Spring Break 2016

We had a wonderful, extended Spring break this year! My great friend Candice came the weekend before Spring Break from the Portland area and I was so glad to have her!! She came on Thursday and we headed straight to her favorite ice cream spot! Culvers! Lucky for her, her favorite flavor happened to be the flavor of the day! We had dinner and then went over to get a pedicure! It's been a while since I had a pedicure and since my birthday was in a few days, Candice was nice enough to make it my treat! On Friday we went down to the Houston Rodeo! One of my favorite things in Houston is the rodeo and we had a good time meeting up with friends.

Jennifer, Natalie, Rebecca, Candice, Brittany, and I having fun listening to Darius Rucker!

Although the concert wasn't the top of my list, it was fun to be with friends. We of course had to stop by and get a funnel cake on the way out!! Yum!!
On Saturday Candice came with me to Cavin's soccer game, and then later in the day we went to Papacitos with some of the friends that couldn't make it to the rodeo!

Michelle, Emily, Monique and Kelsey joined us and we had a nice time...especially the hour and a half chatting in the parking lot :) haha!

I was so grateful that she came and took the time away from her family to say hi! It was so nice chatting and catching up! She is seriously and incredible person and always makes me want to do better. I am so grateful for her example and friendship. I'm so sad she doesn't live here anymore!

On Monday morning I headed to the rodeo with the kids. We met their Aunt and cousins and they were so excited to be with them!

We met them at the Pig races! Usually we love them, but this year they were a little lame!

 Checking out the tractor in "Kids Farm"

Deacon loved this water station. We kept trying to move on, but he would keep walking back!

The girls "milking" a cow...

These cute farmers ;)

The kids were dying to go to the carnival part of the rodeo. Channing and Charlotte enjoyed the carousel.

Ella was the only one brave enough to try the rollercoaster. She exclaimed how awesome it was as she exited! The boys mostly spent their tickets on a game where you threw a ball and depending on the color you got a prize. Cavin was kind enough to share his tickets and prizes so that everyone had a stuffed animal. It was a very hot day for the rodeo. It hit 90 degrees that day, but we enjoyed ourselves and got some good walking in! That evening we went to a pie party for "pi" day (3/14) and had a good time. 

Tuesday we drove down to Alvin, Texas to go strawberry picking with some friends. It was a long drive, and the strawberries weren't a great price, but it was about the experience right?!

Looking for the red, ripe strawberries!

Deacon just wanted to sit in the bushes!

He sure is cute though!
It was super busy and getting windy when we left but we had fun! On the way home we met Ragnar for lunch as we were passing his work. I was not having good luck with my directions for the last day or two, so when we got home, I was ready to stay off the road for a day or two!

Wednesday was my 33rd birthday! Man I am not loving getting older! My parents and sister Natalie came and saved the day! They got us Culvers for lunch, then my dad watched the kids while my mom took me shopping. Then we made strawberry freezer jam from all the strawberries we had picked!

We went to a place called "Christophers" for dinner and had a nice day. I was so grateful that they came and spent the day with me. Birthdays for me aren't my favorite, sometimes they can feel lonely. Ragnar had to work all day and night, so it was such a lifesaver to have my parents take the time to hang out with me and the kids!
Thursday we went to Jumpalooza and jumped with friends and then took a nice long nap :) After Ragnar surprised us by coming home early, so what did we do?? Mulched the yard! The kids wanted to help and so we went and got mulch and got it done! 

Friday we woke up and headed to an early showing of "Zootopia" At 9:30 they weren't too many people at the theatre! They had renovated the theatre and it was awesome!! Deacon did well for the first hour and then was ready to go run..Almost 20 months isn't an easy age to take anywhere! After we went to Costco and then to my parents house!

We played puzzles and outside, and then the kids made these little critters with my moms new craft things she bought. They had a good time and it was nice to be there. Ragnar seriously worked everyday and all but one night of spring break, so I was glad to have my parents close to play with us! Saturday we went to a baptism, then had lunch and haircuts for the boys, and then Ragnar took me out for a late birthday date. We went to dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse and then to the movie "Allegiant". It was nice to get out together and we had a nice Spring Break!