PK

We have had this trip planned for months and I was hoping I wouldn't have to miss it. My family grew up going to the lake. We went almost every weekend and we ALWAYS spent the 4th at my great uncle's lake house. He sold the lake house about 5 years ago and we've missed it BIG TIME! Since then my family has still gotten together on the 4th but it's been at a different place every year. This year they rented 'cabins' aka trailors at Sky Camp on Possum Kingdom. We didn't rent one because you couldn't take dogs. At the time, we still had Rosco and he couldn't stay home alone since he had to have pills twice a day. We had planned on going for the day!

Luckily my medicine was working decent at the time. I knew if I felt bad I could go to bed and my mom would help Trent. We left early on Sunday morning and headed to the lake. We were there by around 10am. This was Madison's 2nd trip to the lake and Cooper's 1st. I was nervous about how they would do. Until this point, Madison only wanted to swim with a death grip around your neck (if she can't reach) and Cooper wasn't interested in being in the water at all.

Love this one!

We had gotten them both puddle jumpers. My niece and nephew have them and they seemed to work great. They are much better than regular floaties. They also can be used as a life jacket too so that was great. We felt like they would get a lot more use out of these than regular life jackets.

She was fine playing on the dock for awhile. She wasn't sure about getting in.


He wasn't sure about this sea doo ride either....until they started going fast and then he loved it.

It wasn't 5 minutes and Madison was in the lake swimming with mom AND NOT FREAKING OUT. It's amazing what they'll do when you're not around. They loved playing in this relaxation station. It was like a mini pool.





Before long BOTH kids were swimming around the lake. I guess having a lot of people (especially grandparents) in the water made a huge difference. I was so proud of both of them.



It was so nice to have some land to go sit on and let the kids run around on when they needed a break from the water. Although, we only spent about 15 minutes up here all day.


We took a LONG boat ride to Hell's Gate that afternoon. Trent had never seen it.

before long Cooper was OUT! He slept most of the way there and didn't wake up until we stopped to jump in the water before heading home.

Then he wanted to drive with Pa.



She started to get super sleepy. This was after 3 hours on the boat.

After our long boat trip we went up to Mom's cabin and had brisket, ribs and chicken that Ron had smoked. It was AMAZING as always. After dinner Madison, Nana and I all went on a sea doo ride before we packed up and headed home. Thankfully, I made it all day. I started feeling really crummy right before we left but I was thankful I got to enjoy a fun day with my family. (I paid for it though. I have been really sick since that day )




It was always a tradition for our family to take a picture on the 4th. Here is our picture from this year. We always look so trashy but it's fun to look back from year to year. They give us a good laugh.

L.O.V.E

I love that they love each other so much!

sweet friends

Cooper loves to share his food with Jack despite us telling him not to share!
I walked into the kitchen to find him sharing his yogurt smoothie with him. Cooper was dipping his finger into his smoothie and then letting Jack lick his finger.
No wonder Jack follows him around everywhere he goes...

Going Bonkers Party

When we started talking about where to have Madison's 4th birthday Going Bonkers immediately came up! This is where she wanted to have it, even though it's where she had it last year. I tried talking her into a gymnastics place or a Pump It Up but she wanted this one. So that's where we went!
This was the first year she invited friends. She has so many cousins that in the past 3 years we've only had the cousins. This year we invited our neighbors, the girls from her class and another friend. We had a great turn out. I think everyone got to come but one little girl.

Madison had so much fun playing with all of her friends. She was super sweaty by the time we did presents and cupcakes. She had also worn herself out so she was not the most pleasant child. You'll see in pictures. It doesn't help that all the attention was on her. She does not like that.

Last year I played with her a long time. This year I was only able to make one trip. I was not feeling 100%.

Madison, Abby, Madison, Laken, Reese, Cooper, Reid, Ethan
Drew, Brooklyn, Sydney & Sydney's sister
(Kailyn, Eli & Ross were not in the picture)

so shy

she was so tired she didn't even eat her cupcake

this guy sure enjoyed his

It's hard to get a family picture these days!

We survived the party (or should I say I survived) and it turned out great. After the party was over we went to lunch with both my parents, my brothers, Joan and Grandmom. Then we came back home and Mom and Ron let Trent and I take a nap while they watched the kids and mom cleaned the house! It was WONDERFUL!

Can't believe I have a 4 year old

Our baby girl is 4!!!

I simply CAN NOT believe I have a 4 year old! It seems like only yesterday I was pregnant with her. I didn't think I could love her more than the day she was born but I love her more and more each day. She has such a kind, loving heart! We are so thankful we were blessed with such a sweet, smart, loving little girl.

Her birthday was on a Tuesday and her party wasn't until that next Saturday! That morning when she woke up she came out and said "my birthday cake isn't out". It's so hard making a 4 year old understand the difference between your real birthday and your birthday party with friends. I told her we could go get ice cream later for her birthday. She was more than ok with that.
My original plan was to get her a new comforter for her birthday because hers has fallen apart in the washing machine. Other things put that on hold at the last minute and I didn't have time to go get her anything. I decided we would let her go to the store and pick out some things that she wanted. I think she really enjoyed it! Before we went to the store we let her pick where she wanted to eat lunch. She picked Bueno! Then we headed to the store...with lots of excitement and giggling.
She picked out a Justin Bieber barbie that sings (so annoyed with that in the first 5 minutes), a jump rope, a baby car seat and a barbie pool set. She had so much fun picking out her toys.

After nap time we went to the pool, another request from the birthday girl. This was our first trip all summer!! #1 because I have only been out of school 4 days and 2 of those we were in Sherman. #2 I haven't been feeling well.


Then that night after dinner we went to Braums. Madison's choice. She LOVES their chocolate ice cream. She even shared it with her brother! She's such a sweet big sister. :)


Overall I think she had a pretty good birthday--lunch at one of her favorite places, trip to buy some new toys, swimming and ice cream! Next up is the big party at Going Bonkers! :/