Our HOA hosted 'Wildlife on the Move" one weekend and we were up close and personal with all sorts of critters: a Komodo dragon, tortoise, King snake, tenrec (from Madagascar), bearded dragon, opossum, legless lizard, and a python. Brooke came home wanting a tenrec, but you will not find a single picture of her with the snakes or lizards because she wanted NOTHING to do with them, haha!
Sunday Selfie, July edition :) The sun was a little too bright for Colby, so we never got a pic with his eyes open.
I kinda miss being able to grocery shop on my own, but these two make it more entertaining (and also more expensive since they each want to add different things to the cart!)
The Midlothian fireworks show is hands down one of our favorite Fourth of July traditions, and I love that it's actually on the evening of the 3rd.
Waking them up on the 4th was a bit rough after a late night, but our ward was hosting a pancake breakfast that morning so we had to wake them. They've been sleeping in this tent in Colby's room for the last few nights, so we'll see how long it lasts!
On our way to the breakfast, we listened to God Bless America and the feelings of patriotism hit hard. I'm so grateful for this country and for the freedoms we enjoy here!
A random Brookie creation with leftover glow necklaces...
We enjoyed a boat ride with our family and I had to highlight our patriotic toes. Notice how tan Brooke is??
Watching these kids progress in their surfing has been super fun to watch...
Love this boy :)
I even took a few turns out there on the new surf board. It isn't quite big enough for me, but it was fun to try.
We ended the night with THE most beautiful sunset and their longest rides yet! I took way too many pics as I was recording, but they were just SO excited and that made my mama heart happy.
Their tent game is still going strong!!
We had another great day at Nova Gymnastics with friends. Marlie taught the kids how to flip on the bars and they were obsessed.
Colby lost another tooth...and they slept in their tent again. Makes bedtime super easy! I'm honestly shocked at how many nights in a row they've slept in there. I threatened to cut it off when they were fighting the next day, but they assured me that they could get along.
We enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach with ward friends. We had a smaller group than usual, but the kids loved all piling on the paddle boards and having a boys vs. girls water war. And just look at those puffy clouds!!
We had a great night at the lake with Kevin's boss, Craig Sharp, and his family. I wasn't sure what to expect with their teenage daughter, but she was seriously so fun and my kids had a blast jumping off the boat, having diving contests, and teaching her how to knee board and surf.
We had far too many bikes in our garage, so Brooke and I parted with our beach cruisers. It was a little sad because I have had my bike since our first year of marriage in our tiny salmon-colored house, but our garage is more manageable now, so it was a good move. Now we just need some cooler temps so we can go riding.
The Dallas Puppet Theatre came to the library and the kids were able to touch some of the marionettes after the show.
I sold some clothes at the local thrift store and Brooke wanted to look around. I assured her that the clothes weren't her size, but then we found three of the cutest skirts (size 00), two of which were only $1. Oh, and she loved all the sassy shoes. Shopping with my girl is going to be a lot of fun.
Colby was unabashedly cackling at this giant witch, and while I was a tiny bit impressed, I was mostly embarrassed. But not embarrassed enough to miss out on a picture, haha.
We had a lot of fighting on a random Monday, so I knew we needed to change something up. The next day, we went to the trampoline park so they could burn some energy and hopefully improve their moods.
Their favorite place to jump was over this obstacle...
We don't have oars for this giant raft, but that didn't stop these kids from improvising with hockey sticks. Spoiler alert: they didn't work well because of the holes!
Pyper, Evie, Brooke, and Abby
I dropped the kids off for a cousin sleepover at Grandma and Papa's house. They were SO excited and commented that "everything" was their favorite part of the weekend.
While the kids were away, Kevin and I enjoyed dinner at Torchy's, saw Sounds of Freedom, relaxed at the lake, and visited the temple.
Can't forget to document the fact that they slept in this tent for 12 nights straight! Colby was ready to go back to his bed on night #12 so he could have "Mama snuggles", but Brooke convinced him to stay one more night and I laid on the floor outside the tent and tried to snuggle him until he was asleep.
What happens when you let Colby cut his own Rice Krispy treat during family game night, haha...
Love when I get to "sittervise" at the pool...
We missed the Hawkins family while they were on vacation, so my kids were pumped about an all-day play date. And turns out that those $70 dance recital costumes were well worth it since we've had them for 6 years and they still "kinda" fit Brooke.
After-dinner dips were my favorite growing up, and my kids love them as well. No sunscreen required and they get to play with Daddy.
Colby lost another tooth and wrote an adorable note to the tooth fairy...
It's been consistently 103 degrees for weeks, but we decided to play some morning tennis anyway. Thankfully, the courts are also right next to a splash pad, so the kids could cool off during our time there. They were back and forth at least three times, and when friends (the Smiths) randomly showed up, we took a longer splash pad break.
After sweating buckets all morning, we hit the pool for the afternoon! My new summer tip: pay your kids 10 cents for every lap they swim and it burns all the excess energy. I was so impressed that they both swam 20 laps.
We finished the bike purge by selling this blue beauty. Before the buyer came to get it, Colby requested a picture "with a sad face" since he loved his old bike.
I also wanted one with a smile, haha.
The kids loved having Harvey and Frost spend the afternoon with us. Lots of time inside, outside, and at the pool!
We took the Danielsons on our boat one Friday evening. Bishop was wearing Kevin's life jacket, so Kevin just grabbed another one from the stash. We were giving him a hard time about the pink piping, so naturally, I had to get a picture.
We were missing the rest of their family, but we still had a great night.
Sunsets on the lake never get old!
We were back at the lake on Saturday morning in hopes of smooth water. It definitely wasn't "Sunday Smooth" (the joke since it's always the best on Sunday when we don't go boating), but it was still beautiful.
I adore our family time at the lake and love that we have so many happy memories there.
We pulled out the old wakeskate and had some fun. Both kids loved it and I loved seeing their progress every single time they got up.
This is summer right here...
We went to the Dallas Boat show and were astounded at the price of boats these days! Honestly, it's shocking and makes us realize even more what a huge luxury it is to have access to a boat at a lake right by our house.
My sleeping beauty :). We are so NOT ready for early school mornings, so we'll be taking full advantage of these next few weeks!
The Primary kids dressed in "pioneer clothes" on Sunday as they celebrated Pioneer Day. As we drove to church, Brooke read about one of my ancestors (an 11 year old girl) who crossed the plains in one of the first handcart companies. As she read, I felt such gratitude for her faith and strength to do something so difficult at such a young age. Faith to move mountains!!
Craig invited us over for dinner and they prepared the yummiest Mexican dinner for us. They even filled a pinata for the kids :)
A quick visit to the orthodontist to make sure Colby's teeth and jaw are as they should be! It's strange because I feel like they expanded Colby's jaw way more than they did Brooke's, but the doctor explained that they have totally different face and jaw structures, so their smiles will look different.
Colby's battlefield creation...
Poor buddy came down with a stomach bug during the night and spent a good portion of the next day on the couch or in his bed. It's no fun having sick kiddos, but it wasn't bad to slow down a bit.
We were still dealing with tummy aches the next day, so the kids spent most of the day playing legos, watching shows, and reading.
I loved watching these girls swim and play together for Activity Days. And dare I say, it was a bit cold when we got out. That's definitely not something I'm used to in the Texas summer.
Brooke attended a friend's (Lyla) birthday party at Buff City Soap. These sweet girls will be at different schools next year, but hopefully they can still maintain their friendship.
Our Friday pizza/movie night was replaced with pizza/boating the last few weeks and we were all big fans.
The water was SO calm and beautiful as the sun was setting.
The next day was boating with cousins :) I always love watching the kids laugh and play together.
A little cat nap for Emery...
Sunday Selfies...
We enjoyed some pretty cool library programs at the end of the month. The first was a Birds of Prey presentation (family-owned business) with the most beautiful owl. Later in the week, we went to the main library where they brought a few animals from the Dallas Zoo.
And that's a wrap on July!!
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