SeaWorld Summer: Trip 2

We headed back to San Antonio for our second trip to SeaWorld.  We filled up the church van and Jake's truck, and we got to the park a little after opening (which is big for us!).   The kids were really excited, and I was super excited by the semi empty parking lot that we were met with.  I don't know if it was the Spurs parade happening downtown that day or the fact that it was an overcast Wednesday, but it was the PERFECT day to be at SeaWorld.  All day long, we walked on to rides, showed up at shows minutes before they started and got good seats, and enjoyed the light day at the park.




The girls took a group photo!



Emmy desperately wanted to ride this the last time we were here, but there just wasn't time.  I made sure it was my first priority today.





Group photo...this is a little out of order.



Emmy and I on top of the ride.  It had a killer view.



Not too shabby huh?  You can see the whole Bay of Play.



Next Elmo and company were ready for photos and so were we!



The morning Shamu show was great.







We met up with these yoohoos right before lunch.





Seriously.  You can't take them anywhere.



After our sack lunch, we went to the dolphin cove to pet the dolphins.  We weren't as lucky today.





It was getting HOT, so we decided to change the littles and let them play in the water.










It was a great day, and we can't wait to go back again soon!

Mer & Casey got Married!

My beautiful cousin Meredith got married to her best friend, Casey, at Ramage Farms in Hooks, Texas.  It was a beautiful story book wedding, and if there marriage is a tenth as beautiful, they will live a happy life for sure. 

We took a few photos at the rehearsal dinner the night before.  We were all happy and so excited that all the decorating was finished.









I didn't change my clothes for the rehearsal so I didn't want to be in any of the photos, but I couldn't resists a selfie.




Bet you didn't know there was going to be a sequel to the Harry Potter series did you?  Starring my lovely baby girl. 



Some of the decor at the wedding.

















I didn't take as many photos as I thought I would at the wedding because I was videoing. 





I worked the photo booth during the reception.














My little angel and I.  We really missed her Daddy at the wedding, but we made it through together.





Kari caught the bouquet.  She will probably kill me if she ever sees this.  Oh well.



Congratulations Mer & Casey.  You guys are perfect for each other, and we are so happy that you each found the other half of yourself. :)

Emmy's 3rd Birthday Party {The Party}

We had Emmy's Little Mermaid swim party at our local aquatic center.  It is a nice covered facility, so it was nice to have the little people indoors during the heat of the day. I wouldn't want anyone's party favor to be a lobster roasted toddler. :)

Emmy had a great time playing in the water with her friends and family.  Although it was a busy day at the aquatic center, everyone was really nice and we got to do everything we wanted.  Happy Birthday Emmarie!  I hope you enjoyed your party as much as I did!  Love you to pieces!

The birthday girl!


Emmy's two proud aunts!



Chilling with her BFF Abby!

Emma & Ella got to go swimming for the first time!











Even the adults seemed to be having a good time.

I painted an Ariel scene that I found online, so people could pretend to be a mermaid for the day.  I think it turned out really nicely, and people seemed to enjoy taking their photo.



More of our splashing good time!









Once an hour, they clear the pool for five minutes for safety reasons.  We took advantage of one of those times to sing happy birthday and have some cupcakes.














I really do love this kid!



The birthday girl had to have her picture made with everyone.



A few more people wanted to try out the photo prop.





Once all of the cupcakes had been wolfed down, the kids made a bee-line back into the pool.  I couldn't blame them though because I can remember being a kid during the summer and all you wanted most was to just play in the water all day.

I made Emmy take off her crown, and we found out there were a few more special princesses at the party.















The party favors were summer hats and sunglasses along with some little Ariel favors.  The kids looked so cute posing in their new gear.

Some of the adults wanted to try them on as well!



Everyone just hung out and ate, swam, and visited.  It was such a nice day.



Finally it was time to open a few presents.  I didn't want her to open all of them since there were so many people at the pool, but she opened a few of the out of town people's gifts.





Then pretty soon it was time to start giving out hugs and saying our goodbyes.



After we got everything cleaned up and loaded in the car, we headed over to my parent's house with some of the family to watch Emmy open the rest of her gifts.  SHE LOVED EVERYTHING!










It was such an amazing day, and I am so thankful that Emmy has so many people that care about her.  It makes me smile that she has so many people that cared enough to drive so far to celebrate with her for a few hours.  I am eternally grateful for these small kindnesses, and I hope that I can bring that kind of happiness to someone else's party.  Although let's don't get crazy--I'm really a ray of sunshine. :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Emmarie!