Dallas World Aquarium

Now that Kevin and Sara's family live closer, we get to plan fun trips together! Our first one was to the Dallas World Aquarium. It was a first for everyone, so we didn't know there would be so many land animals. Wesley and Curtis are always excited about time with Sadie, so this trip was definitely a hit.

Sara, Micah, and Wesley checking out some fish

This tank had leafy sea dragons. Amazing creatures.

I always love the penguins. One gave us quite a swimming
show while we were there.

Wesley and Sadie

Overhead Shark Tank!

Curtis always puts his hands over his ears when he is nervous.

Wesley and the beautiful jaguar

Wesley found a little monkey!

Always love Curtis' silly faces

The kids got to feed a baby toucan blueberries

Checking out a critter with Uncle Kevin

Sweet cousins picture

The amazing manatee!

After the aquarium we walked around the area to find a good place for lunch. We went to Gator's where most got all you can eat catfish, and we ate on the roof. 

Walking back from lunch

 What a good time! We are looking forward to more fun times with family.

Fort Worth Botanical Gardens

On an unexpectedly cooler day in July (mid-80's), we took an impromptu trip to the Botanical Gardens. It was not very crowded and was a great day to go!

In the Cactus Garden

The entrance to the Japanese Gardens

We saw lots of pretty butterflies here.

July PIcs

Here are some pictures of random and fun July days.

On July 4th, the boys requested time outside blowing bubbles and shooting water guns. That night for fireworks, we just went to a big parking lot and happened upon some church friends at the same spot. 

One of my favorite pictures of Curtis

We headed out to go swimming one day, but the pool was closed when we got there. On the way home, we stopped at the splash pad instead. The boys always love it.

Wesley really wanted a picture just like this.
 I was successful!

This is how they waited for the bucket to dump water
on them. Love them.

Wesley participated in a basketball camp at the high school this year with a few of his buddies from school. He seemed to enjoy it even though it was a little more intense than he is used to.

Dancing in the July rain!

Splash pad with friends, Joshua and Bethany

Visiting Mimi

In May, my Mimi fell and broke her hip. I was the one who found her after her fall since I was in Austin for a conference. I called 911, and an ambulance arrived quickly. Mimi was impressing all of the paramedics with her wit and positive attitude amidst her circumstances. It has been a long road, but she is finally back home with live-in help. She is doing pretty well now. We went to visit her at the end of June when she was still in the nursing home rehab facility.

We visited the Texas Military History Museum at Camp Mabry during our visit. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing all of the different uniforms, planes, tanks, etc. They had lots of war re-enactment scenes that were sobering. 

On a mess wagon

Wesley in the cockpit ejection seat

Curtis was waiting for it to eject him :)

The boys got to pick out one thing to get as a souvenir.
These helmets were in the running for a minute, but
Curtis chose plastic army men, and Wesley chose a
model stealth bomber. John Mark scored some used
WinstonChurchill books he's always looking for.

Trying on real military gear. It was very heavy!

Daddy and Wesley playing War back in Mimi's room

I've gotten to visit with Mimi a lot more than usual in the last few months due to her fall, and I have enjoyed it. So glad she is getting closer and closer to normal!

VBS 2014

This year's VBS theme at our church was "Weird Animals." Wesley and Curtis had a great time as usual. I was a little busier this year as I was unexpectedly put in charge of registration on the first night, but all turned out well. I'll be more prepared next year! This was our first VBS in our new church building, so it was more spacious and more kids came! The week's theme was that God loves us no matter who we are.

Wesley doing his song motions

Curtis and one of his crew leaders,
Miss Caroline

Logan and Curtis, good buddies

Curtis with his crew on the last night. Miss Caroline
and Mrs. Becky

The boys by the amazingly decorated stage

Our church puts so much effort into VBS each year, and it turned out great again this summer!

June Visits

In June, we had fun visitors: Sadie came for two nights and Misha and Gin-Gin came for a few nights to help me out while John Mark was at camp.

Our neighbors were having a garage sale, and Wesley &
Curtis scored this play castle for FREE! (nice neighbors)

Even screen time is more fun cuddling with cousin Sadie.

Sadie's family lives close enough for visits now!
We met Sara and Micah for drinks and to transfer Sadie at
the half way point between our cities.

 John Mark helped with youth camp again this summer, which meant I needed a little help with kid supervision for a few days. Misha and Gin-Gin came to the rescue and had "Grandparents' Camp."

The boys made these awesome welcome signs that we
staked in the yard with wooden skewers by our front door.

As usual, we didn't take enough pictures, but this is the
farewell shot before they headed back home.