Another fun weekend

We have had so much fun this summer. We have either been on the go, or we've had people visiting us. Since my last post, it hasn't changed.

After our yearbook reunion, we went to Great Wolf Lodge for a night. We had a blast. The kids loved the water and all they offer there. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures (I was wet of course). But it was fun.

Then a few days after that excursion, Scott Prather and a few of his youth group came to town. He had 7 teens and his son with him. Leland and I joined them on Monday night for the Rangers game and then they all went to Six Flags the next day. We enjoyed our visit with Scott and the kids enjoyed playing with Will.

At the same time, our kids were participating in VBS at Cedar Hill where our friend Donna attends church. That congregation goes all out, so the kids really enjoyed it. They learned about Abraham, David, Jesus birth & Jesus death. It was a good week for them.

Then Leland headed to College Station to be a presenter at a journalism workshop. Late Friday afternoon, I decided we should go join him (he had a hotel room to himself). The kids and I had a great weekend. Saturday we drove to Brenham and met my brother and his family there. We let the kids play at a park before eating at a local sandwich shop/ice cream parlor. Then we traveled back to College Station to try out the Children's Museum. We stayed 2 1/2 hours! It was a hands-on museum that had many different stations. We went to Fazolis for supper (I so miss that place) and Ryland said, "What a great day we've had." :) On Sunday we swam for a while in the morning and then went to meet and visit with one of my father-in-law's friends. The kids enjoyed playing with their granddaughters toys so it was a nice break. We then went to The Bounce - a place full of bounce houses. Of course, the kids had a blast. Reese was a little unsure at first, but with Ryland's help, she began having fun also. We saw Leland briefly before heading back home. It was a very fun weekend.

So now, I have a deadline Friday so I'll be working lots this week. It will be nice to slow down for bit before we go again. So on to the pictures.

Cousins: Reese, Keynan, Parker, Ryland, Raylee

The past 3 weeks

As always, I'm way busy and have to do a massive post to catch up. So if you have the time, read along.

On June 23 we began our trip to New Mexico. We had good travels to Artesia. Roscoe even traveled well. We stopped in Big Spring to have a snack with our good friend Max Ann then we arrived at my in-laws in time for supper that evening (an 8 1/2 hr ride). The next day we headed up to Ruidoso to go to Mountain View Christian Camp (a 2 hr ride). We love being at camp. On our long drive there we began to question how much longer we can do this. But as soon as we get there we remember that the drive is worth it. We enjoy camp so much. Leland has been involved with this camp since 1995 and I joined in when I started hanging out with him. We used to work it all summer, but after baby #2, we decided 1 week is plenty for us. Our kids love being at camp. The weather was wonderful this year - in the mid-70s and rainy most days. It was great.

We began with counselor training. MVCC has a great group of counselors this year. They immediately were having so much fun together. We enjoyed getting to know all of them a little better before the first session began.

On that Friday was Ryland's 7th birthday. He loves having his birthday's at camp. All but his 5th have been at camp (he was very disappointed that year). My parents were able to get away from Camp Blue Haven for a night to come and join us. We all (camp staff included) went to the Flying J Ranch that evening. The kids always enjoy an evening there. The girls enjoyed taking pony rides and Ryland got to shoot a pistol. During the show they always announce weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc so Ryland was super excited when they announced that it was his birthday. It was a great day of celebrating Ryland.

The kids watching the gunfight show with PaPa.

Camp was great as always. Leland was the director of 1st session this year. He also had to be a teacher (we ended up one short) and was the activity director. I think this was the most exhausting session he's ever done. We had a great group of teachers and campers though. Leland's mom and grandmother were able to come for the week so that made my job easier. I didn't have to think as a mom all week, I knew my kids were taken care of and of course, the kids really enjoyed the Grammy & Granny time. I had a good week in the kitchen cooking for 100 people. I always enjoy cooking at camp.

During counselor training there were 8 deer that visited every morning. Of course they quit coming aroung once the campers all arrived.

My adorable boys.

Ryland and his camp buddies. They had so much fun all week long.

The pre-campers enjoying a movie. This isn't even all of them.

Granny, Kyler, Raylee, Reese.

Leland & Kyler. Kyler is Leland's cousin's son. It was his first time at camp. He had a great time.

Ryland and his buddy on water war day.

Camp ended on Friday, July 3. We had lots to clean and take care of, so we stayed one more night. The kids and I walked down to the creek area for one last time enjoying the cool air.

Saturday, July 4 we went back to Artesia. Several of my mother-in-law's family have made a tradition of going there for the best fireworks show I've ever seen. We always enjoy our time there with everyone.

The girls had spa time getting their nails painted. All we Mallett women ended up with red, silver & blue toenails.

Getting ready for the fireworks.

The one-eyed frog the kids found.

We then began our trek back home on Monday. We spent Monday night in Big Spring. I had to go to the office for a few hours for some work, so we stayed with our friends Ben & Max Ann. We enjoyed hamburgers and swimming that evening. Tuesday morning we had breakfast at our friends Scott & Lauren's house before heading home. We arrived home around 5 and had everything unpacked and put away before bedtime.

Of course we didn't get much of a break. Friday, my brothers and their families arrived in town. Our yearbook adviser from high school now works at Taylor Publishing in Dallas. Some of the ex-staffers had planned a surprise reunion. So we gave her a great surprise at her office. We enjoyed eating and visiting at Humperdinks in Irving. Saturday we all met my mom's sister, Donna, in Frisco for lunch. Mitch, Katie, & Jacey had to head home after that, but the rest of us went to Donna's house for kid naps and hanging out. We then joined the yearbook bunch again at Marilyn's house in Coppell before heading to Babe's chicken in Carrollton for supper. We finally arrived back home sometime before 10. It was a very long day, but very enjoyable seeing so many friends and family. Tyler, Kelly, Keynan, & Parker joined us for church this morning before heading back to Houston.

A very surprised yearbook advisor.

Her ex-students who came for the reunion.

This picture should appear in our hometown paper soon.

Climbing on yearbook boxes. That's what our kids know.

The Wiggains (and Mallett) table with Marilyn.

My brother's & I with Marilyn. We were all 3 editors of our yearbooks.

Cousins

The Nelson girls (and their families) joined us at Babe's Chicken.

We had a cake for Marilyn so the restaurant had her do the chicken dance.

So the last 3 weeks have been very full and very fun. We've got plenty more keeping us busy the next 5 weeks before Leland reports to school. I'll have more to share soon. Stay tuned...