Summer....has come and gone. I really have procrastinated for months, reasons vary, to post anything! So, here I am....with my Summer Story!   Water World was sooo much fun. We arrived mid-morning in awe at the oversized rides looming over the park.

We quickly made our way to the cabana to unload and study the map... so may decisions. Everywhere we gazed, the water invited us to join the FUN and the rides called to us "Excitement".                                  

Endless possibilities!

A fun contraption for kids!

Smiles confirm this water slide was a thrill for all.

A happy ending to a fabulous water filled day!

Short...Sweet...and WET!

Last Monday the grandkids spent a day with Grandpa and Grandma...all around the water. What a great way to spend the day. We were in town visiting my parents as well, but devoted a full day with our two grand-girls.
Our day started with a morning visit to the Acquarium, at the Bio Park. This place gets two thumbs up!

The largest tank has the largest fish...very logical to me. That means SHARKS! Grandpa was especially attracted to these species. Not quite sure why, but he stood at this exhibit snapping pictures for...well, for ever!

Here was a unique window into more fun underwater creatures which grabbed our attention. This tank seemed to go on forever. There are lots of places for fish to swim through like arches and  coral giving a hiding place for smaller fish.

Now take a look at this cute guy, or girl, or whatever they are... His safe haven is inside the shell among some plants. I just had to capture him on film!

Now here's a picture for my heart!
My two favorite girls having fun together.
 
                                                 Nice shot girls!

We happened into this fun exhibit area just as the action started. And feeding time down under brings everything out to get their share of good eats.

This underwater mermaid had all the friends she could handle!

With the feeding frenzy in full swing the girls had a great backdrop for this shot!

What do you get with water, fish and 3 girls?

Lots of FUN!!

We liked this tank a lot. Probably because we could get up close, literally within an arms reach, to the stingrays. They fascinate me with their graceful, effortless gliding over the sandy floor,  turning upside along the glass wall, all as a matter of...well, it's just what they do.

By noon we were ravenous and headed out to eat. Our next stop ... the YMCA.

It was our turn to get into the action...water action! A nice heated indoor pool was the perfect place to get wet. We grabbed a purple ball and the fun started.

There was  a lot of action between the ball, the water and us trying to keep from swallowing more water than we were swimming in!

We all had some good hits on that purple ball, and keeping it off the water was  our challenge.

Grandpa invited a couple of young boys to join us...they were really really really wanting to join the fun.

Having extra team members added some good "battles" for the ball.

These two sisters really love each other, just don't let a purple ball come between them!

The day was over way to fast, but we were filled with loving memories...

Dad with his eyes closed!

Little Dylan with Hannah...

Sister Sequoia...

Dad outside taking a walk ...

Mom relaxing after a long day and good mexican food for supper.









Life is good!

Our 2nd Annual Galveston Summer Vacation
This year was the perfect end to summer. Fun in the sun and a dash of a vacation!  We planned for lots of beach time, relaxation and long lasting memories. Setting up "camp" was pretty easy with this giant umbrella!

 Mom and Dad enjoyed the beach like they did in former days...close to the water with toes in the surf...yeah, that feels really good. We made several excursions testing out different locations along Seawall Blvd, and liked them all.

 Dad ventured out the second day into the surf, walker and all. We took pictures to prove his "big fish story" was not so fishy, just in case anyone doubted.

 We all joined together to sit at the surf's edge and take in the beautiful fresh sea air, balmy breeze and cool tide. Of course, this activity does seem to leave a lot of sand in the swim suit...oh boy!






Susan, Ken & I made our way out to the bigger waves. The gulf water was warm and inviting. We sure had our share of fun.

Susan was working the camera for this shot, while Ken held me up...we had a good laugh seeing how long his arms would last! Apparently she was trying to locate the zoom and found it just as we decided to give up...she got this picture just in time.

 Mom reminded us of how much fun she had "shelling", which means looking for sea shells. Susan and I ventured off toward the next peer to find some special treasures. My plan is to use the small ones in the photo album....well, that's the plan for now.

 Doesn't mom look like a real cutie in her new suit? She made an excellent choice...all done through an order catalog too...now that is a good shopper! Susan's hat was the perfect choice...the wire rim folded and stayed however you turned it up and down...which kept it in place, in and out of the waves!
We ventured out to this souvenir shop one afternoon. T-Shirts, hats, and all sorts of surf & beach items that look better in the store than on your shelf at home! We took time to sit on their deck and enjoy a cool soda while watching the waves.

This was so refreshing! Sitting in the shade, above the waves and sipping a cool coke...lemonade, whatever! Mom and Dad sure liked it! We  made an important discovery while up on deck...that under the deck was a perfect place to enjoy the beach in the shade! Another great location for us next year too!

  This was a great location! What a beautiful view!

Family is soooo important. Mom's brother, Lloyd was able to drive down to meet us. Pauline, one of 5 children came along. We caught up on family happenings and enjoyed just seeing each other again after a long time. Mom's heart sure felt full after seeing her brother! And ours too.

Now, at the end of the day we have to show off the newest members to the family...Venua and Merced! Are they puppy's or house-slippers?

Unbelievable! Who would have imagined to put a gator exhibit in Colorado...where it snows! But here is proof. What a crazy-fun place. Our summer trip started with a visit to Colorado Gators. The place is out in the middle of...well it was a long drive! But worth it. We each overcame our fear of touching this gator for a picture. Stand very still!

Now, here is a prime specimen of a fearsome creature. Along with famous gators like the one from Happy Gilmore, we saw ostrich's, iguana's, bunny's, ducks and fish...and who knows what else. Even a snake passed our path, and a tortoise joined us as we scampered the grounds.

By the end of the day we had seen gator eggs, touched & fed gators, and chased a snake. I can verify...kids think this is thrilling! Grandma was a hit for finding this far out place.

Summer...there's nothing like fun with family at a water park. WOW! We headed off to Denver's Elitch Gardens after a hardy breakfast on a  warm sunny morning in July. Dad Greg, Sequoia and Hannah were experienced with water parks, But Zak, Ken & I were in for a first time thrill.

We settled into our cabana, secured 6 rafts and headed out for adventure. The 3 "speed" slides were our first choice. Why not! Oh boy, speed was just part of the experience. The heart pounds really hard as we neared the launch pad at the height of the steps. There is a point of no return...but we found out the thrills far out weighed the fears.

Soon we were well on our way to explore every ride. And between the 6 of us, we hit everyone several times. From scary to lazy river runs we did them all. This was a trip we'll remember for years, and want to duplicate time and again.

Spring is on the way, and summer close behind! Many of my childhood summer vacations were spent at the beach. Just thinking about summer brings back memories of salt air breezes, rolling waves, searching for sea shells and tending our sunburns. And, sand castles we made only to watch them melt away under the sea foam.

Capture your "Summer Destination" as a theme for a card to a dear friend.  I found this Sand Castle stamp on sale at a craft store...don't you love sales!  Brown paper & brads compliment the little brown stripes running through the blue accent paper on the edge.



Pick a favorite message to stamp on the inside of the card. Mine was placed at the right bottom inside flap. Next, design a tag for the front using a word from the same message. Make the first letter for the tag from the same accent paper, or a matching color. This adds a trendy look... nice touch!

Accessories: Stamps from Jo Ann's crafts, brown & cream card stock, Colorbok patterned paper & stickers, brads, SeraTera ink pad from K&Company