June '13

June - summer! Love me some summer, and this summer didn't disappoint.  I think the kids and I were all feeling a freer with just where we are as a family.  My kids are at fun ages to go or stay, and we all just ate up every minute of it.  Miss you already!


We started off the weekend after Memorial Day by going to Galveston with the Junods and Smiths.  Right after we caravaned down with the Smiths I got the kids in the golf cart to check on the peacocks nearby.  Were we in for a surprise!  There were 6 that literally came right up to us.  I had Roxy in the golf cart and was trying to hold her and take pix at the same time.  Up close they are even prettier than I thought.  I kept telling the kids of how creative the Lord was in His creation!

I think they thought we had food or something.  Never been this close before.

When the Junods arrived we went to have dinner on the beach and let the kids play.

 Pretty in pink.  Our two lone ladies.

 Love that Barrett and Levi have each other.

 The dads were chillin' on the other side of the nice seaweed barrier.

I was super pumped about having gluten free fried chicken on the beach that I had made for the occasion.  Super bummed to find out that it was all under cooked.  Yikes~!  We threw it all away, and I was so sad.  But alas, we had a fridge full of food at home.

 Nick started tossing all the boys into the waves.  Great workout!

 Double action

Caryn with Crew & Coyt on their first ever beach trip.  Nothing says beach like seaweed and brown water,  :-)

We pulled this number a lot - two moms and ten kids on a golf cart riding home.

 Needless to say we got lots of honks

 The next day we went to the beach in the morning.  Having a Popsicle break.

 We hung out at the hosue the rest of the evening.  Boys were jumping off the dock

 While others took a quieter form of play

 The dads took the kids on a hot boat ride

 Caryn playing Spot It with the boys.

 Roxy wasn't forgotten either

We ended the weekend at the Spot. And then we split for home.  A great time had by all, and so great all the kids got along so well!  Loved me some girl hang time which I had been lacking as of late.  Thankful to have a place to go and hang.

The next week was cousin camp.  Aaron and Elise had graciously offered to watch the kids for a night while Derek and I had a night away in Houston.  So they came down Friday night, we all hung out Saturday, and then Derek and I went to the Houstonian for the night.

First up, the water slide.  Daniel was so excited he dove in head first.  :-)

 Aaron rejoiced in excitement with him.

Bubble blowers

 I discovered these frozen fruit pops we all liked this summer.  Having a snack break

 Daniel was having such a fun time

 Cousins tumbled down together

 Derek and I left and stayed at the Houstonian.  We started at the pool, and after we people watched we went for a nap and then a massage.  We had already decided to order room service and watch a movie in the room.  So relaxing and nice to just wake up, have breakfast, and come home to have lunch with Shane and crew.

Justin then took everyone for a drive around the neighborhood.  :-)

 Levi sat in the 2 year old seat for the journey.

Quick cousin pic.  Can't wait to add Joshua in October!

 Daniel had lots of help getting in his carseat.

 Sweet smile!

 Even had extra hands to get a drink.  The kids can't get enough of those sweet cheeks!  So thankful for the generosity of time and service that Aaron and Elise dedicated to us that weekend!

Levi getting ready for another buzz cut by mommy.

 Levina also graced our presence

Had some yummy coconut milk chocolate ice cream pops. 

Justin started playing in some Junior PGA tournaments with Derek this summer.  Super casual with a tournament in the Houston area everyday.  The parent caddies and the child plays 5 holes.  They did 4-5 tournies this summer, and Justin medaled at a different place each time.  This is 2nd place at his first tournament.

One of the many fun things we did this summer was go to the Children's Museum and be a part of the super hero theme.  Levi was S for Shannon.  Sweet boy.

 We had a cup of all the things we wanted to do.  We would pull out a piece of paper with an idea and go with it.  So fun, and will continue on our fun Fridays since we don't have school on Fridays.

 Carousel at the mall

The boys went golfing and Lexi and I ran errands and went to dinner.  For about a month I used an app called A Beautiful Mess.  Keep forgetting or finding the time to continue the cuteness. 

 Having my quiet time to have this crew come in to say good morning.

 Playing with Mommy's makeup

 The next weekend after Cousin Camp we went to Waco.  I stayed one night before heading off to Dallas.  We tried to do zumba in Waco and the place was closed.  So we went home and did the video.

Lexi danced and danced.

Washing mommy's car.  Favorite pasttime of mine.  Loved washing my parents cars growing up.

Then I headed up to Dallas to spend a quick two days with some fo my favorite people.  We were celebrating baby Townley's arrival, Wendi's 4th.

Caryn and Shannon thought of the theme and ran with it.  This was baby #23 of the group.

Love me some Caryn decorating

Shannon put this collage of the kids' photo together to make 23.  So cute to see all the photos.

Everyone got their nametag with their babies on them

The honoree

We ate, swam, and just caught up.  Love the time to get together without kids.

The crew, some of which came straight from the land of VBS.

The next afternoon we went shopping, ate some delicious dinner, and headed back to Waco.  Thankful for the parents and dads watching our kids for the weekend, Father's Day and all!  Derek had the weekend to himself and golfed all weekend.  Happy Father's Day indeed.

Random times I actually had a phone on me to capture moments in the summer.  We did fun things all the time, and occasionally had friends with us.  Meeting the Wilsons' bunnies.

At Wonderwild with the Browns and Wyatt

Swim. Swim. Swim.

Grocery store stop with the Wilsons before Sky High opened (which was later than I thought).

A thank you from someone for Roxy.  This furry friend doesn't get many treats anymore to watch the weight, so she was loving it.

Roxy is always taken care of in this household

 Lexi put this whole number together.  Girl has her own sense of style.

 Eating lunch with Daddy at The Corner Table.  My parents had taken the boys to Schlitterbahn in Galveston for two days for their birthday.  They love this annual tradition!  Levi even ran into some of his old foster family.  Small world! 

Hoops Camp basketball camp.  The Baylor basketball camp dates didn't work out, and quite honestly this camp did a better job with the three hours dedicated to basketball.  Loved the smallness as well as all our friends did it.  Will be doing this again next year.


Tough fellas

Getting their dribbles in

Justin had a run in at the camp and had a nice goose egg on his eye for a couple days.

We carpooled with the Bethancourts and arranged some lunch playdates as well.

Levi showing some enthusiasm

I have never seen Levi so into a sport other than skiing.  It was fun to watch his natural athleticism matched with competitiveness.

One day Justin's team played the girls.  Seemed a little unfair and comical but everyone had to take turns.  Just not made the same, ya know?

Levi with John guarding him

They loved it!  And Coach Heidi did a great job of teaching the kids and taking command when needed.

Lily Wilson stopped by and found a cool caterpillar.  We randomly put it in our bug cage to find it crysallized and in a cocoon.  SO fun and sweet of the Lord to allow us to watch.  So the big day came when the butterfly emerged.

We set it free

It even said one last goodbye

During basketball camp Lexi had her first camp ever all week.  Mama was a little sad to see her go, and after a quick set of initial tears and a big hug she loved it.  Playdate with Anna after camp one day.  Lexi went to her house for lunch one day and I realized it was the first time Lexi was at a friend's house without me.  Monumental day!

The big performance on the last Friday.  Maddie and Hanna came to support which was so sweet!  And good thing they brought flowers because this momma, who never did dance, totally didn't.

It was the week before the 4th of July so it was patriotic week

Had to remind me of her hurt finger.

Once the music went on, Lexi was on.  She knew her stuff, watched the instructor and followed her every lead, and stayed on beat.  The girl can dance!

I'm sure she can shimmy her shoulders better than her momma as well.  Wash that man....wink wink

Then it was tap. 

Then a little 'Born in the USA' number.  Rock on, sister.

Jazz hands

With buddy Kendle at the end of a number.  Just the strain of the high, perfect ponytail sent me into sweats. 

With her gifts from the Landis girls

Who came and found us at lunch for a hug.  So sweet!  We love our babysitters!

Me and my dancing queen.  We established that Lexi is blessed with the moves and loves it.  Now just how to funnel that with modesty and honoring the Lord.  Praying for discernment as the girl world continues to hit me by storm.

And to finish the month, one evening I was in the shower close to 10pm when little feet approached.  Which never happens nor is it allowed.  I look out from my peaceful surroundings to see Levi with blood on his hand and a tooth as the prize.  I jumped out rejoicing!  We had been coaxing this tooth out with tears everywhere.  He finally stayed up in bed and pulled it out himself.  Woo hoo!  Our first missing tooth for Levi, June 28th, just months before his 6th birthday.  Bring on the loose teeth!

Things I love right now:

The Digital Age and their new album.  The former members of the David Crowder Band.  Took me a few listen throughs but now am loving it.  Good roadtrip music.


Also love the All Sons and Daughters Season one CD.  Great worship music.

My new favorite cookbook.  Made many recipes in the last two months and all the kids enjoy them!

Reading this:

Watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead as well as Forks over Knives.  Love that you can watch on Amazon Instant Video.  Just can't ignore the statistics.  Very encouraged to continue in eating clean and organic and how the Lord designed our bodies to live.  Started juicing and loving it!

Loving where the Lord has us.  Starting up partial homeschooling with all three kids has been sweet.  Life seems so much calmer as we aren't rushing around everyday.  Not doing sports this fall.  Embracing the quiet.  Feeling such a privilege to attend Trinity Classical School.  Thankful for the Lord's provision.