Six Flags

It was warm today, so we made a quick trip to Six Flags with the Nesters.  It is awesome with short lines and so few people.  Everyone had a blast!

Playdate

My boys have been looking forward to Graham coming over for a playdate for days.  Our first stop, Yogurt Land.  This made for some hyper but happy kids.

First Day of School

My boys are off to school!

Reed was so excited to start Kindergarten, and he couldn't wait to get to Old Union.

Ryland was a bit more reserved about getting a new school year started.  I think he knows it means early mornings are upon us.

Reed poses with Ms. Hill before he finds his seat to start the day.

He was all smiles as he dives into his new can of Play-Doh.  I love his enthusiasm!

Ryland takes a quick picture with Mrs. Astrin, and I can tell by his body language that he is nervous.

By the time he sits down at his new desk and finds his worksheet, Ryland has teared up and wants to go home.  I get it sweetie, but I promise you will be OK in an hour.  Hang in there my sensitive boy.

Active Sports Camp

Another year of fun at Active Sports Camp for the boys.  This is one of their favorite summer traditions, and they always ask to go.  Worship and lots of sports!  Perfection!

Snake

The boys have been fortunate to not have a snake issue at the ranch, but they ran into trouble this afternoon.  They killed the snake, but unfortunately the snake bit one of the dogs first.  While Jack, the dog, was nursed back to health by the vet, they hunted the snake down and flushed it out of its hole.  A good snake is a dead snake.

Camp Thurman

The boys had a new experience this week, and they loved every single minute of it.  They had a fantastic time at Camp Thurman.  They made new friends, worshiped the Lord, and played outside all week.  It was a hike to get them down and back each day, but it was worth it.  They have so many great stories, and they are already begging to go back next year. 

Sleepover at the Perot Museum

I have been really excited about taking the boys to a sleepover at the Perot.  We were thrilled to get a spot, even though it was right after returning from vacation.  It was a Super Hero themed night, and we all had a great time.  We couldn't help but think about the movie with Ben Stiller.  Would these guys come alive?

My Super Heroes

"Throw the bone!"

We also were treated to a 3D movie.  Overall the night was a great success, and we enjoyed exploring the museum with only a few hundred people.  When it was time to sleep, I got a big uncomfortable, but the boys were happy as could be.  We slept on the dinosaur floor with a great view.  Awesome night with my boys!

Rock Climbing

We have been members at our gym for over 10 years, and we have never climbed on the rock walls.  Today after our workout, the boys asked if they could give climbing a try.  John Chris, Ryland, and Reed strapped on the safety gear and made it to the top of a few of the walls. They said it was pretty difficult but lots of fun!

Friends

Ryland has made a great friend at school, and he and Grant are big buds.  It is so much fun to see them interact and play but most of all just be silly boys.

The Kill

The boys had a great hunting trip this weekend.  They killed a doe on Saturday night and a 9 point on Sunday morning.  Making lots of great memories at the ranch.

Geodes

We are enjoying every little moment of Thanksgiving break.  Today, the boys and I learned about geodes.  This fun kit provided hours of fun and education about these amazing "rocks".  It got a little messy, but that just made it more fun.  I love seeing their minds work!

BOO!

A fun way to get in the "spooky" mood for Halloween is to pull pranks on your neighbors.  Today, we ran a secret mission to BOO! the Nesters.  We packaged their tricks and treats and created a plan to sneak over to surprise them.  It was a great, but we didn't plan on Addie to be hanging out in their living room looking out the window.  Busted!  The boys made the drop on their front porch, with screaming laughter.  Such fun times!

Pumpkin Find

We hit the super large pumpkin jackpot at Sam's.  We bought the four biggest pumpkins we could lift to get ready for Halloween decorating.  The boys were thrilled.

Jiu-Jitsu Gets Real

The boys loved Jiu-Jitsu this evening.  Sensei had a Fort Worth police officer that he had trained and worked with over the years come to class.  The officer worked with the children about real world situations and how to take down a "bad guy". 

I loved the smiles on the boys' faces and their excitement tonight.  It was great that they had a blast and started connecting what they are learning to real world actions.  

Roughing It

We made a family trip out to the hunting ranch to help John Chris finish up a few projects before hunting season arrives. It is pretty primitive.  I looked out the window to see John Chris taking care of his business in the wilderness.  This has got to be a guy thing.

Ice Cream

Ryland and Reed love ice cream!  A hot, lazy summer afternoon was just perfect to make a stop at their favorite ice cream shop, Milwaukee Joe's.  They had to eat fast, because it melts fast in 100 degree heat.

Belt Up

The boys officially received thier new belts this evening.  Ryland is now an orange belt, and Reed is now a yellow belt.  Way to go boys!  Your practice paid off!

Work

We are still working in the backyard to finish the new pathway before the grass comes in this week.  Ryland and Reed love helping out and playing on the truck.  Who needs toys?

Pool Remodel Continues

As the rain keeps coming, the pool project keeps going.  We had a good amount of rain overnight, so the once empty pool is filling up.  The boys had a blast playing in the few inches of water, and Cooper even wanted in on the action!

Slumber Party

We must have been a little crazy to have two boys spend the night.  Charlie and Travis stayed with us, and Ryland and Reed were thrilled.  Ryland had a baseball game Friday night, so we all headed to the ballpark.  It was a bit hectic to keep up with four kiddos running around the park, but they stuck together.  Of course, no night is complete until the boys' bathroom is shut down, so you can go in and get a little boy that wet his pants.  And of course, you don't have spare clothes for him.  

When we got back home, the big boys were building a fort in the game room and wouldn't let the little boys in to play.  We decided that we would just make our own fort.  Little did they know that I have spent years making forts as a child, so they were so impressed with the fort we built.  The big boys were begging to come play with us, and we had to tell them, too bad, too sad.