June & July

 July is nearly over...WHAT...didn’t June just start.  Our summer has been relaxing, busy, slow, fast, and wonderful!  We’ve had so much rain which is such an amazing blessing.  The crop, grass and even the weeds are growing like crazy.  We couldn’t be more thankful for all the moisture.  We’ve had quite a few adventures this summer and they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

Ryan’s decided that he likes mowing the grass and especially when he gets paid for it!  He’s such a hard working 9 year old.  I pray he never loses this trait.  We want all of our kids to understand that anything worth having is worth taking care of and it always takes HARD work to get there.

We went to a Midland Rockhounds game with our church.  We had the best evening watching baseball and growing closer to our new church family.

Us girls, just waiting for the boys to finish their lessons.  Ryan and Myles play the guitar and banjo.  I love hearing them play and watching them learn to play their instruments.

We went swimming at Mandy’s pool.  We ordered pizza and spent the entire afternoon relaxing and swimming.  The kids love going and I love the company!

Cleaning out their pool so Daddy can fill it up with water.

Day camp

We spent a week at White River Youth Camp for day camp in June.  Myles and Sydney were SO excited to go.  Myles has been before and told Sydney everything to expect.  Sydney was so excited that it was finally her turn to be a WRYC camper!  They both had a wonderful week and were not ready to go home on Friday.  Kambry and I also had a great week teaching pre-k and kindergarten.  WE LOVE WRYC and always look forward to our two weeks spent their during the summer.

Syd just playing with her babies.  I remember a time when I had my arms this full of babies.  Time is such a theif!

Bubble bath boy!

These are a few of Sydney’s favorite things: her blanket animal (Ellie the elephant), chili, Jesus and of course “real life” elephants.

Ryan didn’t camp for day camp and instead helped around camp.  Once again, proud of his hard work and willingness to serve!

One of our favorite pastimes is working on puzzles.  We always have one going on the coffee table in the living room.  Ryan finished this puzzle that included 100 different species of sharks.

Just getting a tan like her big sister.

We got really good news at the eye doctor last month.  Sydney has been wearing glasses since she was two to correct a condition called Esotropia.  The condition is HEALED and she has been cleared to only wear her glasses during school.  If anyone is looking for an eye doctor for little ones or just yourself, please do yourself a favor and see Dr. Nolan Riley.  He has truly been an answer to prayers for our family.  Sydney will continue to see him once a year.  She was excited to not have to wear her glasses when she’s “hot and sweaty and they don’t stay on her nose right.”

Myles got to lead a prayer during day camp.  Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing my children serve our Father in Heaven.  It always makes me cry, even the simplest little prayer.  I pray they never forget how important it is.

Ayden is too OLD to be a day camper.  She’s been too old for several years but for some reason it still gets me.  She helped around camp with snacks, cleaning and babysitting.  She’s such a big girl, but will always be my baby.

Myles had to go back to the dentist to get a tooth filled.  This poor guy...has troubles with his little teeth.  His teeth are beautiful and straight so Dr. Epperson said it’s only fair he’s got a few cavities.  His little face made me laugh and tear up at the same time.  He was just sitting there contemplating what was about to happen.  He did great and didn’t shed ONE single tear.  He was so brave and I was so proud of him!

We went to see Doug and Brittney this month.  We went to the Smoky Bear Museum and two rodeos while we were there.  We always have such a wonderful time with them.  Their home and place are beautiful and I couldn’t be happier for the life they get to live in retirement!

BB taught Ryan and Myles how to play the dulcimer while we were there.  Ryan picked it up so fast!  By the time we left he could play three songs.

One night last month our family took our little bitty fishing boat out on the lake.  It always cracks me up, our family of six on our fishing boat.  We manage and always end up laughing or fighting, but it makes for some fun memories none the less.  The kids swam, jumped off the rocks, we had a picnic supper and then fished until nearly 11:00.  Those are my favorite nights!

Sydney sleeping with Ayden because of a thunderstorm.  Ayden is the BEST big sister.

The biggest news of the summer...Sydney lost her FIRST tooth!  She is officially a big kid!  I may or may not have cried because of this loss.  She is not going to look like a baby when that big tooth comes in.

Fairy and troll hunting with Doug and BB.  This was the cutest little park in Ruidoso for kids.  The kids had a ball looking for trolls and fairies and reading about them along the way.

Jumping off the rocks at Lake Alan Henry.  Sydney did it this summer with both of her big brothers by her side!

Ayden looking like a teenager at the Mescalero-Apache Rodeo.  Several of the Native Americans from the reservation kept staring at her.  I told Ayden they weren’t use to seeing such a blonde hair, blue eyed girl!

We also drove to Pablo Duro Canyon to see the play TEXAS.  I love it and am so glad that my kids got to see it this summer.  That play will never get old!

My handsome little cowboy.

Myles was reading to me and he got to this story.

Myles: MOM, you’re gonna love this story.

Me: Why is that Myles?

Myles: Because it’s called Cleaning!

Snails anyone?!

Well, you look comfy Myles!

Myles learned quickly too!  I could listen to the dulcimer all day.

Ryan and Ayden are on their 4-H Shotgun team.  This is their first year to shoot and they both fell in love with the sport.  Tye and I fell in love too.  Not only are the people one in a million, but the bigger kids spent time cheering on my kids.  There is NOTHING better than a older kid taking time to teach and encourage a younger one.  The weekend in San Angelo did my heart so good.  There is still so much good and so many amazing people in this world.  I am so proud of their hard work and great attitudes.  We can’t wait until next year!

Fourth of July!  Let FREEDOM RING!

Rusty loves Tye and wanted to sleep right on his head.  Tye didn’t move him so he can NOT tell me he doesn’t love Rusty too.  I’ve got proof!

Just a little “bay fishing” in the dining room.  Amazon boxes can provide hours of entertainment.

Once again, proof of love.

We got to go to Gail’s Crossing with B, Shell, Mim and Grandaddy.  It is always so much fun and always the BEST hot dogs cooked on the open fire.  We love these memories and look forward to going every year.

Night rides are always full of adventure!

Kam Kam and Ryan two steppin’ in the backyard.  Summer nights are meant for dancing in the back yard.

I rode the tube with the girls at Possum Kingdom.  I haven’t been on a tube in over two years.  It’s crazy to think that this time last year I had just had back surgery.  I’m thankful every single day for a pain free life.  I will never take that for granted again.

We spent another week at White River Youth Camp.  5th session is also so much fun.  Tye, Kam and I teach 6th and 7th grade during this week.  This was Ryan’s first year to be a night camper.  He had a wonderful week and is excited to go back next year. 

Kam Kam and all her nieces and nephews.

While we were at Possum Kingdom, Tye and Ryan went fishing every single morning.  They caught a few fish but more importantly spent time together.  That is always the best gift..time!

Sydney and I joined B and Shell in the kitchen one afternoon of camp.  It was Kam’s birthday and Thressa (the sweetest lady ever) helped us make cupcakes for Kam.  Sydney was in Heaven and says that she wants to do it again next year.  Thressa may have an assistant after all!

HEY!  That’s bigger than Daddy’s fish!

We love WRYC this much!!!!

Taking after her Daddy and licking everything, the bowl, the beaters, the counter...

Ayden camped for night camp again this year too.  This was her third year and she was a PRO!  She also had a wonderful week and is already ready for next year!

B, Ryan and Myles going CRAZY on the tube!  The boys loved riding with B.  When he flew off the back they made sure to say “ARE YOU OKAY GRANDPA?”  I still can’t believe that Brent gets out there with them like that.  He is still such a kid at heart!

Ryan did the lesson in chapel when it was his tents turn to lead.  He wrote his own lesson and presented it well.  Of course, Tye and I cried while listening to him.  We were both just so, so proud.

Tye doing the lesson for lakeside devo on Monday morning.  The boys have such a wonderful leader to look up too.  Tye did a great job too!

This guy was a trooper at camp.  He ran around, played, swam, went to arts and craft and the Tradin’ post all day.  He loves camp and will be so happy when it’s finally his turn one of these days.

Church ready in her sweet little outfit.

Sydney skied this year!  She didn’t like the idea at first, but when we told her she had to try because she was five and such a big girl she didn’t really fuss too much.  She got up the very first try and LOVED it!  

Syd and Livi just hanging out on a giant unicorn!  I pray they stay as good as friends as their parents!

This summer like so many before has been full of wonderful memories.  Summer is my favorite time of the year because we don’t have a schedule or routine to follow.  We truly just try to enjoy each other and soak in all the little moments that add up to life.  My kids are growing up and I know one day our summers will look very different.  So for now, I’m going to have a happy heart about unicorn floaties, bottom spanking, box building, swimming, attitude adjusting, sun screening, night riding, pep-talk encouraging, bubble baths, hands are for hugging and helping, late night movies, bandaid puttin’, backyard dancin’, growing bodies and souls, and cereal for supper!