July Birthdays

One thing we miss by living away is seeing our nieces and nephews grow up.  Kids change so much over the years.  

Happy Birthday, Harrison, July 2.

(Harrison is on the far right)  He is turning 10.

Whitney, Happy birthday on July 11. Whitney is turning 14.

Kelsey, Happy birthday on July 17.  Kelsey will be 12.
Sweet Lexi will be turning 2 on July 21.

My brother, Michael John, is three years younger than me.

Happy birthday on July 15th.  
As I was watching the Bucket list last night, I was thinking what would be on my list.  One item would be to spend quality time with mine and Matt's family.  I am grateful that I have many years left to be able to spend that kind of time.  Happy Birthday to everyone and know that we are thinking of you even though we are away.  

Boston Red Sox Baseball

The Boston Red Sox played the Houston Astros for the first time this weekend at Minute Maid Park. 

Just like we did when we saw the Yankees play, we had to enter our name into a drawing to be able to purchase tickets for this game.  We bought our tickets months ago and the boys were thrilled to be able to watch the Red Sox play.  There were so many Red Sox fans there at the game last night.  I should have been cheering for the Red Sox.  It would have been more fun. The Astros didn't give us many opportunities to cheer them on.  

Sell out crowd!

Can't take their eyes off...

Proof that I was there too...

Fireworks to end the night.

Thursday night we also went to the game to see the Astros play the Texas Rangers.  I forgot my camera that night.  I had entered my name into a drawing from the YMCA and won the tickets. Does anyone need me to pick the winning lottery numbers for you? We've been pretty good on the winning of drawings this past year...the cruise beats them all.  We witnessed our first win when the Astros played the Rangers.  Yah!  A winning game is more entertaining to watch.

Happy Birthday this week to Hayley (my niece) and Angie (my sister-in-law).  We hope you have a fabulous day!  We are happy to be living so close to you.  

Fruit Plate Contest

Tonight for dinner the kids were decorating their plate with their fruits and veggies.  They wanted me to pick which one I thought was the best.  It was hard for me to pick because I knew which child made which plate.  Their suggestion was to have the blog decide. So, here we go.

They also named their plates...

Plate #1 The "mix up" plate

Strawberries, carrots, red and yellow peppers, blueberries,  red and green grapes, pineapple and peas.

Plate #2 The "double" plate

Strawberries, carrots, red, green and yellow peppers, blueberries,  red and green grapes, pineapple and peas.

Plate #3 The "fruit" plate

Carrots, blueberries, red/green grapes and strawberries

Ready, set, vote.  

I'm just happy that they like to eat these things.

Family Fun Day at Camp Strake

The last day of camp is a family fun day.  We rotated around 10 relays.  

Tug-o-war

Water Slides~ Christopher and Madelyn

Three legged race~ best buds. 

Christopher and Garrett
At the end, a fire truck came in and sprayed everyone.   What a perfect ending to a hot day!

Day 4 and Swim lessons

I didn't think we were busy enough this week so we are also doing swim lessons.  What was I thinking???  Madelyn can now swim underwater to me.  She could do that for hours. Back and forth, back and forth.

Garrett is also becoming a great swimmer and is learning to swim laps.

Christopher is learning all the appropriate strokes ~ side, front and back strokes

The YMCA pool

The boys "fort".  

We made Indian necklaces and leather tee pees.

We made hawaiian hats and prepared for our skit at closing ceremony.  

We made model airplanes.

Natalie and Brooke (Engh) Robbins... I went to high school with Brooke.  Who would have thought that we would end up going to camp together in Texas???

Garrett can't wait till next year when he can go with the big boys.  I guess that means I'll be coming again next year.

Tomorrow is family day! 

Day 3...I'm getting tired...

Look at Madelyn's shoes and socks.  She comes home wet and muddy everyday!

Garrett and Madelyn at the end of the day.  Tired and ready to go.  It's hot out here!!
The boys climbed up this ship that you could fish off and they could have played on that all day.
We made bird feeders.
The boys are having a great time together.
We made musical instruments.

How to be safe during an emergency.
But again, best of all, anything the boys can shoot.  Paint balls/wrist rockets.
Two more days.  Will I make it?

Day 2 ~ Camp Strake

Today we completed:

Leave no trace (about keeping the outdoors clean)

Leatherwork
Obstacle course
Aren't we having fun?!
Stay on the path
But best of all....Archery
Can't wait for tomorrow!!

Camp Strake ~ Day 1

This week is Christopher's Cub Scout Camp at Camp Strake in Conroe.  Today's highlights were BB Guns, Cub Grub and First Aid.  Madelyn and Garrett also are going to a "me too" camp along up there also.  I am volunteering all week so I'll be able to see the fun things they will do.

Our made up flag...    

Troop 223 
He's waited all year to do this...
I shouldn't be standing near all these eight year old with guns!

Until tomorrow.