The Houston kids turn 3!

Richard and I flew to Houston TOGETHER!  We never do that!  But Jen and James gave us money for plane tickets for Christmas, so we did.  I have this goal to be to each of my grandkid's 3rd birthday.  My theory is that its the first one they remember.  Its the first one I was there for for Sophie, we had Tessa's party at my house last December and this month Dean and Sydney both turn 3! We rented a car for the first time while we stayed there.  James offered his truck, but its so complicated with kid's car seats and all that we decided to rent.  It worked out great.  The only down side is that I don't get to talk to my kids while we drive.  We went straight to Jenny's house from the airport and Nicole and her kids were there waiting, too!

Nicole put these cute pigtails in Jane's hair.  It kind of makes her look like a Disney character, doesn't it? 

Grandpa helping Logan play with blocks.

Jane loves little Logan.

Grandpa reading to Sydney, Dean and Jane.

I know its fuzzy, but such cute smiles I had to share it anyway! Jenny made us delicious tacos.  She even made us fresh pico de gallo.  I loved it!

Post dinner relaxation!

We spent the first 2 nights at Jason and Nicole's.  Sydney is so entertaining and Logan is so mellow and sweet!  We loved it. 

Friday Nicole and I took Sydney shopping for her present a the Disney outlet.

James took the day off (he's cool that way) and Jason got off early.  We all got to their house at about the same time and had a delicious crockpot chicken recipe fixed for lunch. We all headed to the Oil Ranch.  It kind of like The Wheeler Farm on steroids.

Sydney had been here before and loved the pony rides.  This time neither Dean or her would get on a horse. They did really enjoyed the petting farm.  Grandpa is showing them how to heard sheep.

Jane likes everything when her mom holds her.

These ponies were the right rides for them.

They had this cute farm bounce house that Jane and Syd loved.  Dean wouldn't go inside.  He has a thing about tunnels.

Everyone loved the train ride.

Especially Dean.

Jason and Logan.

Jason took this shot from the back for me.

James is such a good dad.  He came over and squatted my Dean to check out the train wheels and track with him.

We missed the time for the last hay wagon ride of the day, but the nice guy that works there offered to take us on one. It was fun and so scary!  They gave us food for the cows and they came running when we stopped and stuck their heads through the sides just about into your lap to get the food.  Here's Grandpa Richard scaring Logan to death.  He did get Sydney and Dean to pet the small one that came over later.

On our way out taking this photo op! We went to Golden Corral for dinner that night and

it was a great hit with everyone! 

Here's Dean checking out the tractor tire.

Everyone enjoying the hay wagon ride.

I made Dean's gluten free birthday cake Friday night.  This is Sydney "helping" me make her ice cream cake Saturday morning.

The balloons were loved by all, well except that they give Nicole anxiety.  She was okay cause

 I didn't blow them all the way up.

Here's Jane happy because Sydey let her play with Violet.

Some of the kids would wear party hats.

Jane liked to drop her's on the floor and have me retrieve it over and over. 

James showing Dean alternitive wearing styles.

Nicole tried to get Dean to try it.

He smiled as he ran away.

Syd did not like the hats. Dean loves to blow out the candles.  He did it several times.

Surprisingly Sydney wouldn't blow.  Nicole had to help her.

Dean excited with the little car we found at the Disney outlet.

Sydney patiently waiting to get her "Punzel" doll out of the wrappings. She also chose a "Punzel" shirt and a "Punzel" nightgown. BTW the stuff at the outlet is way cheaper than it was at the City Creek Disney store.

We got Dean this cool Gears set from the Fat Brain store online.  I was worried that it would be frustrating, but it was very simple and easy to use, but versitile and can be put together in complicated ways.

Here's Syd dancing her doll.

Everyone helping with the gears.

Tired parents napping after the party.

Richard is always happiest when the kids have a project for him to work on.  Nicole wanted to put a lower shelf over her washer and dryer and put cabinets over it.

Almost done.

Logan and his "I hate rice cereal" look.

All the girls love it when Logan is nearly naked.

James putting the handles on the cabinets.

We went to James and Jenny's Friday after partying. Here's one of the cool things Dean put together.

Sunday morning we decided that Jane was coughing too much to go to the nursery, so I stayed home with her and Dean, who was coughing a little.

After church Jason and Nicole brought their kids over for the delicious dinner Jenny fixed; Barbeque crockpot chicken, spinach salad and sweet potatoe fries. Who needs trampolines when Grandma and Grandpa's bed is on the floor?

Logan and Grandpa.

Jenny's scared children glued to her while James feeds a cow.

 

Three generations of Quincy men.

Grandpa trying to get Dean to sit in the tractor.

Jane, eater of books.

 Here's some pictures Richard took at the ranch with a random camera he found in our basement.  Anyway, they are much better than the ones I took there.  Anyone missing a camera?