Last Day of School = First Day of Summer!
To celebrate the last day of school 4/5's of us went to Orange Leaf. 1/5 went to a rockin' b-day party.
Here's G with a good friend from school
L and Kenya at Orange Leaf
S at his friend Robert's b-day party
L and Kenya with their all time favorite teacher Ms. Arguello
(Reading) They hung out here often in the afternoons
Six Flags Adventures
We bought passes to Six Flags this year and had lots of fun with lots of different friends. There were a lot of new rides to ride and this year G was old enough to ride most everything including the Iron Rattler. He's been waiting to get on that thing for years.
Isaac and I spent most of our time at Six Flags wandering around at ride exits and waiting for the big kids. Fortunately this was right up Isaac's alley so he had a great time there this summer.
Isaac's 1st ride!
The Scooby Doo - He loved it!
1st day at the park - with the Zufelts (our six flags buddies for 2016)
Brooklyn, Tristan, Grant, Lillie, Austin, Madison, Samuel, and Isaac
On one of the new rides - Spinsanity
Isaac's 2nd ride - the Ferris Wheel
Cuties at church - and Lindsey and Jessica Slaughter's last Sunday with us :(
Allison Comes to TX!
Allison came to visit from Idaho the 1st week of summer and we were so excited to have her here!
Country bumpkins hanging out in Grandad's new truck
Waco
We visited Waco for the day. Mostly to go to the Silos and Magnolia(from TLC's show Fixer Upper) but we also went to The Homestead and ended up spending most of the day there. It was so much fun!
Magnolia & The Silos
We were hoping to see Chip and Joanna (though we knew we wouldn't)
but no such luck. It was still cool to be there though!
The Homestead
This was a super cool place that Kethy told me about. A Christian faith based group began this homestead in the 1970's. They make, grow, and raise nearly everything that they use. They now have a restaurant, general store, and market on their land and it is open to shop, and tour. We spent hours here and we had such a great time. The food was delicious, the land was beautiful, and it was amazing to go to the different areas and see demonstrations on how they work and live: Woodshop, glass factory, gristmill, iron works, gardening, weaving, pottery, etc. (That's all I can remember!)
Schlitterbahn
One of the days Allison visited I left the kiddos with a sitter and went to Schlitterbahn for the day. It was such a blast! We had a great time visiting with you Allison and we can't wait to see you again!
Grammy and her girls
Allison, Audrey, Mom, Katie, Laura
Random Fun
Right before school ended Lillie chopped her hair off into the cutest style ever! She donated it to Wigs For Kids but it took me a couple of weeks to actually get everything together to mail it:
That's a whole lotta hair!
Isaac trying apples for the first time and totally loving them
Six Flags Bring A Friend Free Day
I left Mr. I. at home for this one so we would have enough room for each big kid to bring one friend
Hannah Conrad, Lillie, Samuel, Grant, Fhynn McCown, Teancum Maxwell
Cute slug the kids found in the backyard. Isaac loved it. A lot. So much he wanted to eat it. Fortunately L protected it :)
Father's Day
Tim went to Alaska again this summer. This time with Grandpa, Uncle Jason, and Uncle Wendell. He got back on Father's Day later in the afternoon. So glad we were still able to be with him!
Daddy's back from Alaska with his fishing haul (40lbs of Halibut and Salmon!)
Best Dad Ever
Also the Best Dad Ever :)
Dad's Father's Day present was a trip to Alaska.
And also a jar of Jelly Belly's
Cub Scout Camp
This was Samuel's last year of Cub Scout camp. He had a great time this year and I was fortunate to be able to go up for one of the days as a leader.
Pool Time
Josh Terry, Josh Conrad and Samuel
BB Shooting
Phynn McCown, Teancum Maxwell, (?), Samuel, (?), Preston Jackson, Josh Conrad
Pool Time
Grant's 1st Job!
Grant was hired several times by Autumn and KC this summer to feed their fish and water the plants. He took his job very seriously and loved the opportunity to make $$$ outside of our home!
More 6 Flags
I love these girls :)
With their favorite snack: dippin' dots floats
Grant's other favorite ride (tied with the Iron Rattler)
Yay! More rides for Sizey!
He loved this school us that went around like a ferris wheel and the little train is his favorite
Swimming
We didn't do a ton of swimming at regular pools this year. We mostly went at six flags. But we did still go and here's proof. Also, Isaac was nervous around the pool for about 2 minutes. Then he totally loved it. It was all I could do to keep him from jumping in without me. When I'd be holding him in the water he spent half the time trying to stick his face under. Crazy water baby!
Lillie testing out her underwater case on Grant
Holy cow I can't believe that this kid is in double digits!!!
Samuel has been with us for a decade now and the time has really flown. I can't think of a cooler kid anywhere and I am SO GLAD that he's our son!
This year we went with an "American Ninja Warrior" party theme. One of Samuel's favorite shows. It was so much fun to put together for him! We had a great day celebrating S as a family and with good friends! We love you Samuel! You are going to rock in 5th grade, Patrols, Weebelos, and at anything else that you do this year!
Samuel's Favorite Breakfast
This kid loves to eat cereal in the morning. I mean loves it. It's sorta devastating for him if we're out of cereal or milk. The stash had been low to non-existent lately (I'd been making them eat my homemade yogurt) so he was totally stoked to wake up to some good eats.
Sweet! A BB gun!
American Ninja Warrior Cake
Watching ANW while eating lunch
ANW Obstacle Course
Weston, G, Diego, Robert, Teancum, Samuel, Josh C, Josh T, Joseph Munoz
Pinata time!
Candy! Candy! Candy!
Shooting BB's with Dad
Samuel with his present from Aunt Becca and Uncle Jason.
He is going to rock the neighborhood Nerf Wars now!
Getting an awesome skateboard from G and G
He practices on that everyday and is getting so good!
Samuel's Favorites at 10:
Food: pizza, strawberries, bacon spaghetti, all fruits and veggies, chewy granola bars, CEREAL CEREAL CEREAL!!! I spend a lot at HEB each month to keep up with his cereal habit - his fav is chocolate cheerios - Restaraunts - Chuy's, Chick Fil A, Taco Cabana, Pei Wei Subway Movies and Shows - Voltron, All Hail King Julien, Troll Hunters, Turbo Fast Friends - Teancum, Robert, Harlan, Diego, William, Matthew Things to do - Six Flags, Swim, Chuck E. Cheese, Video Games, Football (Go Cowboys! - He watches every game possible with his Dad and knows all the rules and most of the facts and back stories about lots of players on all NFL teams), Build things (legos, robots, wood crafts - he's super mechanical), play outside with Grant, William, and Matthew, and Cul de Sac Nerf wars!
Samuel we love you so much and we are so blessed to have you as part of our family. Good luck in 5th Grade....you're gonna rock being at the top of the school!
Dad Turns 35:
Yummy Red Velvet Cheesecake
And presents!
We love you Dad! Thank you for everything that you do for our family: being a righteous priesthood holder, leading us in the gospel, working hard, and always making time to play with us!
Haha! I love these kids!
I got a text from our neighbor Dawn that the kids were being awesome in a West Virginia sort of way and I went out to find this. You guys rock!
Yay! We got to spend a week with our friends Meredith and Erika Roberts!
They came down from Kansas for EFY and they stayed with us for a few days prior to it's start. It was so great to catch up with them!
Here we are at my 2nd favorite holiday of the year! I love getting together with family and friends in Boerne to BBQ, play, and watch the fireworks. I am so grateful to the inspired men and women who fought and still do fight to keep our country free. I am so grateful to raise my family, worship, live, and work in the way that I choose. Happy Birthday USA!
S with good family friend "Little" Andrew Larry
(Here S is 10 and I believe that Andrew is 8 or 9)
This was the first year that Isaac was old enough to be able to run around and enjoy the play
L with old friends Kirsten Watson and Ashley Adame
Oh how we love this crazy Grant of ours!
L with Brooklyne and Tristan Zufelt
Getting ready for the dark with glow sticks
Fireworks time!
He loved them and I loved watching them with him!
More of that AwEsOmE Lazy Summertime Fun:
Isaac and one of his new favorite activities
Holy Krackamoly! I took a weed whacker apart and was actually able to fix it and put it back together again. And miracle of miracles it actually worked!
L made a delicious fruit pizza. Unfortunately we misjudged how much frosting we would need. That's ok, even though the fruit part was amazing the boys were having none of it so they got the plain side.
Sibling read-a-thons make me so happy
Lillie has had her eye on a polaroid for awhile. She saved her money and was admirably patient enough to wait for the right color that she wanted. She got this with a super cute brown leather camera bag and some film for it. I am so proud of her for working hard and saving!
Sizey and his Daddy enjoying some morning cuddles and shows
The awesome indoor tent that Lillie and the boys built. They got this idea from our neighbor KC when she built one for her nieces and nephews. The kids loved this and it probably stayed up for at least a month in our gameroom before everyone was tired of it. (Except for Dad. He was tired of it from the moment he saw it erected ;)
Grammy spent a fun day with us at Six Flags and took Sizey on lots of kid sized rides. She introduced him to the Merry Go Round and he loved it so much! It turned into his new favorite.
Playing peek-a-boo with Grammy's hat
Along with Grammy, William and Lillie's friend Michelle joined us for a fun day at Six Flags
Isaac loves to wear Daddy's shirts lately. He loves his Dad so much and misses him when he's at work....which of course is most of Isaac's waking hours. He has taken to either wearing one of Tim's shirts or dragging one around with him during the day.
Wow. 12. This is a big deal age in our family. This is the birthday that Lillie leaves Primary and joins the Young Women's Program at church. I am so excited for her! Lillie you are an amazing and beautifully talented young woman. All who know you are blessed by your sweet smile and happy and inclusive attitude. You work so hard at all that you do and are so creative. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!
Happy Birthday Breakfast Donut
(A Bullseye from Shipley's)
Presents! This girl scored a pair of Chacos, a personalized duffel bag, & extra film for her Polaroid
Grammy and L with the shirt that Grammy made for her
Hotel Birthday Party!
To celebrate turning 12 Lillie wanted to do something extra special. So we rented a room at the Embassy Suites down on the Riverwalk. She invited her 3 besties Kenya, Ava, and Hayley. (Sadly Kenya could not make it at the last minute) and we were also joined by Grammy and Aunties Laura and Katie. We swam, ate pizza and snacks, of course did cake and presents, and the girls got into some 12 year old shenanigans. It was your basic totally awesome birthday party!
Seeing who can throw and ice cube the farthest down into the river
Ice cream cake. In July. Why oh why do all the ice cream cake lovers have birthdays in the middle of summer? This is cake one of two that I made this summer and I became an expert at transporting them in the heat with coolers and dry ice.
Late night swimming at it's best
Blowing up balloons, writing Happy Birthday messages to L and then
sending them off the balcony to the people below.
Glow stick fun!
In the morning after breakfast we walked around the river for awhile
I love these girls!
Lillie's Favorites at 12:
Food: Everything. As always this girl loves to try new things and has an excellent palate for all things yummy. She has eaten like an adult since toddler-hood. Pei Wei Caramel Chicken, Shang-Hai Broccoli Chicken, Chuy's Big-As-Yo-Face Burritos with beef, cookies and cream ice cream, fried or boiled eggs, Freddy's Frozen Custard, Jimmy John's, Movies and Shows: Psych, Once Upon A Time, Fixer Upper, Worst Cooks in America, Documentaries like: Brain Games or The Beginning of Life, Liv and Maddie, Girl Meets World, Kickin' It, Mighty Med Friends: Kenya Leal, Ava Richards, Hayley Rohr, Alex Clayton, Logan Zimmerman, Hannah Conrad, Haley Blan, Emma Simonsen Things to do: craft, sew, bake, read, watch TV in her room, exercise, take care of/ play with Isaac, shop, put together fun outfits, swim, bike, take pictures and videos, make movies
Lillie we love you so much and are always so proud of you! Good luck in 7th grade!
More Six Flags:
We seriously got our season passes worth this summer! Here we are taking Matthew and Weston for another bring a friend free day. This was their first time at the park so it was a lot of fun to be there with them!
Lillie wasn't too into all the rides as the summer went on. Unfortunately she's taking after me in her old age and they're starting to make her feel nauseated :( Fortunately for Isaac that meant the his BFF was around to play with him on all of the little kid stuff!
Holy Cannoli. I love Lillie and I love YW's camp. And now, after 12 years of waiting, I get to combine two of my very favorite things! If you can't tell, I was super excited for Lillie to go to camp. Even more excited that I got to go with her as a Cabin Mom, and downright ecstatic that she also wanted me to be there! This year the girls camped at Camp Sionito. It started out awesome. It stayed awesome for our ward, unfortunately, on the end of day two a stomach bug began to fly through the camp at amazing rates. I think by the end of camp at least half of the people had gone home sick. Other than that though, it was a total blast!
Getting ready to head out. Our group looks small but our ward had the bulk of our girls going as YCL's this year and they were already up there getting ready to welcome us.
Camp had an Olympics theme this year (fitting as the Summer Olympic opening ceremonies were held during camp!) Here are some of our girls during the Stake opening ceremony march.
Lillie and Brekin at craft time making tshirt headbands
With her 1st Secret Sister gift!
Lillie with a new friend that she made from Stone Oak ward
Pool time with Lillie, Ann Turner, Kennedi Lichlyter, Riley Rudin, and Alyssa Sandoval
At the Sonterra table ready for food! Michelle Terry was our amazing cook this year.
Making shoes for Sole Hope during the service project
Oh how I love you girly!
L with her frame she made at the craft cottage
L part of the object lesson during Stake Fireside. She had to hold up these bags as Sister Turner placed more and more "burdens" (rocks) in them.
And here she is getting some help lifting her heavy load
Nighttime ward sing
1st year cabin girls. Luckily I got to be cabin mom for Lillie's cabin and we had so much fun!
Lto R: Brooke (San Pedro), Julia (Emma's friend from school), Abbie (Encino Park), and Emma A. and Lillie (Sonterra)
Me with Abbie Leckie and Tessa Albrethsen
L with Cassie Terry and Camarie Brunson
Sonterra Girls
Back Row L to R: Tiffany Tilton, Ann Turner, Kennedi Lichlyter, Riley Rudin, Emma Albrethsen, Bree Brunson, Tessa Albrethsen, Sarah Jacobsen
Front Row L to R: Abbie Leckie, Julia, Lillie D., McKay Lichlyter, Katelyn Simonsen, Camarie Brunson, Hannah Tilton, Payton Lichlyter, and Audrey D.
L with Sis. Tilton her YW pres
Water Games
Pool Time
Patti Davis (Burgess) and Audrey Doolittle (Burwell)
20 years later and we're still going to YW camp together!
Snack Shack
So the last night of camp there were so many going home sick that they pretty much canceled the last night of camp and gave wards a chance to go home if needed. For some this was necessary as they had one non-sick leader left and this virus came on quick! I mean literally. We were told that you would feel completely and totally fine and the very next moment you were ralphing your guts out feeling like you could die. They didn't want to get sick and then be stuck up there with no way to pack up or get girls home! Completely understandable. All that was really canceled were the morning time closing ceremonies. For lucky and mostly un-touched wards like ours - we did lose Brekin Lichlyter and her mom Ginger :( we chose to stay. They asked us to group together so we got to spend our last night at camp as a ward and we had a total blast!
And here she is in the traditional post camp coma. I think this means she had a successful year 1!
The first meme I ever made
(For the next week I had Lillie and I sleep with trash cans by our beds. I just KNEW we were going to get sick too. Lucky for us, our turn never came.
Summer Olympics 2016 - Rio de Janeiro:
As always the Olympics are a big deal in our house. It's the only time every two years where the TV is pretty much constantly on and no one has to ask if it's ok. We love it all!
This year even Isaac got in on the sports watching
Diving was one of our favorites this year and spurned a real interest in Lillie who spread it to the boys. They're signed up for diving classes in the Fall ;)
End of Summer Wrap Up:
Samuel with a Zombie Apocalypse nerf gun he saved for
FHE faith potato project
Mr. I loves to wear everybody else's too big shoes around!
We hadn't been out to see Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Raymond for awhile so we went to visit them for the day. We had a great time catching up & enjoying the small water park that's behind their home.
Carlos Bakery!
One of our favorite family shows is Cake Boss and they built a Carlo's Bakery in Dallas! So of course the Hollands took us down for a visit. It gets insanely busy as the day goes on so we got there by 9 for some "breakfast" pastries. They were every bit as delicious as I always imagined them to be!
Since our Six Flags pass covers all the parks we had to go to Six Flags Over Texas. After a summer of 2-3 days a week at Fiesta TX the boys had a great time visiting somewhere new. Lillie decided to hang with Ruthie and Becca for the day since she doesn't get to see them much.
We also walked around the Dallas temple grounds while visiting the Hollands
Mom's Last Summer Project:
Why oh why did I choose August to get excited about doing another landscaping project?!? Who knows. The inner workings of my brain are a mystery even to me. That being said, August was when I woke up one morning and got excited about this project, so August is when it happened. It all started with a crepe myrtle tree. I bought it to just plant it quick on the side of the house. I wanted to get it in as soon as possible so it could grow tall and cover up the super plain side of our house that's visible as you drive up to it. But I didn't account for the fact that the spot of ground I chose was on a pretty good slope. The ground obviously needed to be leveled out and a retaining wall was needed. So obviously if I'm already going to all that work I might as well landscape the entire area and build a wall up the whole side yard. Right?!? In August?!? In 105 degree days and the sun shines on this spot from 7 am to 8:30 pm?!? Right. That was my plan. Totally and completely reasonable. Well, here you go:
Here's the part where I remember that I never took a before picture
I had never done a retaining wall. I bought the stuff for it, true. But I had absolutely zero idea what I was doing. I read instruction after instruction but my brain just could not grasp on how to start. I talked to Tim. I read internet tutorials. I called Harry for advice. All in one ear and out the other. My brain wasn't going to understand until I just got started. And so I did........and it was amazingly difficult. Not the actual wall building. Once I started and figured out the steps were simple. The difficult part was digging out the rocky ground and precisely leveling and measuring to lay these 40lb stones....all in the blazing sun in 105 humid heat. My brain would quickly feel like gelatinous pea soup. But somehow, someway, I built it. I was a hot and sweaty mess for two weeks. But I finished it and I am so proud! (Side note: it only took two weeks because I also keep an eye on this cute toddler every day and try to keep him from killing himself)
Isaac "helping me" wash out Grandad's truck after a day of hauling mulch and rock
The finished product!
Later I added some flagstone steps in the blank areas of mulch next to the driveway
What a TOTALLY FANTASTIC SUMMER! Thanks to my beautiful kiddos L, S, G, and I. Can't wait for Summer 2017!
