Lake Life

We enjoyed the lake so much on NYE that we just had to get back there before school started again. This time we let each kid bring a friend and it worked out so well!

Jared and the boys watched some football...

while the girls and I walked down to the lake.

It was a gorgeous January day and the water was so calm.  I just love the girls that Cami and Lila brought with us, which made it perfect.

As we approached the water, the little girls just couldn't stand it and had to run ahead.

They ran all the way down to the shoreline.

No ipads, no kindles, not really any TV.  Just the great outdoors.  And they loved it.

Jared and the boys came down a little later and started skipping rocks with us.

Then we hopped in the Mule for a quick ride.

That afternoon we hunt out on the back porch as the kids played hide and go seek.

Maverick was loving life!

The boys did some target practice until the sun went down.

After dinner it was time to check out the hot tub.  They approved!

Camp Counselor Crystal helped them get showers and dry hair and then prepared some delicious hot chocolate by the fire.

Cheers to Redi Whip and chocolate syrup!  Next level hot chocolate right there.

The weather was so ideal that we didn't even need blankets!

Everyone got a good night's sleep and wanted to try their hand with the bebe gun the next morning.  Camp Counselor Jared handled gun safety, 

and then assisted Mallory with her first attempt to hit the target.

She preferred laying down to steady her gun, though.

Eventually all 6 kids took turns aiming at the target and then it was my turn.  Happy to report that Camp Counselor Crystal stepped up, took one shot, and nailed the target on the first try.  Bam!  That's how it's done, kids. 

We explored the shore again later that morning, and took Mav along this time.

The girls found a giant "Moana" stick, 

played bean bag toss, more hide and go seek, and then I taught them kids how to play Blackjack. 
 A few of them got really into it, including Cameron and Mallory!

We had the BEST time just being outside and with friends.  Making memories.  Priceless.

Happy New Year!

 We rang in 2020 at Lake Texoma.  It's one of our very favorite places to be, so we figured, why not?

We packed our toboggans, hoodies and even Maverick.  He's such a good lake dog!

Love our party of five.  We took golf carts rides to the lake, 

Jared taught the kids how to shoot a bebe gun.  Turns out, Lila's a pretty good shot!

Cami needed a little help, but liked it.

And Jackson hit the target a time or two.

We put on our party hats, poured some Sparkling Grape Juice, 

kids got on their swimsuits, 

and dove into the hot tub!  Happy 2020!

The next day, Gigi, Boom, Madison and her friend Jordyn came up to Texoma.

We spent the day with them and then headed back to reality. 
Bring on 2020!  We are ready for a great year.

Post-Holiday Parties

 After Christmas, we kept the fun going.  We met Aunt Bina, Amy, Jacob and their two kids at the funniest restaurant in Arlington.  Campo Verde is decked out for Christmas YEAR ROUND!

There are decorations on anything and everything. 
It's like being inside one of our favorite holiday shows, The Great Christmas Light Fight.  Ha!

The food was just so-so, but the atmosphere was worth the trip.

Merry Christmas to our Fort Worth fam!

A few nights later, I joined Mallory, Carol and Kristy to celebrate Kristy's birthday at Jasper's. 
So fun to have a night out with new friends.

That same night, Jared and my dad took these four girls to see Tatu coach the Mesquite Outlaws.

Before the game, Jared got to go onto the field and meet Tatu. When we were little, Tatu was the star of the Dallas Sidekicks, a pro indoor soccer team.  Jared loved him and even invited him to his birthday party when he was 8 years old.  Tatu didn't make it to that party, but since he is now Madison's soccer coach, we've got the hookup, so he finally got to meet him. 
Dreams do come true!

We also celebrated sweet Baby Mason at his first birthday party.

His parents helped him blow out his candles...

he posed for a few pics...

and got lots of laughs from his cousins for gobbling up all that cake.

He's such a happy little guy, we just love him to pieces.

Happy 1st Birthday, Mason!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day 2020

We kicked things off early!  The kids set their alarm clocks for 6 or 6:30 and were up and ready to see what Santa brought.  Mav was still sleepy, along with me and Jared.

Santa brought this funny antler ring toss game...

and Jared brought many laughs when he joined us wearing his moose costume!  Ha!

The biggest oohs and ahhs came from Cami's new gymnastics bar and mat.  So cool. 
She's one flippin' little gal.

Santa also brought new scooters for both girls--Lila's is electric and Cami's lights up.

Jackson got all sorts of neat things, including Air Pods, Oakleys, a silver cross necklace and this funny shirt from The Office, since it's his new favorite show.

The kids loved their stockings, too, and found all sorts of fun things in them...

like these awesome socks with Maverick's picture on them!

Speaking of Mav, he was one happy boy, chewing away on his super-sized bone.

We all opened our gifts from each other, which included a week at Sky Ranch for both of these kids.  They love it so much and are thrilled to be going back again this summer with their friends.

A few hours later, we were ready to welcome the Raines family for brunch. 
Cutest cousins ever is my caption for this picture.

Madison gave Lila a necklace and earrings from Kendra Scott.  I love it that they both are old enough to appreciate nicer gifts that come in small packages.  Lila was so thankful.

Miss Lilly is at such a precious age, too.  We had fun picking out toys for her, and she especially liked this talking dinosaur.

A few hours later, we were at the Hays home for dinner. 
weet Baby Mason was loving his very first Christmas.

Mewaw's house was full of delicious food and sweet family.  

Cami loved playing the piano with Aunt Lyndsie's mom, Tonya.

And Jackson enjoyed hanging out with his uncles and grandpa.

It was a lovely evening with my kiddos...

and our family.

Aunt Lyndsie brought the kids some cookies to decorate themselves.

We had an excellent meal that included beef tenderloin...

and then got to opening the gifts.

Connor and Mason liked their sloths!

And Jackson and Lila loved their new shoes.

It was a Merry Christmas indeed!