Cousin Camp 2021

By Nicki Gullickson

In June the Walsh kids flew (without parents) to Georgia for the 1st Annual Cousin Camp. They joined their cousins, Samuel and Josiah, and their grandparents, Nina and Papa, for a trip to the North Carolina mountains.

We stayed at Hampton Glen in Sapphire, NC. We swam (lots), played mini golf, painted t-shirts, spent too much money on arcade games, hiked to waterfalls, 

and explored the creek behind our condo. 

Everyone’s favorite day was when Uncle Nathan and Aunt B took us to Lake Glenville for a day of boating, tubing and more exploration.

It was a really good week including back rubs and time alone with the kids.

See you in 2022 God willing. 😁

Happy Father's Day

The Father's Day celebrations kicked off last Saturday evening with Hibachi dinner. Parker spent the night and it was fun having him along for the ride. On Sunday we celebrated at home in the morning and then headed to Lavon Lake for a boat day with the Gray family. Grant got a pink button down shirt from Cadie, swim trunks from Colton, and Cards against Humanity - Family Edition from Jack Ranger. Jack Ranger, Colton, Grant, and I played the game this past week and the boys were giggling so much. 

The weather on the boat day was perfect. The boys loved wrestling each other on the lily pad and the girls pretty much just floated around and talked about their favorite books. We wrapped up the evening with Mexican food at the Gray's house. Colton was pretty excited to find a live mouse swimming in the Gray's pool that we helped him catch in a net. He begged to keep it for the rest of the evening, but we finally let it go right before we left. 

We love you Grant! Thank you for the snuggles, laughs, songs, steak, and for fixing all the broken things. 

Spring Pics

Lots of miscellaneous pics from the Spring. Grant and I were fully vaccinated and it was wonderful to starting getting fully out and about again. We did a girls afternoon at Beading Dreams with Cadie, Macy, and Eisley; Monster Truck Rally with Dan and Luke; playing at parks with friends; hanging with Nina and Papa; going on family bike rides; Cadie and I joined the Heart of Dallas Charity League; Colton continued to dress like Domino the Dog; I rode Vonlane to Houston for a girls weekend with Lindsey; nanny Joy graduated from Christ for the Nations; and we enjoyed lots of time outside around the backyard firepit. Summer, here we come!

Final Day of School 4th Grade Clap-out

The last day of school the 4th graders do a "clap-out" with all the kids and parents. Then, they head to an all-class pool-party at the UP pool. Of course, JR and Hunter led their class. I can't believe we will have two kids at MIS next year! 

At UP, Ranger has been known to all on a first-name basis. I can just walk into the front office and let them know I am there for "Ranger" and that is all I need to say. No last name required. He is friends with everyone, makes great grades, and has made the most of his time there. He rides his bike to friends houses and has had many pick-up football games in the UP field. He is smart, funny, and still fine with snuggling mom. He is amazing and I am so thankful for him and can't wait to see what his future holds.

Jack Ranger Graduation Ceremony

Grant may or may have gotten the stink eye from Mrs. Judd for dancing on the back row during the ceremony while the kids sang "Best Day of my Life" - lol. Ranger was NOT happy about having to wear a polo. When we walked into the building, his good friend Hunter was sitting there not looking happy at all and immediately said, "Look at what my parents made me wear." Ranger sat right now and they commiserated in their discomfort and frustration. Ranger changed immediately after the ceremony. 

Two funny graduation evening stories. #1 - The ceremony was on Tuesday, May 25th which is 1/2 price burger night at Goff's. We went there as a family before the ceremony. But then, after the ceremony we thought it would be nice to go to dinner with the grandparents so we went to Goff's AGAIN. All the Walsh boys ate burgers for both trips.

#2 - The "priviledge" of handing out the certificates was an item at the UP fundraiser silent auction that sold for quite a bit of money. I had asked Ranger if he wanted me to bid on it, and he said, definitely not. When the class was going through rehearsal, Miles was sitting by Ranger and apparently said something like, "I feel sorry for whoever has to hand out those certificates." Then, Mrs. Chancey said that Miles had won the auction to pass out the certificates and he was like, "what?!?!". Ranger said it was so funny.

There was a slide show during the presentation with pics from throughout the kids time at UP. The final two pics are the of Jack Ranger that we submitted. His pictures got the biggest laughs of the evening.

Congrats Jack Ranger! We are so proud of you.

Carpool Parade

The 4th grade graduation car parade was so much more fun than I expected. The cars were hilarious with huge floats tied on top, bubble machines, and craziness and the parade through the neighborhood had so many folks waving. We had our GEM with Ranger, Cooper (and his Mom Hailey), and Jaxon. Grant was playing fun tunes and the rain held off until right after the Kona Ice Party in Curtis Park. I love working from home and getting to participate in these types of events more easily.