The Last Hurrah!

The weekend before we started our homeschooling adventure, we took a family "camping" trip to beautiful Bastrop State Park. We didn't actually tent camp in the 104 degree F heat...we're not THAT crazy! We did stay in a cozy, sandstone and pine cabin built by the CCC in 1935. My granddaddy was part of the CCC crew that built the buildings in the park, so when we hiked around the park, there was awe about it all to me as I wondered if he worked on the very cabin we were sleeping in.Despite the heat, we cooked out on the campfire...hotdogs, hamburgers, corn-on-the-cob, new potatoes, summer squash, and even mushrooms (Olivia's request)! Oh! I almost forgot about the s'mores! The chocolate bars were melted before they even touched the toasted marshmallows, but good and messy as expected.We hiked one morning and went looking for a geocache. After a couple of hours bushwacking, we aborted our quest and headed back for the picnic area. A hiker came up as we were taking our break, and it turned out he had been lost for several hours, and the park rangers were looking for him. We called the rangers and shared some oranges with him, while he waited for his wife to come pick him up. Just part of the adventure! :)

Saturday afternoon, we stayed in the park's swimming pool and ate ice cream. Now, that's what I call camping! :) Before heading home on Sunday, we went fishing, and although we didn't catch anything the girls enjoyed casting and reeling in.
All in all it was a great trip and an awesome way to spend the weekend together before we buckle down into schooling.

A Trip to Bountiful

One of the weekends before school started back up, we took the girls and went to see my dad and his wife. The girls love going to the "country" and feel right at home at Granddaddy and Granny Gigi's house. Our visit came at a good time because a couple of days before, their dog of 13 years passed away. The girls had lots if hugs and "sugar" to give, which I hope eased some of Granddaddy and Granny's heartache.

While visiting, we made a trip to the Wharton County Historical Museum. The museum now resides in the former home of Marshall and Lillie Johnson, which I had never been to even though I was raised in Wharton. There were exhibits on the Native Americans who once lived in the region, Academy Award winning screenwriter and playwright, Horton Foote, former news anchor Dan Rather, the Texasgulf Sulfur Company, the history of Wharton County Junior College, and the interesting animal collection of Marshall Johnson.

When we came back to East Bernard, Aunt Gatha came by and brought a Slip-n-Slide and sidewalk chalk for the girls to play with. They had a blast!


Happy Birthday, Granddaddy!
P.S. If you have never seen the movie *The Trip to Bountiful* (adapted from Horton Foote's TV play), it's definitely worth checking out!

Summertime

Summertime...oh how I wish you would never end!

Camp Invention

Olivia went to a week long creativity camp called Camp Invention this summer. She and her fellow campers brought recyclable materials with them and used them to create new inventions. They also brought an electronic item which they took apart to make something new. Olivia went to GoodWill and bought a flight controller for a video game, she took this apart and added pieces to it to make an earthquake/vibration detector that really works! Olivia is always coming up with inventions and had so much fun having the time and materials to put her creativity to work. If possible, she would love to do this camp again next year.

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

We hope you have a special 7th birthday, Olivia. Your smile is as big as your heart. We love you and no matter how old you are, you'll always be my Baby Cakes. :)

Happy Father's Day!

To all the dads, grandfathers, godfathers, stepdads, uncles, and "like a dad"s out there, we are wishing you a Happy Father's Day.

To my own dad, I want to thank you for always being there to listen and share your advice. Even when you were busy, you always made time for me and still do. Your love, support, and encouragement helped me to feel good about myself and worthy of love. I am forever grateful and could not have had a better father. God blessed me by making me your child. I love you and wish you a happy father's day.

Happy Father's Day, Brian!

The girls are so lucky to have you for their daddy.
Thank you for being such a good father to them.