From CA to Pottsboro

We have been looking forward to a visit from our Cali-family all summer.  Their flight got cancelled at the last minute, though, so it took some perseverance for them to make it to Texas.  Thank goodness American Airlines was able to get them on a flight at the last minute and our weekend could proceed as planned.

Maddie was part of the welcoming crew at DFW on Saturday night.

The next morning, we all arrived at Lake Texoma at the same time.

The last time Leslie saw Cami, she was just a little one-year-old baby!  My, how time flies.

We unloaded our bags, checked out the view...

and then headed down to the boat dock.

It was pretty windy and partly cloudy, so it wasn't too hot at all. All the girls approved!

A little while later, J talked Leslie into tubing with him.

I'm not sure she had any idea what she was signing up for, but she was a really good sport!

Most of our day was spent pulling kids on the tube, but we did have mandatory rest/swim hour, too.

Cami took this time to work on her surfing skills.

It was actually my favorite part of the whole weekend.  We got to chat and just enjoy each other!

After dinner, we let the kids do a few fireworks.  Miss 4th of July!

The big girls loved the sparklers...

and the little one did, too.

Same was true for Bubba.  He is starting to look so old to me!

It was a clear night to begin our 4th of July celebrations and entertaining for all.

Good morning, Texoma!

The next day we were ready to hit the water again...after some major storm clean-up efforts.
There had been a bad storm overnight that left so many broken trees and limbs, and wreaked havoc on our boat dock.

While Boom was power-washing the boat dock, we took Leslie and Glenda across the lake to see Ross Perot's house.

Then we found Addison and her fam out on the lake.
Lila showed her the ropes and they didn't fall off once.  Thank goodness!

The hot tub was a big draw whenever we were at the house--while I made lunch, this is where you could find the girls.  Easy enough:)

All lake weekends must come to an end, though.  We ended our night at the original El Fenix in Dallas, because it's one of my Aunt Glenda's very favorite places to visit when she comes to town.
Cheers to family!

Emerald City

Emerald City came to Murphy! 

It was the last band in a series of events put on by our little city called Sounds at Sundown.  

We were thrilled that we were finally in town to make it to one of these.

First, we met some friends at the bounce house.

Lila, Cami and Reagan all ran it about 11 times...

while Jackson and his buddies were busy playing football.

Then as we got closer to sunset, the crowds got pretty thick and the band kicked off.

It was such a great night for everyone.  Good music, 

glow necklaces...

and good friends who just happened to wear matching shirts!  Ha!

Pinecove and Cowboys Camp

Camp Week!  

Lila went to Pinecove in the City at FBC Wylie and Jackson went to Dallas Cowboys Camp at The Star in Frisco.  Both were so happy on Monday morning.

First, we met Brooklynn at Pinecove so the girls could spend their second camp week together.

Their counselor was super positive and immediately sat down to get to know her group.

I was thrilled that three of Lila's good friends were able to join her--Brooklyn, Harper and Lauren were ready to have an inspiring week, too!

After we left Lila, we picked up Ethan and Narit and headed to Frisco.  None of us had ever been to the Cowboys new facility and were all just blown away.

The Star is simply AMAZING!

Cole got there a little later and was almost as impressed as we were.

Lila loved her first day at camp!
They got to do fun water activities in between learning about Jesus.

During the second and third days of camp, the boys all wore their matching Cowboys shirts.  They were loving getting to practice football drills where the pros do.
Such a neat experience for anyone!

Meanwhile, Lila and the girls were having a total blast at Pinecove!

I heard that this gigantic water slide was completely awesome.

And Miss Lila just loved her sweet counselor, too.  From everything her counselor told me, the feeling was mutual--she praised Lila so much and said she was just so easy-going and a joy to be around.  She asked if she was my easy kid.  I answered with an emphatic "yes!"

On the last day of football camp, the parents were invited to a scrimmage.  The boys came running out of the tunnel with the cheerleaders on both sides.

After that, they started the scrimmages.  Each team had about 14 players, with a coach as the QB.  It would have been so much more entertaining if the kids could have been the quarterback.
Oh well!  Jackson and his buddies got to make a few plays.

After Day 4 of Pinecove, we made a pit-stop at the library.  The kids returned their books and picked out 23 new ones.  They just love this place.

The last day of camp was bittersweet for this little lady.
She had learned so much about the bible and enjoyed herself immensely, but she was also looking forward to a fun weekend.  

We ended camp by attending the Pinecove Pep Rally.  The kids sang songs they had learned that week, recited their bible verse and we watched a slide show.  Afterwards, the counselors praised each child by telling the group all about them.  I love Lila's amazing characteristics.

What a fabulous week! 

 

On the Pontoon!

Like Little Big Town says--Get yourself a koozie, let's go!  

We spent last weekend on the lake and were super excited to check out Boom Pa's new toy--the pontoon boat!

We invited Brooklyn and her big brother, Ben, to go with us this time.  On Friday afternoon, it was hot, but the weather was perfect for some tubing.

There is so much more room on the new boat!  These 5 easily fit on the back.

The front has more than enough room for this little lady to do some fishing.  She was in heaven every time we stopped to switch out tubers.

While we toured the lake, J took time to just enjoy the sun.  Did I mention we love this boat?!

We tried pulling two tubes at once.
It was alright until that long rope started coming across close to Ben's head!

Lake Life.  I think they could get used to it.

Even though we are some pretty rad tubers, we decided to just stick with one tube at a time.
These boys were ready to conquer Lake Texoma.

The boys did great--had some pretty sweet wipeouts--and then it was the girls' turn.

Everyone gave it a big thumbs up.  They are fearless!

After her turn on the tube, little Missy took the wheel, announcing, "I'm the boss!"
That she is.  And don't think she lets us forget it!

The next morning brought even more fun when Sawyer, Colby, Samantha and Riley brought their parents to hang out with us for the weekend.

Nine kids and six adults--we got this!

Cami and Sami. Love these little peas in a pod.

The big boys showed the little boys how to hang on for dear life!

Everyone took turns riding the wave runners.  When Adam drove by and asked if anyone wanted to ride, these two girls were the first to holler, "Me!"  They hopped right on and proceeded to tell him to go faster every chance they got.

Meanwhile, Colby was as happy as he could be pretending to be the Captain.

We swam, fished...

and just enjoyed being together so much.

We came in for lunch and the kids immediately all got in the new hot tub.  Kid approved!

After lunch, there was a lot more tubing.  Get it girls!

Many more rides on the big toys.

Everyone was a fan!

While we took it easy with the little kids, the thrill level was raised with the older ones.  I took the boys to jump some big waves.  We got sweet air and had so much FUN!

Jared took the girls for a spin or 50, too.

With our busy lives, I don't get to see Hayley and Emily as often as I would like.  This was the perfect remedy for that. Love my girls.

We played until Cami just gave out.  Sweet girl fell asleep with the fishing pole still in her hand.

Jackson took the boys on a ride up to the house...

and then kids did the slip 'n slide while we cooked dinner.

 

After we ate, we celebrated Matt's birthday.
"Happy Birthday, dear Matt.  Happy Birthday to YOU!"

The next morning, we went to fill up the gas tank...

then it was time to hit the water again!

All the kids took turns tubing until we had to call it quits at noon.
Baseball practice was calling Jackson's name back home.  Bummer.

My girl and I cannot wait to get back to Texoma this weekend with my cousin Leslie and Aunt Glenda!  It's going to be another awesome time--on the pontoon!