Girls Camp

Jordan weighs 65 lbs. Jordan's bag for camp weighed 50lbs.

I told her to pull it, drag it, yell for help. She would figure it out.

This was Jordan's first away from home camp and she could not wait to go! She got to ride with Gemma and she was also in her same cabin.

This would be Jordan on a hike.

This would be Jordan in the dinning hall.(I guess she did not want to ask anyone to take pictures for her)

Jordan's bottom bunk.

Darci, Maddie, Lizzie, Gemma, and Mary

They were not allowed cell phones and I only texted Jenn one time to see how it was going. I know that we missed her at our house but I just knew that she was having a great time.

Jenn pulled up in the driveway and Jordan jumped out of the car and ran right for me. It was a great hug from her. Then we got to hear Jordan nonstop for the next 2 hours tell us of all her adventures. Her expectations were all met. No surprise, she then went and took a 3 hour nap.

Colby's UT Orientation

Charlene and Colby were actually in Austin waiting on us since we drove and they flew. They stayed at a hotel downtown since Colby had a very full schedule for the week. I wanted to get some pics of Colby on the campus but it just did not work out. Her first day, she was not too sure. She did not know anyone but soon met girls and one was from Georgia, very close to home. She took care of all her orientation check list and managed a few nights out.

Meanwhile, the boys, Char and I had a very fun filled week. It was really fun staying downtown and just enjoying the city from a different perspective. There are many weeks when I dont leave the bubble of Steiner Ranch. Tom was able to just come over from work and run in Zilker, swim with the kids, get Sno Beach snow cones. These are the best snow cones that I have ever had and all agreed when they tasted them. Their hotel room overlooked the Congress bridge and hence the flying of the bats was an incredible view. We have viewed from down below a few times but I had never seen them like this. It really is a cool thing.

So reality hit Char that Colby is in college now. Reality hit me that I have a closet full of Colbys clothes and that she will be moving into her dorm in 3 weeks. There is still a big shock factor for me that this is all happening. Cant wait for fall semester to begin for her.

I will add in that Colby is on full academic scholarship. That is a great accomplishment Colby!

Harbor Town

Logan is now old enough to enjoy the Harbor Town playground.

I dont know how many times I can blog about this place. This was the first time that we did not do our family reunion with Toms family on the island and the kids missed that but Jordan was determined that we were not going to miss our annual trip to Harbor Town.

Pool Fun

Leave it up to Aunt Char to buy Logan his own pool which was very cool, unfortunately I had to be in it with him for him to stay.

The rain was not going to ruin their fun!

Larson would swim all day long but only with his goggles on. I think this summer I have already bought him 4 pair and their allowed limit was one pair.

We love Aunt Chars pool. It makes it harder to come back to our community pools. I know how that sounds but I will admit that I have one deep envy and want in this world. That would be our own private pool. Our family has always been water people and once you have your own (or Aunt Chars) you can kind of relate with me. You don't have to pack a pool bag or even lunch. You just go in and get what you need. You don't have to stop other kids from taking all of your toys because their mothers are too lame to even pack any. I don't have to keep my kids from staring down others that have snacks in hand. I certainly do not count on a life guard to be watching over my own children. That is my job and it irritates me to hear the whistles blow to stop a child from simply being a kid and having fun but you know there are pool rules. At my very own pool there would be a personalized sign that reads NO POOL RULES. Here is my favorite of all. It is 100 out and you have packed all the bags and the kids are just ready to jump in the pool when the life guards blow the whistle and it is adult swim. I feel like standing on the side and yelling KIDS COME TO THE POOL TO SWIM NOT SIT ON THE SIDE.

If anyone is shocked at my editorial just remember that it is my inner secret and you are not to tell anyone about this.

(I would go on to say how I am really grateful for the beautiful community pools that we have in Steiner but that would ruin the effect of my editorial).

So I am off to pack our bags and hit the community pool!

Logan and his Elephant

Yes, this is Logans love of his life. It's Elephant and poor elephant does not even have a name. In the beginning I only allowed elephant in the crib but every time that he was crying the kids would go and get it for him and the rest is history. You do not plan on going anywhere without elephant. If you have driven off without it Logan will be screaming EEEEEEEEEEE from his carseat.

There is only one way to hold elephant. We would give it to him from the left side and he always turns it to the right. He sucks on that tusks only and then holds the other one in his hand. On occasion we have seen the tail in his mouth but that is just when he is giving him a huge hug and shaking all over it is so intense. The really bad part is that elephant is always moist and smells really really bad. Unfortunately that smell rubs off on Logan too. We wash Elephant but there is not much that you can do for the one tusks that he sucks on. He does not have an affection for all elephants. The kids were real excited that they got him a big stuffed elephant. He kind of looked at it and tossed it to the side. There must be something special about Logans elephant and I dread the day that it ever gets lost.

4th of July 2009

Our attempt of getting a beach picture of Logan. Even with Toms help he would immediately start running for the camera.

We spent the day at the beach with Aunt Char and Tommy. Then went home for some quick hot dogs so we could get back to the beach. Even though there are big venues shooting off fireworks, we love walking on the beach at night and there are fireworks going off everywhere and then you can even see big ones from both directions. Its just a fun night for us. We usually end the night with ice cream but our shop had been turned into a coffee shop.
Another tradition, is that when we pick up Daddy from the airport we hit the firework store on the way home. Almost every night we have our own fireworks at the house.

Beach Pics 2009

We spent three weeks at the beach this summer. Jordan had to get back for her girls camp. We have spent the last 21 summers there but this was the first for a short amount of time. Next summer may even be more different as my sister has her house for sale in hopes of getting her to Texas. As much as I love the beach, that is a trade that I will take.

Love this picture.

Tom took more time off this year to be with us a little longer. I know that we all liked that.

Kids taking a breather.

This summer was no different as far as beach days go. We packed up for the day, had enough food to keep the boys happy, lots of surf and sand and of course running off the beach some afternoons to take cover from their lightning and thunderstorms. The lifeguards did clear the water one time as a very cool dark cloud was sweeping across the ocean. It was bait fish jumping out of the water everywhere. It was crazy to watch. It was suspected that sharks had them surrounded. I have to say that was the end of swimming that day. That is the first time that I had ever seen that on Hilton Head. Usually it is just dolphins!

This is what we call baby jail at the beach. Dig a hole deep enough so that he can not get out.

Our surfer dude.

This boogie board finally met its death. I am not sure how many summers we had it but for a very long time.
We actually left it at the beach one time and the next day found it.

Jordans favorite activity: sand sculptures

Jackson favorite activities: wave riding and making sandballs

Larson favorites activities: any boogie board event

Logans favorite activity: seeing how much sand he can get on himself and anyone around him.

We love the beach!

Visiting Mom and Dads

We had not been to North Carolina for many years. We have been all meeting in Hilton Head instead. The kids have been begging to go to the "farm" the last couple of years. So one day, we loaded the car up with 4 kids, 3 adults, and 2 Golden Retrievers and headed to Pat Pat and Papas.

This is where I lived in Burlington, North Carolina. They have 13 acres with a barn and usually horses but they do not have any right now. The kids were bummed about that one.

Tommy getting in the spirit of being out in the country.

The last time the kids were there, Papa had the entire family room set up with all of his trains. They did some painting and new carpet recently so it was all taken down. Larson was not going to stand for that so the construction began almost immediately. Dad had no intentions of getting train tables set up as he is building a garage right now. However, with our surprise visit , plans changed.

It didnt take too long to get one track up and running. Larson was head engineer but certainly needed some training as there was trouble on the tracks quite often.

My sister and I stole a quote from Britney Spears when she was caught driving with her baby on her lap. Her response was, " I'm from the country, thats just what we do".

So we are from the country and this is what we do. Outdoor showering! Tommy is actually in the future bathroom that is under construction with Dads new garage.

Have I mentioned what a great time everyone is having including the dogs that are loving the freedom to run. Most of our time was spent outside. The best was just watching the kids be kids and explore outside. They were so so happy. I could not have been happier as a Mom because electronics was the furthest thing from their minds!

Jackson with his cousin Sage

The kids would mention something that sounded like fun and ta daaa Papa would go get some supplies. How much fun was this for them to construct their own clubhouse. The kids want to know why we don't have a yard like this. Pat Pat came out with a pillow case and let them finish it off with a flag.

Even Logan thought that coloring on the walls was fun. Oh please do not let that carry over to the walls in my house!

Logan with Aunt Jackie. She just drove back from Canada from visiting Boydie and family there.

The tractor was a hit with everyone. I looked over and my Dad was letting Jackson drive off at full speed. I had to run to stop him. I don't know what he was thinking. Jackson was so close many times to throwing everyone out of the trailer. I got them under control and then I could relax more. Of course, Larson was bummed that he could not reach the pedals to drive himself. I stepped back in time and went to go do my normal chore of mowing the front pasture. Bathing suit on and just sit back and relax while getting something major accomplished. I really enjoyed that time out there alone.

Kids loved feeding the geese and one lonely black duck.

Logan was into all of Pat Pats things!

I love this picture.

Its like Armageddon coming up from the barn.

Of course, we had our breakfast trips to Biscuitville and lunch at Zacks hot dogs. Showed the kids my high school. The girls (and Tommy) went to go see The Proposal. What a cute Movie. The kids would hunt and try to find the barn cats.

We drove to Durham one night to go have dinner at PF Changs. Sometimes with boys I would rather just stay home and cook (which is one of my least favorite things to do). The boys just get crazy in restaurants sometimes and just drives me crazy. This night I lucked out and they let everyone enjoy their dinner. Thats everyone except Logan. Aunt Char and I took turns taking him out because we just haven't been able to tame him yet.

This trip to Mom and Dads was one of the best things that I have done for my kids recently. Of course it is time well spent with family but it just was more than that this time. There was peace and relaxation. I could just see how happy everyone was. I didn't hear the "I'm bored" and going crazy trying to be the kids 24 hour cruise director. This is what I feel life should be for them. This was the weekend of the simple life. Now I don't think that you will see us moving out to the country anytime soon. I have adapted to city life just fine but this was a trip for the memory books.

Thanks for having us Pat Pat and Papa.

Beach Time

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