Took a Little Trip

Last month Madelyn and I joined Conley and Summer on a trip to Grapevine, Tx. This was our first time to meet Conley's dad and step-mom, Bill and Carol. It was a fun-filled trip and I'm looking forward to future trips.

 Madelyn loved their pool and was completely content doing nothing else.

 Dinner out at Joe's Crab Shack

 

The girls learning card tricks from Carol. We also spent one evening playing Gestures. It was so funny and I pretty much suck at it.

 

 We spent one morning at Lake Grapevine which is walking distance from Bill and Carol's house.

 The girls enjoyed the water and Conley and the girls took a little swim to and from an island.

 We had planned to go to LEGOLAND but there was an over two hour wait so we went shopping instead.

 Photo bomber, Summer.

 They may just have a modeling career.

 More pool time.

Bill, Conley, Carol and Summer

Geckos were out every night to eat bugs, so each evening we went Gecko hunting. They are fast little boogers and lose their tails when trying to get away. We ended up catching seven. They made the trip home with us. Well two basically were cooked to death in the back window of the car, but five made it home. The remaining lived for less than 48 hours. Obviously we aren't good at gecko raising.



Ear Plugs Please

Madelyn has decided to give band a whirl. Her dad and I encouraged her to be in band but let her know that if she starts this year we want her to play through at least the eighth grade. She had to do some pondering before she was willing to commit. Once she committed then she had to decide what instrument she wanted to play. First it was the trombone, but then when trying out different instruments in class she discovered that she was pretty good at flute, but her final decision was the trumpet. Thankfully we found a great deal for a gently used trumpet on Craigslist and didn't have to spend $900 for a new one. If it makes it through the first year we definitely got our moneys worth.

Now where are those ear plugs??

Another Catch Up....

 Madelyn celebrated her 10th birthday with friends at the skating rink. She requested a 50s them and dressed as a Pink Lady.

 A successful Softball season, and I helped coach. It was a lot of fun and I didn't make any girls cry, amazingly. We took second in the end of year tournament, which was a far cry from where the season began.

 Madelyn and I enjoyed the Pretty Prairie Rodeo with my mom and dad. It was a first for all of us.

 Conley and I volunteered at the annual Starkey golf tournament. We drove the beer cart. Is that kind of like putting a fox in the hen house?

 Conley and I went on a float trip down the Elk River in Noel, Mo. with our dear friend, Jacinda, and her cousins. We had an absolute blast and I cannot wait to go again.

 Madelyn's back to school swim party. Just a few of the 5th graders were there.

 Madelyn's last first day of Elementary school!!! Where has time gone?

 Enjoying a day at the Y water park. This was the first time and only time we went all summer. It was a day with few people there so we enjoyed the lazy river and slides with little waiting time.

Madelyn had a fever on the 3rd day of school, so I stayed home with her the following day until she was fever free for 24 hours. I spent her sick day mowing and painting. I need more productive sick days. 

Picture Update

 

 

Completed my 3rd Warrior Dash in KC, Mo.

 

 

 

 

 

Madelyn had her first experience mushroom hunting. She loved it, minus the ticks.

 

 

 

Madelyn, Kailyn and I completed our first Color Run. It was freezing cold but so much fun.

 

We went to Tanganika Wildlife Park with my parents, Conley and Summer to celebrate Mothers' Day.

 

 

I volunteered to help coach Madelyn's softball team and games will start in a couple of weeks.