On Friday, July 1st, Mark and Anne became parents!  They induced Anne that morning, but after many hours of labor realized the baby was not descending and had to opt for a c-section.  I was able to get there around 6 pm (everyone else had been there for hours), and he was born around 6:15 pm.  He…

Me, Samuel, and…Maggie.  A summer nap on my bed.  

My title is a throwback to "Ernest Goes To Camp" – anyone remember that hideous movie from our childhood? 🙂 When I was in 5th grade I was nominated to attend a YMCA Leadership Camp held at Possom Kingdom Lake.  It was quite an honor, but I was NOT having it.  I cried and begged…

Today was the last day of swim lessons for Caleb and Samuel.  They've been taking from a woman named Ruth Henke.  Lots of friends kids came to her too.  Caleb has turned out to be a strong swimmer – part of me is wishing I had put him on a swim team (which would have…

Jacob was able to go to Scout Camp this year as an 11-year old only if his Dad went with him.  He's been looking forward to this for years and Derek took the time off to be able to accompany Jacob.  I think it was a great bonding time for them, and a great relationship-building…

Derek, as Bishop, got to accompany the Young Men ages 14-18 on High Adventure this summer.  They went to a camp for disabled children called "Camp for All" in Burton, TX.  Funny thing is, Burton is the same town where our family farm is located (population 300)!  The boys camped at nearby Lake Somerville, which…

Last weekend we had THREE parties – all of which involved a pool (is there any other way in June in TX?) and all of which served hot dogs and hamburgers (although one had grilled tri-tip for the adults!) and fruit and chips!  Friday night – party at the neighborhood pool with friends from our…

  I love Cub Scout camp!  It's just good-old-fashioned fun.  Archery, bb guns, crafts, nature, wood-working, games, etc.  This was my fourth year to go (Mon and Thurs) and I enjoy it more every year.  I especially being able to hang out with my own boys, but also the good boys of our ward/walking den. …

For Father's Day, Derek rewarded himself with a chance to sleep in (by cancelling his early morning church meetings!).  He got breakfast in bed, a new Mavs Championship t-shirt and a candy-gram. This man is a great father.  I think when I was dating him I intuitively knew that he would be good, but I…

Celebrating at the Mavs Parade just seemed like a no-brainer for me when the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Championship.  Afterall, I am a Dallas-born girl!  And have watched the Mavs year-after-year, playoff-loss after playoff-loss, late-night Pacific time game-after-game…cheering loud from the comfort of my home!  This playoff season was especially fun to watch and…