Sea World

We arrived at our hotel on late Sunday afternoon and hit the pools as soon as we could get changed!

 Think she wanted out?  This was her while we waited on Adam to check us in.

 The resort had this fun activity - very entertaining!  

 Our polka dot bathing beauties!

Monday morning we met our friends, the Cooks, for breakfast and headed out to Sea World!  I was so excited - I had been as a kid and couldn't wait to share it with the kids. 

 We stopped by the dolphin pool first.  After this the kids were ready to go…all 6 of them.  Well, 5 of them…Piper didn't have an opinion.  They thought they had seen it all and were ready to go swim at the hotel :).

 At the seal show!

 Oh-she was super sassy at Sea World.  

 Just like the car ride, she ate her way thru Sea World.

 It was hot, like really hot.  Imagine that…last week of July in Texas…who would've thought ;).   I found a couple spray bottles in my bag and they were like gold in keeping the kids cool.

 The Dads and kids stood in the splash zone of this water ride to cool off.  The kids were too little to ride almost every ride…not that they would have anyway ;).

 The Killer Whale saved Sea World.  It was awesome and so incredible.  

 This is what Sea World looks like in the afternoon on a hot day…a bit foggy, sweaty parents, sweaty kids, sweaty baby.

 This about sums up her day.

Seriously - so incredible!  

Here was our 2 cents on Sea World.  Not worth it.  Why?  It was a lot of money.  It was a lot of walking with little kids in 100 degree weather.  Our kids were just as entertained at the hotel pool as they were here.  However - we are glad we went.  I have wanted to go since we lived in Texas so now it can be crossed off the bucket list ;).

Road Trip to San Antonio with a pit stop in Keller

One of the perks of Adam's job is that he travels to fun places and this time we got to join him!  He had a meeting at the Hyatt Regency Resort in San Antonio last week.  The resort is geared towards families and a couple other Alcon families were going.  I am going to get to Texas any chance I can get!

This post is dedicated to the road trip and phew, what a trip it was.  We left Saturday morning at 8:30 and before we were on the highway Laney was wanting out of her carseat.

 Leaving the driveway, everyone was happy!

 Laney asked for my phone so she could take selfies - Good Lord.

 I spent half of the 8 hour trip to Keller in the back between the girls, they were always needing something - specifically Laney.

 Laney does not dig car rides at all.  I mean, she was wanting out of her carseat before we got on the highway.  She would just scream,  "I waaaannnnntttt ouuuuuutttttt."  She wanted a snack every 15 minutes.  She wanted to sit on my lap or me to sit on hers…not sure where that came from.  She was very uncooperative.  Thank goodness for Adam because for the most part we just laughed it off.  Had I been alone, I would have been in tears.

 I think I ate half of this box during one of her major breakdowns.  Gosh they are good!

 This baby was pretty happy as long as we kept her belly full.

 This boy was a rockstar!  He can rock a road trip like no other.  He didn't once ask when we were going to be there or make a single complaint.  He played on the iPad, drew pictures, read books, played with his cars and asked Laney to please be quiet ;).

She sleeps!  It was a peaceful 25 minutes of the 8 hours :).  When we got to our hotel she kept saying, "I so happy to be in hotel."  We noticed Laney and so are we!

We met some friends at our hotel, met some friends for dinner at Mi Chulas - one of our old favorites.  Then we drove thru our old neighborhood and by our house.  

This is the entrance to our old neighborhood - Cooper always referred to it as Robin's house (as in Batman and Robin - his imaginary friend).  He said Robin wasn't living there anymore, he's in South America.  

It wouldn't be a trip to Keller without hitting up ice cream and shopping at Southlake Town Square!  Milwaukee Joe's was always Adam's favorite!

 Some things never change…the boys went to the Apple store and us girls went to the fountains.  Laney really wanted to put her feet in - I told her none of the other kids were so let's not do it.  She said, "you just not watch me mommy." Then she proceeded to put her feet in.

 It was a beautiful Texas night and it made me miss this place like crazy!  

 Look at those teeth!  And for the record, they are sharp - she likes to bite when she is nursing.

Ha!  Piper's hair blowing in the wind - Laney is dazed and confused.  

The next morning we climbed back into the car and headed south to San Antonio.  It was another rough 5 hours with Laney Faith.  But we made it safe and sound - more on San Antonio soon!

Meanwhile back at home

I left early Thursday morning - pulled out of driveway at 4am!  Adam was still out of town so Aunt Alli came straight from work on Wednesday night at 8:30 to stay the night and pull the morning shift until Adam was back home.  She's the best!

These children are not an easy task, no matter how good they are.  Al sent me this picture the next morning.

Thursday night, Adam and Cooper had his tee ball party.  My mom kept the girls.

 He got his trophy and then dropped and shattered it when he got home.  Oops!

Adam sent me these pics on Thursday night - the kids upgraded their sleeping arrangements to my room.

On Friday, Adam and the kids were headed to Wash, MO to meet Baby Brody!  I know - how dare they without me!?  My kids were instructed to give him lots of hugs and kisses from me.

 Piper delayed the trip a bit with this mess.  Look closely at the floor.  Yep, that's poop!  All I could do was laugh.

 The best part is that Adam proceeded to take pictures.

They all made it to Wash, MO Friday afternoon.  From what I hear there was lots of playing and swimming.  Adam later told me I packed too many clothes for the kids.  Really?  I packed an outfit and pajamas for each day.  Apparently, they never changed out of pjs except to swim.  Gotta love dads! Less laundry for me :).

 There's that sweet baby boy!

 She was so excited to see Haddie and Bynn, as she call them.  Maggie said they were very shy around one another in the beginning but warmed up quickly.

 A pic that I requested.

I kept getting pics of the girls but none of Cooper - he was too busy playing with Cash and Kellen to slow down for a pic.  I got this one late at night right before he went to bed.  Please note- he and Laney went to bed on Friday night in the same pjs they went to bed in Thursday night without ever changing :).

Adam sent this to me and said, "She misses her Mom."  Poor baby :(.

We were all happily reunited on Sunday afternoon!  I was so happy to see my babies!!!!!!!

All the Hoopla on Hoopla

A few weekends ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Stella & Dot's annual conference, Hoopla, for the 3rd year in a row.  This year was Orlando and it wasn't a disappointment.  We saw an incredible fashion show debuting the new fall line, got lots of inspirational training and insight to the company, and just had so.much.fun.  There was about 50 in our group and everyone is just so nice!  We really have the best time together - it's quickly turning into my favorite trip of the year.  

My roomie Jen, who is a fun friend on my team.  We had lots of fun together that started with a 6am flight from KC to Orlando.

 I won this fab bag!  It is an exclusive print - only a few made!!  And hello KU colors - it was meant to be!

 Pink is the color for Fall!

 Love this combo!

 As I mentioned before, we got to hear Christy Turlington speak about her foundation, Every Mother Counts.

 She even passed out bracelets to everyone!

 One day they honored all Star Stylists - we even had our own stars on the walk of fame :).

We walked across stage :)

I wish I had more pics - my phone wasn't very cooperative :(.  Stella & Dot continues to be such a great fit in my life and I am so thankful for it!  Thank you to all you readers you are loyal hostesses and customers!!!