Fishin' in the Creek (and Some Creatures!)

I decided to accompany Walker, Thatcher, and Lainey to the creek to fish due to the hour of the day - dusk, when all of the bobcats and coyotes are out and about. It was interesting; I am thankful that these kids have this experience to explore on their own and develop confidence in themselves in doing so. 

posing with a frog

We saw SO many frogs. Mostly tiny ones! But a few larger ones like this one.

And the following day...we saw a snake in daylight. :) I have NO idea what kind of snake it was; I'm confident it wasn't a water moccasin but I really have no idea. Either way, it didn't want to talk or play with us and that was fine with me. ;)

Fishing!

Lots of kids Walker's age like to fish in their spare time. It's so random and funny to me, considering where we live! Walker and his buddies are totally into it. Even with these scalding August temperatures. Holy moly, Texas is so hot in August. 

These boys FINALLY caught their first fish after weeks of trying! They do need to work on the fine art of taking the hook out of the mouth of the fish, however. That seems to be a skill that all of them are lacking! (Pictured: David, Declan, Walker, Thatcher, and Daniel...the neighborhood gang minus one or two. We live near a creek so the boys like to go down there whenever they can!)

Walker's Baseball Banquet 2019

Since we were in Vegas, Walker went to the Dallas Patriots Banquet with a friend. He had a fun time with his buddies and he still doesn't want to purchase a suit for next year's banquet. 

Walker and Ryder

Walker and Hunter

Las Vegas: George Strait

One of Ben's bucket-list items was going to see George Strait in Las Vegas. So we did it! We went with our friends Jamee and Marvin. He still puts on an incredible show - we loved every minute of it!

This woman, Ashley McBryde, opened for George Strait. She was awesome! I really liked her.

The following evening, we went to see an over-the-top show called Absinthe. It was INSANE! I only recommend going if you don't get offended easily. Or at all. :) I didn't make eye contact with the emcee the entire time out of sheer fear of getting called out. :) Ha!

This is the green fairy...the only picture I got from the show. She was one of the hosts. She did a great job - the entire cast did! I'm so glad we went even though it made me so uncomfortable! All in all, we had a fabulous trip to Vegas! We spent time playing shot machines (me), Blackjack and Craps (Ben), laying by the pool (me), going to the Mob Museum (all of us), walking, eating, exploring, and relaxing. A great trip overall! 

Babies...

Little bitty kids...back on the first day of preschool, 2012. Look at all those new shoes and clean clothes.... :) And how is it that Walker is smiling? He cried so much when he was that age. :) 

L to R... Ainsley, Lainey, Walker, Gage, and Audrey :)

Lainey's First Pair of Pointe Shoes

Being put "en pointe" is SUCH a huge day for a dancer... Lainey was thrilled to have been invited to get "en pointe" this past Saturday with two of her friends, Ella and Eva. 

It is SUCH a process!

with her instructor, Ms. Jenni

with her sweet friend Eva :)

End of Summer, First Days of School

boys at a birthday party, celebrating Brayden's sister Cami

Izzy and Lainey, learning how to open their lockers

Izzy, Lainey, and Alina

Walker and his homeroom teacher, Mrs. Harper. He declared that he has the "best teachers in the world." They are both VERY sweet.

our traditional "night before school starts dinner" at Mama's Pizza

Ben and Lainey, discussing big things on the first day of school...as captured by our indoor game camera (don't ask). 

Walker's first day of FOURTH GRADE.

Lainey's first day of SIXTH GRADE. She caught (and continues to catch) the bus on her own in the mornings and it's GLORIOUS. 

Just a dog....not missing her siblings. Both kids have adjusted BEAUTIFULLY to school. I'm so thankful! Me, not so much. I need a few days to get into a routine! Right now I just feel like I'm scrambling!

Urban Air Fun

We went to the reopening of Urban Air Trampoline Park with the addition of a million new attractions! It was so fun!

Walker on the Sky Coaster...I also may have paid him to do it. He's so scared of things!

So proud. Even with money as a bribe.

me on the Sky Coaster...in addition to paying Walker, I had to promise to go myself

Lainey climbing a giant wall!

Lainey and Kaitlyn...they were SO high up there...

down the slide they go...

Closing out Summer...

Happy 2nd Birthday, Tom! :) We also found out that Tom will be a big brother to a BABY SISTER in January! We are SO EXCITED! Lainey might be the most excited! :) 

Catching a foul ball at the Rough Riders game...I think this is Walker's SECOND ball to catch at a Rough Riders game!

visiting with Aunt Elsie

supporting one of our favorite instructors, Mikey, at the studio after his solo performance

We SO love this instructor! He "fills" so many of these kids' "buckets"...we love him for that!

Lucky ducks Ben and Walker (and Kasen and his dad, Michael) scored front-row seats at a Ranger game...what a TREAT.

the boys on-screen, trying to catch a foul ball 

(Kasen, red shirt; Walker, blue shirt; Ben, light blue shirt; Michael, royal blue shirt)

Audition time for Lainey. This is her 8th year auditioning for company. I can't believe it!

Lainey and Morgan...total goobers.

forever friends :)