idea, and the other one would follow. Then there was Aiden just watching intently like "why can't I play"? (Soon enough!)

{Meet Alex}

{Pool Time!}

{Bob showed Bridgette what a cannonball is... }

{...this was her reaction...}

{...and then giving her daddy "approval" - fist bump!}

{Easter activities! Vovo brought back this HUGE chocolate egg for the kids to share,

and then the girls got their own egg hunt in the back yard...}

{Bridgette showed Ava how much fun it was to dump all the eggs in the fountain}

{all twelve of us now!}

Eggs, Eggs, Everywhere!

We got ready for Easter this year with a lot of egg activities the whole week before. First we had a family picnic and egg hunt with the early childhood PTA. The weather was beautiful, but Bridgette wasn't so sure of the eggs at first - I had to open them to show her that it was safe!

Then on Sunday we went to my parents house for a great lunch, egg dying, and a relaxing afternoon. Bridgette and Poppa tried to entertain Aiden with plastic eggs; Aiden tried standing up to the push walker then passed out on Mimi's lap outside; then Bob and I helped Bridgette dye eggs, while competing with each other on who would have the best looking eggs.