Matthaei Family to the Beach

On their next to last day in Texas (Sunday, July 6th) we decided to head to the beach. The girls (and Aidan) needed to get in some ocean time before heading back to the Colorado mountains. Charlotte sacrificed her just cleaned SUV for the trip down. Aunt Shelly is not fond of the beach but actually enjoyed watching the kids have their fun. We packed up a sandwich & chips picnic lunch and found a spot on the beach to park our SUVs. Seashells & Seabeans were brought home for a trip back to Colorado.

Sophie & Kara (and Bryan under the board) surf the ocean.

Joanna, Kara & Sophie hit the waves - and again, Bryan is wiped out (see blond head @ bottom left of picture.)

Seashells are fun to find. Poor girls were only allowed to bring 10 home to Colorado with them.

The boys are building their own sand castles.

All the kiddos are taking a break from the water and playing in the sand.

Pappy and Joanna had some time to themselves looking for sand crabs then went for a quick dip in the ocean to clean off the sand. While out "crabbing" they found a pretty cool seabean that I am sure will hit the classroom on show-n-tell day in Colorado.

And of course I can't help but add the cutie pie Aidan to the mix of pictures. He is just such a handsome little guy.

Rogers Park can be just as fun as BIG Splash Parks

Saturday, July 5th, Pappy took the grand kids to Rogers Park for a fun time of Splashing. Pappy stood in the center the entire time to make a "pool" of water and the kids loved it. They thought it was pretty cool.

Cutie Pie Aidan had fun too.

Sophie and her tongue catching some splash.

The only boy cousins have their quality time.

July 4th @ Sailing Camp

John & Bryan hit PAYC early on the 4th and got out an Opti for him to hit the water. Bryan got to sail for a little bit but then a bad storm hit and we had to run before he really got some good sailing in. Joanna & Sophie came down with Shelly & Kara hoping to catch a ride with Bryan but we didn't make it in time. The kids did get a quick ride in Mr. Novich's small boat though and were happy with that.

Kara, Joanna & Sophie look like 3 sisters with
matching hair styles. Very cute they were.

Swimming @ Aunt Molly's Pool

Everybody loves the slide. Waiting patiently and taking
turns is sometimes tough but well worth the wait.

Even Reese wants her turn.
She wants to be like the big girls.

Kara goes head first.....

.....and makes a big splash.

Carson, Joanna & Sophie love the

water and the water toys.

Even the "babies" are having fun in the sun.

Aidan and Reese are just too cute and both

had their fair share of "snapshot" moments.

Molly picked up this canoe for the

"babies" and Aidan really loved it.

Mike and Bryan tossing up some fun.

Get out the measuring tape and lets

just see how far Bryan was tossed.

Lunch break for the water logged.

Sun shades over head and over the eyes.

Nana, Ma-Maw, Molly & Kirk enjoy watching

the kids from the side of the pool in the shade.

Refreshing After Hard Day of Feeding the Gators

Carson and Joanna share a smoothie.

Hannah & Sophie sharing a smoothie

Robyn, "Nana" and Jenny taking a break after

keeping up with all the kiddos.

Bryan & Mike cooling off with their own drinks.

Gator Country's new playground was fun.

But of course the "adults" made us stop

and pose for a snapshot.

Gator Country

Joanna, Hannah, Carson, Bryan and Sophie are ready to feed
hot dogs to the very hungry gators down below the pier.

Hungry Hungry Gators

This gator is going for a hot dog on a string.

Those gaters below surely have full belly's with

a great lunch from this many people.

Are we sure this fence is safe???

The kids like this Gator because they can "hug" it.

Adventure Kingdom with Robyn & the Kids

THE BOYS

First Born & Last Born

(with 5 girls in between)

Bryan & Aidan
9 years vs. 14 months.

Paddeling with the Swans.

The girls (Carson, Sophie, Kara & Hannah)

gang up on Bryan and keep him "trapped".

Bryan makes a mad dash to get away.

Too many girl coodies.

Putt Putt Putting Away

Bryan 9 years 10 months

Joanna 9 years 5 months

Carson 8 years 11 months

Sophie 7 years 7 months


Kara 6 years 2 months

Hannah 5 years 1 month

Nana is happy to pose with her older

grandkids & Hannah who joined us for

a fun outing at Adventure Kingdom.

Aidan is just strollin' in his ride.

To little this year to play a round.