Summer Time: July in Review

July has been just as busy and fun as June!

It started off with a trip to Waco. It had been quite a while since we had been so it was nice to see everyone (except Michelle, we missed you!). The Bryants took us out on their boat and we had a great time. Colton had a panic attack over his life jacket at first, but eventually warmed up to it and actually wanted to get in the water towards the end. Lainey rode in the tube for the first time and loved it.

On Fourth of July our friends, the Gentrys, came to visit us. We avoided the heat and played inside. The kids were so happy to see their girls and we enjoyed visiting with them. That evening we went to a local park where they were having some festivities. We didn't stay for the fireworks but we walked around and let the kids play on the playground.

We have really been enjoying the Woodlands pools on the weekends. It is typical summer heat in Texas so swimming is pretty much the go-to activity. Cambry has enjoyed practicing her swimming skills and Lainey loves floating around in her puddle jumper. Colton has really warmed up to the water too.

Greg took off work on a Friday and we spent a night at La Torretta resort in Conroe. We went with 3 of the families from our old small group. We went with them 3 years ago, and it was so much fun to go again this time with more kiddos in the mix. They have great pools and a lazy river and kid areas. We spent hours and hours out there and the kids loved every minute of it. Us moms even got some girl time after all the kiddos went to sleep. I'm so thankful for these friendships even though we don't live super close anymore.

The kiddos, though missing 2 in this pic

They gave out popsicles in the afternoon and then set up fire pits for s'more roasting in the evening.

 I definitely want to go back next year. We missed all the families who couldn't make it!

This past weekend we went out to dinner and then afterward rode the trolley around. Then we walked around one of the parks we hadn't been to and listened to the music right next to the concert pavilion. We found a cute little maze for kids and enjoyed walking along the waterway. There are so many pretty areas in the Woodlands.

We have had some "summer attitudes" at times lately. Probably due to boredom or lack of schedule or looking forward to school activities. But there are lots of things I do love about summer and am so thankful for all the fun we have had together. I love that it stays light outside late, going to the pools, not having to get up early for school yet, being able to randomly go to the splash pad and Sonic without having a schedule, getting to do the moms group at church, and just enjoying being together. It's been a fun July.

Summer Time: June in Review

We have been having a full and fun summer. At the end of the school year I was wondering if we might be a little bored this summer but we really haven't. We have had lots of fun things going on and also some nice, laid back days.

June was full of activities!

Cambry started swim lessons. They were Monday-Thursday for 2 weeks at the Y. There were a couple days I put Colton and Lainey in child watch during the lesson, but most days I let them swim in the baby pool. Lainey loved it, but Colton either wanted to be held, or just run all around the pool area. By the end of the 2 weeks I was singing hallelujah that lessons were over. Cambry made some good progress and really enjoyed it.

Cambry also started dance lessons. The only extra-curricular activity she has ever done has been gymnastics at her preschool. I wanted to let her try dance to see if she likes it. She is giving me mixed signals so far. But she looks adorable doing it. I love watching little kids dance!

Lainey has continued with her private gymnastics lessons. She is doing well and having fun. Her favorite is the trampoline and the pit. At first it was all I could do to keep Colton off the gym floor during her lesson. But he and Cambry have gotten pretty good at entertaining themselves. They find random items on the side lines and Cambry creates obstacle courses for herself.

Cambry did VBS at our church in June also. She had a great time there. She got super excited to give money to their collection. She has a very sweet and generous heart and is always eager to give money to church.

When we got back from our Galveston beach vacation we came home to see that a rabbit had moved into our backyard. She lives under our deck and Cambry has named her Raleigh Rachel. But let it be known that I am not allowed to call her Ray-Ray or I get fussed at. We feed her carrots and lettuce and apples. We are slightly concerned that she may eat all our nice new grass. But she is cute.

Greg and I went on a date one weekend. It was just a quick dinner but it was fun. We need to do this more often!

We also celebrated Greg's birthday and Father's day. Well, we actually didn't do much for Father's Day...poor Greg. Greg likes to eat BBQ on his birthday (he claims he only gets it once a year, which  is mostly true). Unfortunately the place was closed when we went! So we settled for a nearby Mexican food restaurant. (Side note: we did eat BBQ this weekend to make up for it!) On Father's day our church handed out strips of bacon to the dads which I thought was so awesome. Then on Sunday afternoon we went to our friends' gathering in honor of their son's "Heaven Day". We miss Roane very much and our hearts still break for his family.

Besides all those activities, we have been enjoying the Woodlands pools and parks. There are so many to discover. The heat and mosquitoes are so bad that sometimes it makes playing outside difficult, but we still try to enjoy the outdoors as much as we can.