Big Changes

It is official, Sam has earned an MBA from TCU. I am so proud of him and thrilled that this chapter in our lives is over. Sam started work at Bell Helicopter on July 18th. He works from 6am to 2:30, which means that we have plenty of time to spend with him in the evenings.  While it is wonderful having him around again, it is an adjustment.  I am used to parenting by myself and doing things my way.  We are working it out and having a lot of fun in the evenings together.  We even have time to meet at NRH2o after Sam gets off work and spend several hours there.  We are getting a lot of things done around the house that have been neglected for the past two years.  Just yesterday Sam replaced our garbage disposal that had a nail in it.  (The nail was actually piercing through the side of the disposal.)  I am not sure how a nail got in the disposal but I blame Carter Danger.  Now that we are staying in Texas, I am working on all the house projects that I started but didn't have the energy to finish.  I finally got the stenciling done in the dinning room and I made five new pillow covers for the family room.  The old ones were so dirty that it looked like someone rolled around in the back yard with them.  (That may have happened when I wasn't looking.)  This time I added invisible zippers, so I can wash the covers.   There are still several painting projects on the list, but I am slowly chipping away at it.

New pillows

Stenciled dinner room.

Published

Nick's article was selected for publication in a landscape architecture magazine. He asked me to take some photos for him, that will also be published. I will let you know if I become a published photographer.

Getting Along

For the most part, my kids get along really well.  Of course they fight sometimes, but that is not our biggest challenge right now.  While I was making breakfast, I looked outside and saw the kids laying on the trampoline quietly talking to each other.  I thought it was so sweet that I had to snap a photo.

Nelson Farewell

We organized a farewell dinner at Tuscan for Alycia and Nick.  Sixteen of us were there to wish them luck in Oklahoma.  Boooooooo

Friday Evening with the Van Osdell's

We visited the Van Osdell's and got quite the show.  Kendall and Cameron dressed up Renée, taught here a cheer, and performed for us and all the neighbors.  Gavin was in charge of the video camera.  It was a fun evening for everyone.

Gavin loved holding their little dog.

Cameron and Kendall teaching Renée cheerleading.

Getting ready for the show.

Swimming at Heritage

The Sparks invited us to swim at their community pool. They even brought us donuts! We had a great time and the kids love the slide.

Renée, Ethan, Caden, and Gavin

Gavin

Carter

Renée

ART party

I still love teaching at Let's Art Party.  They have cut back on everyone's hours, but hopefully things will pick up again.  One of the perks of working there is that Renée and Gavin get to participate in the kids painting classes.  They love it and are always asking to go back. 

Teaching a couples diptych painting.

Her outfit looks so cute with the paint color.

So sweet

I wonder what Ethan is doing with his paint brush.

Ethan, Gavin, Renée, and Lauren.

McDonald's

I was going to take the kids to Let's Jump, but it was full when we got there. We went to McDonald's instead and got to enjoy ice cream as well.  The Sparks family joined us.

Renée climbing on the piano slide.

This how I should always keep Carter Danger.

Gavin and Carter playing in the climbing area.

Renée making music.

Gavin and his friend Ethan

NRH2o

We have been having so much fun at NRH2o that I haven't taken very many pictures.

GG and PapPap in Texas

My mom was able to spend two weeks with us in Texas and my dad was here for one week.  We love having them here and had a great time. 
My mom loves the pool and spent about three hours there with Carter one day while I was running Gavin and Renée to swim team.  She sang with him, played games with him, and after a while he asked, "GG didn't you bring a book?"  She responded that she did and Carter said, "Well, don't you think it is time for you to read it."  He also grabbed her arm and said, "GG, you are rubbery." 
My poor mom had a lupus flare from being in the sun and spent the second week of her trip on steroids.  We were disappointed that we couldn't do everything we planned, but we still had fun being together.
Carter was assigned a talk at church and my dad was able to help him.  Enjoy the video.

We played a lot of dominoes.

PapPap set up a science lab (he is a high school biology teacher)

Carter wore his safety goggles to the pool.

Swimming with the kids.

Wedding Bells

I photographed my first wedding. Thank you Ronny and Casey for letting my capture your special day.

Shiner

Carter ran into the counter.

Make Artists

Renée and Sydney (If you couldn't tell under all that paint)

PTA Conference

I signed up to be an alternate for a nomination committee at a PTA meeting. They promised me I wouldn't have to do anything. I am not sure what happened, but now I am vice president in charge of hospitality at Eagle Ridge Elementary. The women I am working with are wonderful and I got to spend three days at a conference in Austin. I had a fantastic time and learned a lot. Here are some of the highlights.

On my way to the convention center.  Texas capital in the background.

One of the vendor booths.

Top: Jessica, Lisa, Stacey, Kirstin Bottom: Lindsey and me about to eat a yummy dinner.

mmmm meat

Watching the bats come out from under the bridge.  There are so many they look like a cloud.

Night life of Austin

We met up with Keller Council for dessert and I ordered this flourless cake.

Independance Day

We started our day with a church picnic breakfast and bike parade.  The kids decorated their own bikes with some streamers that they found.  We had a great time but even at 9am it is hot here.  My mom got into town at 2pm which was the best treat of all. 

It is HOT in Texas!

Changes

Sam will start work on July 11th at Bell Helicopter.  We are so excited to get to stay in Texas.  Sam will finish his MBA on July 18th.  We hope that all of this means that we will get to see a lot more of him. 

Bad News

My sister, Alycia is moving to Still Water, OK. Nick got a job at Oklahoma State as a professor. I am heart broken not to have her a mile away. We rely on each other for so many things and more than anything, she is my best friend. The first thing Renée asked is if we can move to Oklahoma too. For as long as my kids can remember they have had their cousins close. They will be four hours away and there is a fun state park right in the middle of us, so we will have to make extra effort to visit.
Alycia and Nick spent the weekend house hunting and found a house they are excited about. Blake, Trey, and Sydney have been staying with us.