Forgotten Treasures

I was going through some pictures on my camera and found some that I had forgotten I'd taken.  These first are from the end of June (just before we moved) when we were hanging around the house.  While boxing up the utility room, I found a bag of fireworks that my mom had given the boys.  So, of course, we had a practice session for the 4th of July in our backyard.  Also, we had a passel of kittens at the time that Ella enjoyed toting around everywhere.  They were so tolerant!

The other set of pictures I discovered was of the Corning 4th of July parade.  Corwin rode in the church float, and the rest of us watched.  I don't think I've ever seen a parade with as many pageant contestants, tractors, 4-wheelers, and cars as this one.  It was a L-O-N-G parade!  But, the weather was nice, and the kids racked up some candy for their collection.  It was a good day....

Table Rock Lake Legacy

When I was growing up, my family often enjoyed a summer vacation camping at Table Rock Lake.  It seems (to me) that we went every summer, although I know that isn't true.  Memories of spending all day in your swim suit, diving the depths of the swim area for "pretty rocks," riding bikes throughout the campground, and boating, skiing, and tubing are precious to me.  I am thankful that my family is continuing the semi-annual tradition.

 

This year was Ella's first Table Rock Lake camping experience.  Corwin and Owen have been before, but they were very young.  So, this year was special.

 

Of course, there was swimming...

 

...and more swimming...

...bike rides...

...even bike rides INTO the lake (off the boat ramp)...

...boat rides



...tube and "Silly Serpent" rides...

...rope swings and cliff jumping...

...cousins...

...and lots of family time....

After a week at Table Rock, we came back a little pink from the sun, very tired from playing hard, and ready for real beds and showers.  We loved every minute of it, though.  Can't wait to do it again!

Water Park Fun

I was hungry for a little summer fun, and what is more summery and more fun than the water park?  We found out they were running a discount, so me and the boys headed for some fun in the sun.  Ella came for a little bit, but Daddy picked her up after his golf game.  She enjoyed it for the hour, or so, that she was there.  However, I have no photographic evidence of it. 

 

Owen jumped waves in the wave pool, traversed the water playground, and floated miles in the lazy river (his favorite).  And, with some force, he went down the big blue slide four times.  He whined all the way up the stairs, and laughed all the way down the slide.  When he realized how much fun it was, he wanted to do it again, and again, and again.  My legs were tired from climbing steps, and arms were tired of toting the tube.  But, he loved it!

 

Corwin got there and found a couple school friends, so I have no idea what all he did.  He loves the big slides!  Thankfully, the park is very small (lazy river, wave pool, kiddie playground, and 3 large slides) so I was able to see him often and keep track of him.  Perfect for us!  He had a ball!

 

The weather was perfect, and the crowd was minimal.  We were there for six hours, and they still cried when we headed home.  I suppose that's a good thing.  :)

 

College Station, TX

We took a flying trip to south Texas and back Memorial Day weekend.  Jason had a cousin graduate from high school, and we had the time to get it in, so away we went.  20 hours in the van in three days.  Whew!  But, we enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Jason had to go to A&M and see all the stadiums.  We have to do that anywhere we go that there is a major university.  I don't know why....

 

We enjoyed visiting with the family, and the boys enjoyed swimming in Aunt Lane's pool.

 

Ella enjoyed the water, too.  We bought her and her cousin, Annalee, a kiddie pool, but she wasn't interested in it for long.  She wanted in the big pool.  She is going to be one I'll have to watch carefully.  She didn't want me holding her, she didn't want in a floaty, she didn't want ANYTHING but to swim like Corwin, with no constraints.  Forget that the pool is 4 feet deep.

 

I was glad we went.  We don't get to see the Morris family near enough, and we always thoroughly enjoy our time together.

Pitching Machine

Well, we graduated from t-ball to pitching machine this year.  Corwin's team wasn't terribly successful.  In fact, they were more terrible than successful.  They won a couple, but lost most.  However, they were a very young and inexperienced team.  Corwin learned a lot, and really improved a lot.  He got a lot of playing time, and really improved his throwing and hitting.  So, all-in-all, it was a good season.  It is now over.  I think we're all a little relieved and ready for the break.