A July 4th to remember

It was rushed and hot and a lot of work - but totally worth it! We hosted our first ever July 4th party at the farm (Note: actual party date was Saturday, July 3rd). We picked up the kids from Sky Ranch, drove back to Dallas to unload a week of camp stuff, let the kids rest, Grant and I loaded up and then we drove both the Pilot and the truck to the farm. 

Things kicked off around 4ish with Joel and Elizabeth arriving with 6 of their 7 kids. It was great because they have a super helpful group and two of their boys are Eagle Scouts who helped me setup! We had about 30 family and friends, and even some of our new farm neighbors, for swimming, BBQ, fireworks, and smores. We got catering from the BBQ place up the street from the farm and it was delicious. Grant and Mitch (Hunter's Dad) did the fireworks show and it was awesome! So much better than I expected. 

The only sad part of the day was that Lindsay stopped by briefly, with Becky and Baby Lucas. We had just started letting the kids do a few small fireworks and a ladybug firework unexpectedly flew towards where we were sitting and triggered a panic attack for Lindsay. We stopped the fireworks immediately. Grant and I felt horrible that she didn't feel safe, and we will be much more cautious going forward. In fact, Grant and I decided that the kids are limited to sparklers and the Dad's can do the bigger fireworks for everyone to enjoy.

We cleaned after the fireworks and finally rolled into home around 1am, I think. It was kind of a blur at that point. Grant and I felt like it was an overall success and we are hopeful to make it a tradition. 

And then, on Sunday morning, I heard someone come in our back door. I walked out in my robe and it was COURTNEY JOYCE! What?!?!? She and Eddie had their travel plans change when it was so hot in Seattle that the dogs couldn't safely fly there. So they drove straight to Dallas. I was so surprised. Everyone thought someone else had told me about the change in plans. But nope. The timing worked out great though because I was off on Monday so I got to spend more time with them. We ate delicious brisket omelets made by Grant, did an Ikea run, watched fireworks from the top of the Snider Plaza parking garage, played Cards Against Humanity Family Edition (Papa was the winner!), went to the farm on Monday and let the dogs and the kids run around, and got Courtney and Eddie loaded up for the big move to Athens. It was incredible to be able to spend time with Courtney and Eddie.

Gonna be pretty hard to beat this next year, but I bet we try!

Happy 43rd Erin

My birthday weekend was unexpectedly delightful! Not that I thought it would be crummy, it is just that it ended up being really special in an unplanned type of way. Cadie was at Mo Ranch with DD, Ranger went to the farm with Big John after picking up Big John's newest purchase for the farm - an RV, which left Grant and I with Mr. Coltito. Joy was watching our neighbor's kids while our neighbor was on a work trip. So, Colton was able to stay with Joy and our neighbors Friday evening and Grant and I went and got massages - so wonderful. Then, on Saturday morning we took Colton to the Dallas Farmer's market and had a great time exploring, eating lunch in the pavilion, and buying new outdoor plants for the pots and beds. 

The cherry on top was a fun experience eating dinner on Sunday evening at Monarch with Mary and Austin Haye. We went all out with drinks, appetizers, and dessert. We had a booth by the window looking out over downtown. The food was ok, the experience was memorable, and the company was wonderful. I felt so special. 

I also got some fun surprises from friends and family including cookies and flowers from my team at work, a "flower" garden art piece made by my Mom out of colorful plates and dishes; and incredible stained glass art from Cadie. It is a complementary sunrise and moonrise set that she made at Mo Ranch. 

Riviera Maya - While the kids are away the parents play!

Our amazing friends, Courtnye and Isaac, texted us earlier this summer and said, "We are headed to Mexico, wanna come?" Of course, we texted a "YES" immediately. We met them at Hotel Unico Riviera Maya and had an amazing time. I was only sad we couldn't stay longer! 

We dropped the kids off at camp on Sunday, worked on the farm sunday evening spreading sand to make a "beach", flew out on an 8:30am Monday flight, spent the week in Mexico, flew back Friday, and picked the kids up at 8am Saturday morning. 

The resort, Unico, was even better than I expected. I took a bath every evening on the balcony, we ordered lots room service, the restaurants were delicious, I loved the mixology drink menus and I tried a different cocktail every day, and we had lots of laughs with our friends. 

Grant and I dived in the cenotes on Tuesday and they were incredible. It was our first time to experience the halocline and it felt like flying! On Wednesday we took the ferry to Cozumel and even though the weather was a bit rainy, we didn't get drenched and we enjoyed multiple stops for food and drinks as we drove a Jeep around the island. Courtnye got sea sick on the ferry on the ride home, but she was a trooper. On Thursday we got our COVID test (needed to return home) and then hung out at the pool. Friday, back to reality!

There was some sisters at the resort that were stunning. Courtnye talked with them on Tuesday and found out they were Victoria's Secret models. They have big instagram followings and the resort offered them a free trip if they would post about it throughout their stay. Then, on Wednesday they were sitting right beside me at dinner and filming the table-side Mexican coffee dinner finale. I was the only one at the table and I knew I would be on their Instagram stories! I tried to smile non-awkwardly, not sure I succeeded, so that I wouldn't be caught shoveling chips into my mouth! Check me in the purple in the background! I am happy to sign autographs.

Colton at Sky Ranch

Colton was in Sky 1 in Cabin 4-Score. Even though he didn't ever get in the lake, it sounds like he had a great week. His friend from UP, Thomas, was in his cabin.

We were proud of Colton because a boy in his cabin ran out of money and he was stealing from the gift shop. When Colton ran out of money, the other little boy asked Colton to be a "thief" with him. Colton told his counselor and they found out that the boy had stolen quite a few things. We were proud of Colton for not giving in to peer pressure and for doing the right thing.

His award says, "Dependable: Colton, It was so awesome to have you be in our cabin. We had so much fun and it was great to see the dependable person that you are. We as counselors could always count on you to listen to us and to do the right thing. You have a unique quality of trusthworthiness that will be so useful in the Kingdom of God. Keep growing and learning more." ~ Jared Pandell, Cameron Swanzy, Dylan Boyd

When we picked the kids up from camp, we were so excited to see that we are now famous! Our picture from the family, holiday camp is on a big poster hanging up in the Legacy Center!

Once we got home from Sky Ranch, the kids were all up in each other's business. So cute.

Jack Ranger at Sky Ranch

Jack Ranger was in Sky 2 in Chief Jo Lo cabin. Ranger said he enjoyed laser tag and his favorite night event was talent show. 

His certificate says, "Reverence Award - Ranger, It was such a pleasure to have you in Jolo this week. It is clear that you love and respect the Lord with all your heart. Great Job this week! Romans 12:2, Proverbs 23:17, I Peter 5:5" ~ Christian, Cade, & Peyton

This was cousin Parker's first year at Sky Ranch. Ranger and Parker had the same meal time and Parker told Ranger that there was a kid in his cabin that was teasing him, hurting him, and messing with his stuff. On carnival night, Ranger saw the kid Parker had been talking to him about punch and push Parker. Ranger went to Parker's counselors and told them what he had seen and also what Parker had told him. When the counselors did not address the situation, Ranger then went to a manager who talked with the kid who was being mean and called his parents to talk about sending him home, he also talked to the other kid about what he had done and made him apologize. We were so proud of Ranger for protecting his cousin.

Cadie at Sky Ranch

Cadie was in Sky 3 in Parks Hall. She had her best year at Sky Ranch yet! She loved her counselors, friends, and bunk (bottom in the corner!). She has even been in a text chain with her friends since camp. 

I heard lots of camp stories including early morning chants outside boys cabins to wake them up early, chatting with her bunk mate and neighbors during regroup time, pretending to be a cow to avoid being captured during mission impossible, and crying during the last night camp fire. So proud of my baby girl for jumping in, making friends, and having fun.

Her certificate says, "Livin' Out Loud - Cadie, wow it has been an absolute joy to get to know you and your sweet self this week in Parks Hall! We decided to give you the livin' out loud award because of the way you truly live out God's truth in your life. You show others what it looks like to put on Christ-like characteristics through the way you are so kind, encouraging, and loving to those around you. It is clear you seek God in all you do and want to learn more about his word. We love you and are so proud of you! James 1:23-25" ~ Jenna, Laundry, Nat, Olivia