:: rodeo for the kids ::

Our rodeo tickets gave us access to the livestock show and carnival for the kids. We saw plenty of animals and got to have fun on the rides!

Gettin' Texan

They don't walk alike at all.....

Take note of the nicely shaped cowboy hat...

Alden sure knows how to shape a cowboy hat - completely demolished.

:: the rodeo ::

The main reason for heading to Texas was for Seth to entertain clients and meet with his work partners in their suite at the Houston Rodeo. Both nights we were there, the evening started with the rodeo and move right into the concert of the night: Bruno Mars the first night (!!!!!!!) and Tim McGraw the second night.

It was a great experience, but parts of roping cattle and tackling them to the ground had me cringing.....

rodeo clown

Muttin' Bustin': throwing a 5-year old on a sheep to hold on for dear life as the sheep runs until the child falls off. Texans think this is sooooo cute. I think that once a sheep steps on your kid's chest, it's not really that cute. 

And then, what really matters....Bruno!!!

So energetic!

It was definitely the best concert I've ever been to. He is an incredible performer. You know that when 15-year olds, young professionals, middle-age land surveyors, and your in-laws are all dancing, you have something special :)

The second night was Tim McGraw. I'm not a big country fan to begin with, so it was a bit lackluster for me. He did sing Something Like That, so I survived :) There was, by far, less energy in that arena.

He tried really hard. I applaud his effort.

:: to space and beyond ::

We visited NASA in Houston (very cool) and learned all about the space program, the international space station and had a lot fun with all the hands-on activities!

With Grandma and Grandpa

Touching a real moon rock!

Alden heading into a real shuttle. They were more roomy than I thought.

Life inside the shuttle.

A connection between space stations - so cool!

Yes! New diet motivation! My weight and reflection on Mars :)

Seth and his mom taking down some poor child on the snowboarding simulation...haha!

Giant Lego pit - in other words, heaven.

:: arriving in texas ::

We decided to make a business trip for Seth into a family vacation to Texas. It was Alden's first airplane ride - very exciting! We traveled to Houston for three days, and then down to Galveston for a day at the beach. The weather was less than hot, but we achieved plenty of stares wearing shorts in 62 degree weather. :)

Baggage Boys!

Bayou next to our condo rental where you can rent a kayak or canoe - beautiful!

Each morning, the boys got some energy at the playground nearby.