Alligators and the American Flag

We had a great 4th of July.  Kyle and I took a nice walk before the morning parade down to the Schertz Fair Grounds and checked out the SAWEET BBQ pits for the Rib Cook-off, which sadly you have to sign up for to participate in. And when I say BBQ Pits,  the Texans go all out with these special smokers! We I decided then and there to sign up for the next Rib Cook-off in September.

We met up with Kyle's coworker, Josh, who was participating in the Baked Beans Cook-off. Somehow we also got wrangled in and enjoyed a little taster of like 12 different kinds of baked beans. Good times. We finished up with some BBQ from the fair and then went swimming. Schertz put on a great lil firework show that we were able to enjoy from our balcony.

Now for the Alligators. Friday, after work,  Kyle and I drove down to Houston, where Brandon and Amy live, to see Adam, who also came into town, and the Alligators at Brazos Bend National Park. 

We brought plenty of water bottles and 10 minutes into our little alligator hunt, they were all the temperature of bath water so when we came across the "FREE" snow cone cups and ice cold water, I praised Brazos Bend. It went something like this: "Now that makes it worth $7 to get into the park." Oh the simple joys in life!





Apparently July isn't the most sought after time to go to Brazos but HEY we are all from Utah so we just thought "What the heck? Let's do it anyway!" We later learned that July really isn't the best time because the Alligators like to stay cool and they hide away in the water and far away from the trails. Luckily we had Kyle's amazing EAGLE EYES.... He spotted 3!

 The alligator above was just the first one we saw and we were all so excited!! We saw it eat a bug and swim around. Mesmerizing I tell ya!

 This is the "Observation Tower" A rickety wood staircase that you can look off of and see the alligators lakes. This is where Kyle spotted the 2nd alligator. Apparently it was a larger alligator but it was so far away in the lake so we couldn't really see it. Unless you had Kyle's EAGLE EYES.

 But for the 3rd and last lil guy, well he was wide out in the open. And photo ready! Later we learned from some native Texans that early spring is the best time to go because there are about 20 or more so alligators out and about. And I thought we were so cool for seeing 3... Ha!

Not gonna lie, I seriously thought the Alligator might jump up and bite my finger while I was smiling for the camera. Good thing that didn't actually happen!

 Kyle is such a great uncle! He  thought it would be funny to put Kennedy up in the tree and she did it for him but she really wasn't too happy about it so I had to hurry and capture the pic before she started crying. She is so adorable!