Spike from the Round Rock Express

The Express mascot was at the library for a baseball-themed story time today:

Owen's outfit is pretty awesome, am I right? Today he was a pilot... With cowboy boots and a batman hat. (Some days I just don't have the energy to deal with a meltdown, so we just roll with it.)

William was really into it.

Round Rock Express Game

We went to a Minor League Baseball game tonight. Of course, we spent more time in the bathroom then we did actually watching the game.

Notice the girls rolling down the hill in the background. And notice the water all down the front of Owen's shirt. (The drinking fountains were a favorite destination since Mom was too cheap to pay for concessions and the temps were in the 90s.)

Sick?

This kid had a 102 fever on Sunday, and then for the last two days he's been a terrible sleeper. After keeping me up for a lot of the night last night, he finally conked out at the breakfast table:

I took him to the doctor this morning--because I was sure he must have an ear infection--but it turns out there's nothing apparently wrong with him. So he's not sick, just spoiled. :s

Pioneer Farms

Six months ago I bought a Groupon to check this place out. I should have used it in the spring, because it was uncomfortably hot today... But still really great. We'll have to go back again in the fall so that we can explore some more.

Longhorns!

The 19th-century cabin in the background was built by German immigrants to Austin, the Krugers. They lived there with their 13 kids. (It's one room with a loft.)

This oak tree is 500+ years old and has a line down the middle from when it was hit by lightning. (Nor and Al know how much I love old trees, lol.)

This was a middle-class home built a few years later by a family who had been in the area for a few decades. It's built "dog trot" style with a breezeway between the two parts of the house.

Mystery Solved

Owen calls these his "mystery" (translation: detective) clothes. He has to wear long pants, long sleeves, hat, and tie. This morning I insisted that he change into shorts and a t-shirt since we were going out and it's really hot, and he had a full-blown meltdown.

SunSplash

With Uncle Zach, Zach's friend, Uncle Steven, and Cousin Iesha

With Grandma Miller

Out to Eat

Matta's with Grandma and Grandpa

Girls' Night Out at Slickables

Dinner and gelato in Scottsdale with Elina

Eastmark Great Park Splash Pad

Lizzie is laughing here because William got sprayed in the face unexpectedly.

(Kristi and her kids joined us. Only Owen didn't want to join in; he's not a fan of splash pads.)

Superstition Springs Mall

We escaped the heat one morning with Kristi and Rachel at the mall. They had a "kids club" program and a kids play area.

Owen and Ruby really hit it off. Owen calls Ruby "my brother."

Heidi really enjoyed the show and wanted to get her picture taken with the performer afterward. (Liz thought she was too old. Owen just wanted to spin the propeller on her hat and actually knocked it off her head.)

Cousins

William and Brent

William and Bruce

Lizzie, Heidi, Lindsay, and Anna

Owen and Ruby. Thick as thieves... And almost as much trouble.

Mesa Riverview (and ASU Stadium)

It was a fun surprise to find Aunt Rachel, Uncle Cody, and Bruce there too. 

William and Bruce

We were in the area so we drove past ASU and snapped a quick picture. (But I couldn't remember the "fork 'em" hand sign. #sundevilfail)