Harrison Family Lake Weekend

We had our first lake weekend of the summer this past weekend. It was a great way to kick it all off with just a quiet immediate Harrison family gathering. It is not often that it is just the eight of us are down there because we love having as many family and friends down as possible but, it was a fun weekend of quality time.
 Gram bought Kinley some birthday cake ice cream that she requested and it was a hit with both kiddos.

   

It was a little exciting Saturday morning when Ben and Alex discovered a snake down below our property close to the water and busted out their man-skills and chopped it in half with an axe and a shovel. Since me and the kids were watching from the porch, I can't tell you for certain who make the kill strike but, if you ask each of them you will get a different story...boys:) Apparently it was a 'banded water snake' and not poisonous...but, it was still terrifying.

   

the axe next to the snake for scale...

   

Even thought it was a little chilly in the shade still, the sun was warm and beautiful and we spent saturday in the sand and out on the dock.

   

Most of Saturday we spent outside near the porch where the boys were smoking ribs.

   

Shout out to Silent Night Outdoors who reps these awesome Icehole coolers. Ben can get you one if you want :)

   

 Saturday night was filled with eating ribs, playing pinochle games, and a family Bob Marley dance party.

   

And what dance party doesn't end with spraying uncle alex in the face with silly string!?

   

I think I will be at the lake every weekend except for one this May so there are many more lake weekend pics to come.

Lately...

Here are a few things we have been doing lately....

Last weekend we went on Saturday night to the Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival with Pops, Gram, Mendy & Alex. We ate dinner, listened to some music, and walked around a little. There was a big kids area set up but, we were too late and missed most of it but face painting was still open and Ty had his first face paint experience.

As fast as she could that sweet girl drew a little green snake on his cheek.

 And Kinley wanted a butterfly face.

Ty got really sick with a virus for about a week. He had a really high fever like 103 for a few days and then got a rash after that for a couple more days. Poor baby...he was such a trooper through it all. He laid on me for days, just wanting to cuddle. He was so, so sweet though. Whenever I would even get my phone out he would say "cheese" like he wanted me to take his picture.

But he really felt like this...

We stayed in and had family movie night to watch Shrek one night and it was a hit all around.

Kinley got to go with Honey one day to visit Momma Gay and Pepa. They had a great time looking at the tomato plants in Momma Gay's garden and watched Pepa (with a magnifying glass) put out some ant killer when she saw and ant pile.

Once Ty's fever broke, and before the rash, we took a trip to Grapevine Mills with Mendy, and had lunch, shopped a little and rode the carousel and some other rides.

Oh...and while we were there, Ben saved a kid from choking by performing the Heimlich on him. I didn't see it...but, he was like hero of the day as people were passing him by. He said as soon as it was over and he knew the little boy would be ok, he prayed to God that he would never have to do that again! 

Kinley was a total trooper while Ty was sick. She played in the backyard, blew some bubbles like a diva, went to the grocery store with me and was rewarded with the little ride at Walmart...pretty sad.

So after Saturday we had a little girls time and we went for a pedicure with Honey and did some shopping just as girls.

Oh, and for the past two weeks I have been getting up in the mornings a few times a week to do Camp Gladiator at 5 am. Leslie talked me into it. I am trying to see it as the new normal to go to bed early and get up at 4:45 three days a week. We workout in a Hobby Lobby parking lot but, its weird to see it while completely dark outside.

This weekend we are going to the lake with the Harrison family.  Can't wait for summer sunshine and the lake!

Trip to the Ranch

This past weekend we hopped in the car with mom and dad and took a last minute trip to visit Inie and Bull at the Ranch.

These kids were excited to go see their great-grandparents and some cows.

It was relaxing to hang out and spend time together...and of course eat Inie's good cooking!

 

Kinley and Inie had such a fun time together. They played with Inie's dog together, visited her pond, played with dolls and Kinley insisted that Inie sit next to her in the car at all times.We had a great time exploring the Ranch and the tractors, helping Boss fix tractors, seeing the cows and relaxing in Bull's office.

The land was so beautiful and green with wildflowers everywhere. Made for some pretty pictures of this boy.

We got to take the Ranger down to the river bank and had a little walk on the beach with Boss.  Ty loved the ride and open air but, Kinley did not and was counting down the seconds till she could get back in the truck with Inie.

Of course we had to go have some lunch at the Beer Joint. The beer joint is basically just a gas station that makes amazing burgers.

 

We had such a fun time and can't wait to go back and visit again!