Summer has come and gone!

Wow summer has come and gone in a flash. The first two weeks didn't work out just as we had originally planned. Avery had a post surgery complication that earned her a night in the hospital and a longer recovery than originally expected. Once she was all clear we kicked off our summer of fun with our trip to Shreveport for Jambalaya Jubilee. This was Parker's first year to be grouped with the older kids and he loved it. As always Avery and Jackson had a total blast and acted as if it was a complete annoyance to have to check in with us. We spent the long weekend socializing and learning with other families who have children suffering from a rheumatic disease. At the kids request we stopped at the gator feeding farm on our way home. It is still interesting to be a mother of boys and activities like this remind me that growing up in a house of girls was way different. We had a few days at home to unpack, wash clothes, and repack for our next vacation. Due to the lack of rain we decided to change our plans from the Frio to several days at Lake McQueeney. We spent the time boating and swimming and Jack even tried to wakeboard. After a fantastic day honoring the wonderful fathers we are all blessed to have we packed the car once again and headed to Galveston. It was such a joy to return to a long standing tradition followed every summer of my childhood. Aunt Dorothy, Lauren, Charlie, Connor, Amanda, her girls, Mom, and me and the kids had a great time despite all the sea weed. I think the kids would rate the most fun a toss up between feeding the seagulls and catching sand crabs. Although we all missed Mimi and Paw-Paw's presence it was a blast to have the time together with all the cousins and the many kids we have added to the family in the past few years. We returned to Austin for summer camps and vacation bible school and added a last min. trip to the Valley to visit Mom and Dad on their home turf. It is so special to see how much love is shared between my kids and their grandparents, and makes me feel blessed to know they will forever hold the memories created. We got home just in time for back to school haircuts, which was huge in itself. Parker cut a smidge off the ends and Avery, my precious long haired princess, cut 12 inches to donate to locks of love. She now looks sassier and more grown up than ever. It seems like just yesterday we were all pouring over our calendars making plans for the summer and now it is all over. This summer was a great one filled with lots of fun and sun. We are so thankful to have the family we have and we will have the memories and pictures created forever.