Hornucopia 2011 - Independence Day Swimming Party

Thanks to Julie(Jeff's sister) and Rob, we were all invited to join Jeff's family at their Annual Independence Day Pool Party on a very hot July afternoon.

There was a tremendous amount of "Jump to Uncle Jeff" throughout the swim period.

Even Danielle got in the act.

Christopher was quite taken with the 'water mound' fountain in the shallow end of the pool.

After the swim, there was a birthday cake to celebrate the upcoming 5-year-old birthdays.

Danielle loves Aunt Julie!

The honorees blew out the candles.

Christopher took it all in - as usual.

And he enjoyed the cake, too.

Thank you Uncle Rob and Aunt Julie for inviting us to your party!

Hornucopia 2011 - The Great Annual Family Photo

Hornucopia 2011 - July 4th

Fourth of July! It's not all boom and fluster - some started the day with quiet reading time.

Danielle and Aunt Julie squirted water.

Naomi and John planted "Chia Names", using Mimi's nifty alphabet cookie cutters. (Unfortunately, dry weather and neglect impacted the harvest rather badly.)

Time for a brotherly hug - sprained neck and all!

There was Wii play...

... a hamburger cookout...

... and more Wii play.

After lunch, we all went to visit Great Grandpa at his rehab hotel.

He seemed glad to see us.

Danielle and Pa shared some goodies.

Hornucopia 2011: More Hanging Out

Christopher got iPhone lessons from Dad.

Then he took over.

The Event of the Day was lunch at Kobe Steak House in McKinney. Here we are anticipating the show (and food).

It was a good show. Frightening for little kids, but fun to watch.

The Finale had the hibachi chef flipping food bits for us to catch in our mouths. Most of us were not very good at it.

The food was yummy.

Later in the evening, some of us had traditional "sink baths" - always a feature at Mimi & Pa's.

Finally, we ended with Video Night. (That's a Shawn the Sheep video on the screen.)

Hornucopia 2011: Hanging Out

While Jessica and Mark acclimatized to our time zone, we spent some time doing low-key things around home - such as playing board games.

Mark and John rode to Prosper for breakfast at Lucy's Cafe.

Naomi, Danielle and Pa harvested our daily crop of pepper from the garden.

Everyone pitched in on fixing dinner.

Jessica taught Naomi her Salad Slinger technique.

 And we began the Wii-Fest.

Hornucopia 2011: It Begins...

... with dinner from Dickey's Barbecue!

Mark and Jessica arrived Tuesday evening, and Jeff, Jenny, Naomi and Danielle brought dinner over on Wednesday. Thanks Jenny & Jeff!!

Naomi loves to play "Angry Birds" on the iPad.

She gets really involved.

"Double your Pleasure, Double your Fun...!"

I Do It!

Danielle and Naomi Spend the Night

Danielle, do you have peanut butter in your mouth??

Naomi is getting very good at writing.

So is Danielle - but it requires intense concentration.

We enjoy doing the sillouette window stick-ons.
Danielle discovered an additional venue.

Wagon rides are always fun, but especially when Mimi drives.

Mini Tripod

Not nearly as nice as a GorillaPod, but only 4 bucks.

New Roof

Mike and Dolores stopped by on their way to Kerrville. It was really great to see them and visit. Jenny and Danielle came over to see them. Dolores brought her family calendar that Michelle made (like the ones Jenny does!) and updated us on all their family.

Danielle showed Mike how to use the magic fairy wand.

Next morning, M&D went by for a visit with Great Grandad (who is Uncle Martin to Dolores).