Junods stay with us

The last week in June we had the privilege of housing Wendi and her kids.  Justin was in hog heaven.  As was I.  And so was Derek - we both love having a house full of kids, especially rambunctious boys.

Look what ole Doha conjured up - a Shani drink.  Justin and I tried it and it was like a grape/strawberry carbonated explosion.  He wasn't a fan but I kept the can.  How could I not???

The first morning we all ran out the door for the Junod kiddos to have their photos taken by Chubbyfoot.  I haven't seen her in years, not since we had photos in 2007.  That's what got me started in all the photography love.  And now she is moving to Belgium.  What???  Can't you wait until I need you to photograph our new adoptees?  :-)

The boys were playing on the train tracks at Hermann Park as we waited.

We celebrated the beautiful smiles with donuts.  Yes, first time Justin ever knew there were sprinkles included on these smelly things.  Donuts have never been my thing. 

We went to cool off at Discovery Green.

Picnic in the shade.

That night we were off to a Rangers vs. the Astros game!  Derek hooked us up with some tickets from work and we were on our way, all loaded up with game gear.

We got great parking on a week night, plus the Astros aren't having the best season.

Go team.  It was hard to decide who to cheer for, with liking the Astros but Justin's t-ball team was the Rangers.  Tricky.

We made it to the play area.

And ran some races.

And got our snacks.

Justin asked so many questions while we were there.  I told Derek he had to take him back as he was loving all of it.  Gave me an little insight to truly the love of baseball for some boys, husband included.

Derek took over for bedtime duties.  All three slept together each night.  Like I said, Justin was in hog heaven.

The next day brought Jenise and her boys in from Victoria.  We met Tracy and her kids at a neighborhood pool that we basically owned for the afternoon.

Lots of fun times.

I can't remember how many games of Marco Polo we played.  I love being a kid in summer.

That night Wendi, Jenise, & I left 5 boys and little Georgia with two sitters at my house to go to Ruggles Green for a ladies' night.  Derek spent the night at Shane's and everyone was happy.

This was the 4th of these desserts that we ordered.  Yes, the 4th.  And I wonder why my summer eating has changed my fall figure.

Jennie, myself, Jackie, and Jenise

Wendi, Katie, & Tracy

I went to biblestudy the next morning and left Jenise and Wendi with the boys to fend for themselves. 

The older the boys get, the more I love friendships like these.   I loved cramming in all three of our families into our three bedroom house.  I loved watching the boys play.  I loved catching up with two of my oldest and dearest Houston friends.  I don't take it for granted.  It only gets better every year.  I miss these families...move back!!!

After naps, we went to the Afton Village pool and ate fish tacos.  Holla!

I think of the Goonies when I see photos like this.  "Hey you guys...."

Can't write it in words what little Georgia did to my heart that week.  Carrying around that little weighs nothin' body who would reach up to me.  It's good for my soul.  Moments like those make me know my mothering is nowhere near being finished.

That smile!

Brooks the daredevil.

Taking a ride around the block in the mini.

We made sock puppets and the boys tried to put on a play.  Love me some of Barrett's little voice in this video.

In this season of realizing the Lord's grace, I don't deserve any of the friends the Lord has placed in my path.  I know so many people I come in contact with that just want one person to call friend.  My cup runneth over with friendships.  I hold fast to these dear women in my life.


Until December....

VBS and Cars 2

Right after Starburst we came back home to chill.  Then on Father's Day I finally got Derek's diploma framed.  It had only been a decade.  And we got him a matching hat with Justin.  Go Owls.

The week after that I helped with VBS at our church with 5 other buddies from Logos and 35 kindergardners.   So fun, so exhausting.  Justin loved it.  We would come back to our room for the kids to eat lunch and run around.  Here's a video of them singing to one of the songs they learned in music.  Get down.

Then the last day of VBS was the day Cars 2 was released.  Not a lot of hype in my parts about it but we had been counting down for months.   The entire movie theater was ready for Smurfs with not one stand-up of Cars 2.

I can see why.  I still give it a thumbs down.  Disappointing as to the age range the show was catering to.  Not entertaining at all.  Justin loved the racing, but there wasn't much of it.  I didn't recommend anyone go see it.  Big disappointment for Pixar.  But a fun family evening as Derek had never been to the movies with Justin. 

We still need to go see Winnie the Pooh.  There are so few movies we can see these days.

Starburst 2011

Starburst Junior Golf Tournament.  The last one as the honorary photographer.  I have the family photos I wanted to share from the event.

First up, Sunday and the fluorescent shirts we all wore.  Makes you look tan.
Especially when Shane pairs it with matching shoes.

Uncle Shane and the marshmallow nephew

Can't enough of those sweet cheeks.  I kept pushing Aunt Deidra out of the way saying she gets to see him all the time.  All in good fun.

Dad with an interview, in the sun, without his glasses on. Squinty.

Monday brought Derek and Justin to play the par 3 at Cottonwood at lunchtime with Shane.  Derek stayed in town for all the events this year since it was my dad's last time to be head honcho.

Lefties unite.

Mom, stop taking photos.

Mean green fighting machine.

Papa Snuf and dimpled fellas.

Everyone has to be sporting some type of Starburst attire.

Family fun on Tuesday.

Getting ready for the ball drop.

Derek ran into an old high school basketball league teammate.  Kevin used to take Derek to his home, one of the few non-white players to include Derek in such friendship.  Now Kevin works for a home in Waco that helps troubled kids.  One of the many ways the Lord has prepared us for adoption ahead of us.

The helicopter arrives.

Justin helping clean up the loose balls before the 'copter goes back up for a final drop.

Even the man in charge does the grunt work.

The winning ball.

When I wasn't running around taking photos of the golfers, we were relaxing in Grandma's pool.

Even Ryan showed us some tricks.

Goggle mania.

Daniel came to try out the swimming pool for the first time ever.

Don't think Bumbo's are meant for 4 year olds.

Cousin love

Bumbos do float

On Wednesday, before we headed out we went to try out the Hewitt Burger King with some lifelong friends and their kids.  Who knew such a great play area, totally quiet and to ourselves, was right on Hewitt Drive.  Didn't have a clue what to order as I never really frequent this establishment.  I will be back for playdates for sure.

Wyatt, Charlie, Stacey, and Justin doing a boy pyramid.  Or dog pile.  take your pick.

All the Steen, Smith, Svoboda, and Michaelis kiddos.

Plus these two, of course.  Which now reside in Waco with the rest of them.  makes for a fun quick stop shop when we come into town.

We stopped by to see this sweet boy before we headed home.

Such a fun week of seeing family, friends, and taking lots of photos.  Cheers to Starburst!