Better swimmers

 Both boys took 2 weeks of swimming lessons this summer. It was Luke's first lessons ever and he did great and gained some solid skills.  Jake has been taking lessons since he was 1, and this year was incredible!  He has definitely graduated from swimming lessons.  His teacher said from here on, it's either swim team or working on endurance, but he's looking good on all his strokes!  Both boys earned metals at the end of the week.  Luke was super proud to earn his first metal...

 Thanks Ms Jordan!  Jake honestly improved more in these two week than in the previous two years.  We couldn't be happier!

Dallas Summer Fun

 At the start of the summer, we all sat down together and created a "Summer 2016 Fun List"  We all brainstormed ideas of things we wanted to do this summer.  We did really great and did almost everything on the list (actually, the only couple things we didn't do were mom's ideas so I guess the kids' list was 100% successful).  One think on the list was go to Klyde Warren park, so one day we put on our swimsuits, packed our lunches, and headed into Dallas for a great day!  We parked by the museums and walked to the park so we even had some photo opps on the way there...

A surprise to us, there was a storyteller performing at 10:00!  We all listened to her story telling, then we she asked for volunteers to help act it out, Jake jumped right in!  We were so proud of his courage and his great acting skills!

Then it was time to play in the water.  These guys liked to crawl!

and play on the cool playscape!

Holmes!

 We met Wade and Wendi Holmes over 10 years ago.  I don't exactly remember when, but it was in Austin before any of us had kids.  We only lived in the same city a couple years, but we are blessed to have maintained a relationship with them from afar.  I'll admit, it might be in big part to Wade turning Kevin into a Spartan race fanatic, but whatever the reason, I'm so thankful.  This couple and their family are truly the best ever.  It is such a joy and honor to get to still see them each year, and this 4th of July we were pleased to host the reunion.  First off, we were excited to meet their baby Luke!  Look at this adorable chubby guy!

It certainly helps our connection to have some similar interests.  These guys sure enjoy playing baseball and are big Rangers fans!

 Over the 2 days, there was lots of backyard play, a visit to Kid mania when rain spoiled our 4th of July parade plans, a visit to the Eagles gym to let the boys play around and of course, fireworks!  Here's they are in front of the gym...

 Some outdoor fun!  It makes for a fun game of baseball when 2nd base is a kiddie pool!

 Cookout time!

 We got to see a care flight helicopter at the park where we watched fireworks...

 The fireworks were great, and the kids were doing really great and then things took a turn when about 10 minutes after the show was finished as we were walking tot he car, it started to pour!!!!  It was a super crazy, soaked end to our 4th of July celebrations!  Group shot minus baby Luke...

 Big Jake and Zane.  These two were super cute together.  Jake was a great big  brother to all the boys!

 Some final play before they had to head home...

Some randomness...

Here are some random photos from late Spring and early summer.  We're sure going to miss Campbell coming over on Thursdays next year!  This is priceless!

We got new concrete in our driveway, patio and garage, and the kids were mesmerized by the workers for a week...

Zoo lunch...

Just feeling the breeze of a hand blower in a public restroom...

Fort time!

We made a cookie White House thanks to Trader Joe's around the 4th of July...

Luke is "makin' a pizza" while Jake is on vacation with Papa and Granmama...

I think it's time for a haircut when you start to grow a mullet!

Austin adventure turned home adventure

 So, about an hour after getting to our friends, the Dishmans', house following our sno cone stop Jake began running a fever.  It was super sad timing, but we decided we had to head home because the next 3 nights of our Austin adventure were being spent with more friends and we couldn't take any chances of spreading it.  We sadly packed up and headed home.  Turns out Jake's bug was a fever-only 24 hour kind, so once he was feeling better we decided we needed to try to make up for a little bit of our Austin adventure.  Jake was most sad to miss playing in Bull Creek with friends and eating at Double Dave's!  We found a creek close-by to explore one day, and the next day we headed to the closest Double Dave's in Denton! Not wanting to drive all the way to Denton just for pizza, we also made a bowling stop there...

Austin trip: adventure 2

 Our 2nd adventure had to be Mayfield Park.  We had been going there every summer for several years to visit the peacocks and turtles and do some hiking and we couldn't miss it on this trip.  We even had a peacock show off for us...

 So we had to capture some pictures fast with the kids...

 Looking for turtles...

 The trails around Mayfield are all shaded and perfect distances for little feet...

 At one point, we got a little turned around, so here's a pic at the map of some tired and confused boys...

 We ended with a picnic on the benches.  There were some peacock friends staying pretty close waiting for food to drop.  As the boys seemed nervous about them being around our table, I kept ensuring them it was okay, and to just keep eating and they won't bother us.  Kevin and I were on one side of the table, and the boys on the other, and at one point Luke came over to our side.  That must have given our friend just the right opportunity, because he jumped up right next to Jake and started eating our Pirate's Booty!  Jake flipped out, Luke flipped out, so Mommy stayed at the table with our new friend to clean up while Daddy and the boys sought refuge.  It was quite the exciting end to our adventure!

 After an exciting end at Mayfield, we thought it would be fun to head to one of our favorite ice cream/sno cone shops.  One reason why we loved Shake's is they have a great shaded outdoor area with table and a great climbing tree.

 Yummy sno cones and fun climbing!