Finalmente!

It took until the beginning of August to find a weekend that worked to get up to Denison, but we finally made it!  It had to be a weekend with no sports, birthday parties or vacations, oh, and it couldn't be too hot.  Because we had enough heat in FL to last us for quite a while!  So, when it was only going to be 90 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, we took advantage of it and headed north.  And I'm so glad that we did.  It had been way too long--the girls and I went during Spring Break, but J man hadn't been since last fall--

which is about 9 months too long for this four-wheel driving cowboy!  He hopped on his favorite four wheeler as soon as he could and took it down to the barn.

Us girls were pretty happy to be there, too.  The big girls loaded up in the back of the Polaris...

while Cami rode shotgun with Gigi.

My little cowboy is such a cautious and careful driver.  He made both me and his daddy proud with how well he did!

Madison was so excited to show all of us the five new barn kittens.  She was right--they are sooooo cute!  There are two sets of girl twins and one little black boy, that she's named Tom.

Both of the white kitties are really sweet and

so is precious little Tom.

Jackson was pretty scared to hold the kitties, but he eventually warmed up to them.  Lila Lou never did, but she finally petted this one while I was holding her.

The kids loved just hanging out with the kitties while Boom saddled up the horses.  Cameron liked seeing the horses, too, and even tried to talk to them a little:)

Then it was time to saddle up!  Jackson rode Emma first and

 

the girls got on Princess.  They asked Daddy and Boom to just lead them around the pasture this time for a trail ride.  And they loved every second of it! 

 

 

After Maddie was done, Lila rode with Jackson...

 

and then with her daddy, too.  Such our little fearless cowgirl!

 

Madison rode with Jared, too, but then made sure to get back and give the kitties more sweet snuggles.

After all that horsin' around, we needed a water break.  We headed back up to the house and Lila was thrilled to get to ride in the front seat, without her seatbelt on.  Oh, my!  We are really living on the edge now.  Ranch = No Carseat Rules!

After we hydrated, we went down to the big pasture to see all the cows. 

 

We even got to wish this cute little guy a happy 1 month birthday!

 

On our way back to the house these two literally gave out.  It had been a big day and they were exhausted.  Being a ranch hand is hard work:)

 

 

The next morning after a night of almost no sleep for me and Cameron, my dad asked if we wanted to try and put the boat in.  The lake had lost so much water that the boat dock was actually sitting on dry land earlier this year.  It's come back a little, though, and he wanted to give it a go.  I was thinking, "I'm really tired.  I don't know if I can do this.  Both my mom and Jared have to leave.  How are just me and dad going to do this?...probably not the best idea....BUT, this might be the only chance for the kids to get in the lake this summer."  So I put on my Super Mom cape and we loaded up the golf cart and drove down to the lake!!

And I'm so glad that we did!  It was Cameron's first time on the boat and she did fantastic!  She didn't cry or fuss about the lifejacket (thank you, child) and instead just took a nap in my arms.

My sweet girl.

We didn't do anything fancy, just drove across to the buoys and hooked up.  But it was plenty to keep these three entertained.

They swam their hearts out while this girly napped in the shade.

There were many cannon balls!

Hang loose, dude!



Then our sweet girl woke up, just in time for snacks. 

In the driver's seat already!

This crew demolished the snack bag...

and then Jackson drove us back across the water.

And we did it!  A day on the lake with one grandpa, a mom, and four kids. We stopped to take in this view before heading back to the house for lunch.  It really is my happy place. 
Lake Texoma, I love you!  Goodbye, until we meet again:)