beach day!

On Saturday we decided to squeeze in one last trip to the beach before fall.  We took the four oldest kids.  Dahlia doesn't really like being in the water and makes Brian hold her the whole time, so we didn't bring her.  For it being Labor Day weekend, the beach was surprisingly empty.  It was nice and relaxing siting in a chair, under the beach umbrella, watching the kids play.

back to school

The summer flew by and the kids started their first day of school on Monday.  Everyone had a great first day.  My kids are growing up way too fast!

Laila started first grade

Ava is now in third grade

Aiden is now in sixth grade

Dario started seventh grade and is now in jr. high!

Before the kids started school, I made them some treats to celebrate the new year.  These apple cakes were so fun to make.

The kids loved these pencils which had a roll of candy inside of them.

goodbye pacifier!

Ever since Dahlia was a tiny baby in the hospital, up until recently, she was completely attached to her pacifier.  It had gotten to the point that she couldn't go to sleep without it and would have it in her mouth all day long.  It was messing up her teeth and when I tried to take it away, Dahlia would throw a huge fit.  Although it had been a huge lifesaver in the past, during scary hospital stays and doctor appointments, it was finally time to let it go.  Brian and I decided that enough was enough, time to break the habit!  We threw all of her pacifiers away, which I felt really bad about.  The first day was rough, but after that it went surprisingly well!  Unfortunately, Dahlia's naps might be a thing of the past, because it is so hard to get her to take one, without that dang pacifier.   Dahlia has now been paci free for about two weeks now!

fourth of july

We had a fun fourth of July spent with lots of family.  All of the kids were so cute in their patriotic outfits.  We went to a parade in the morning, went swimming, had a yummy dinner at Lauren and Dan's and saw fireworks at night.  It rained off and on the whole day and it was so humid, hot and muddy, but that didn't stop everyone from enjoying the day.

ochoa family vacation

We recently went on the annual Ochoa family vacation.  This year we stayed in cabins at South Toledo Bend State Park.  The kids had so much fun getting to spend the whole week with lots of cousins.  Brian's mom and sister also planned lots of fun games and activities to help keep the kids entertained.

The guys rented two canoes and went out fishing in them.  Aiden caught this alligator gar.  Brian tried to fillet it, but the scales are like armor and he couldn't even cut into it.

Dario was proud of this catfish he caught.

The girls with two of their girl cousins.  All together there are eight little girl cousins, who are very close in age.

eden gardens state park

One of the days we were in Florida we visited Eden Gardens State Park.  This was such a lovely state park.  The grounds were full of huge oak trees, one of which was dated to be over 700 years old!  We toured the historic home, which was built in 1897, by a family who owned a lumber mill.  The house sat abandoned for a number of years until it was bought and restored.  Years later when the owner became ill, she donated the house to the state of Florida.  The grounds were so tranquil and it was a nice little break from the beach.

eleven!

Aiden turned eleven years old on Saturday.  For his special day he went crabbing in the morning.  While he was gone the girls and I decorated his room with clear balloons that we put dollar bills in.  That night for dinner we took Aiden to the restaurant of his choosing.  He chose his favorite Chinese restaurant.  When I took Aiden's picture he pulled a mustache out of nowhere and told me took take some pictures of him with it on.  I was cracking up at all the crazy faces he was making.  My little guy is growing up!

florida!

Last week we went on vacation to Florida.  We left the day after the kids got out of school for the summer.  Everyone was so excited to hit the road.  It is about an eight hour drive from here to Florida, but with stops for breakfast and lunch, it took a little longer.  Even though we have a beach close to us in Texas, the Florida beach is so beautiful, that it is worth the long drive to us.  We stayed in a resort just outside of Destin, in Miramar Beach.  One of the things we loved about this resort was that it was right next to a state park, so there was a very long stretch of nearly deserted beach to play on.  We had a gorgeous view of the nature preserve and the beach right out our condo window.  Where we stayed was very close to the scenic highway 30A.  We took a drive down it one day to Seaside; such a cute little town.  We also took several outings to Destin, which is a fun town with lots to see and do.  This was our second trip to Florida and I'm already daydreaming about going back!