Garden update

Our garden has been growing pretty well until the last couple of weeks.  I go out every day to check on it and pick any vegetables that are ripe.  We got a sprinkler system installed a month ago (hurray!), so I don't have to water the garden any more, but I still go out to look at it and see how the plants are doing.  We've been picking a few cherry tomatoes and green beans each day.  The squash and zucchini plants are dying now and I don't know why!  We did get one squash and one zucchini a couple of days ago.  Also, our pepper plants haven't done well, but we do have one jalapeno and one sweet banana pepper growing.  I just keep telling myself that this is our first garden in Texas and it's a learning experience.  Anything after this should be better, right?!  Here are pictures of the garden that I took a few weeks ago. 

The lavendar I planted in a pot is doing well.  It smells so good!

How is your garden doing?  Any tips for my zucchini and squash?

Fun at SeaWorld

We went to SeaWorld in San Antonio a few weeks ago with the Kosters and ShayNiel.  We also met up with their cousin, Lauryn, and her family.  Jacob and I hadn't been to SeaWorld since our honeymoon in San Diego over nine years ago.  It was Katie's first time at an amusement park and I think things went really well.  It was an adjustment for us though, since we are used to mostly riding the rides and seeing a couple of shows.  This time I didn't ride any rides and Jacob only rode one.  SeaWorld is mostly about the animal shows, so there weren't very many roller coasters anyway.  When we first arrived at the park, after paying an arm and a leg for parking and admission, there was a little drizzle of rain.  While it stayed cloudy and overcast for most of the day, it never rained more than a light sprinkle, and we all loved the cool, breezy weather. 

 I know it doesn't look like it, but Katie really did have a good time. :)    

 Kaden, Rachel, Tylee, Todd, and Teagan

 We watched a 3D movie with the kids.  Katie liked playing with the glasses, but she got scared when the water squirted us during the movie. 

 Cute boys:  Kaden and Teagan

 ShayNiel and Rachel

 I took Katie on her very first amusement park ride: the carousel!  She seemed excited at first to be on the horse.

Then she was surprised when it started moving!

 She fussed a little bit during the ride, but never cried like some of the other kids.  I think she would have liked it better if she wasn't so tired since it was close to naptime.

 Finally worn out from all the fun.

 Jacob, Lauryn, Tylee, Todd, and Rachel enjoying the killer whale show.

 These whales put on a great show, but our favorite was Azul with beluga whales, dolphins, and tropical birds.  Not that the animals were our favorite part, although they were fun to watch.  We loved seeing the acrobatic divers the most.  I only took video of that show. 

Jacob and I left at dinnertime since we had to drive home and Katie was tired.  I wish we lived closer, but we had a fun time and are excited to go back later this year. 

Visit from ShayNiel

Jacob's youngest sister, ShayNiel, came to visit at the beginning of April since she had a break before school started again at BYU-I.  She stayed with the Kosters, but we still saw her a lot while she was here.  ShayNiel is so much fun to be around, and we had a great time talking, eating out and shopping.  

Eating at Texas Roadhouse

Rachel did an egg hunt for her kids the day after Easter and let Katie find a few.

Katie enjoyed munching on a few jelly beans.

I think this is a cute picture of our nephew Kaden.  (He and his brother love white chocolate.)

Kaden and ShayNiel

Katie loves flowers (well, she loves to pick them) :)

This was Katie's first time at some of the fountains in town.  She was a little tentative at first, but then got right in and enjoyed the water.

Katie loved the water and didn't want to leave when I pulled her away to get changed into dry clothes.  Luckily, we got ice cream afterward, so that made up for it. :)  Also, thanks to ShayNiel for several of these pictures!  It's nice to have another person in the family taking photos!