Cowboy boots go with anything

signs of the times

Sticky hands and elbows, rainbow colored mustaches and beards--yay! Popcicle season is here!!!  We have had this tradtion for many summers...In those final moments of sun, between dinner and bedtime, when the kids are slightly restless but not ready for restful slumber we do what Texans do best, front porch sittin'! The family gathers with popcicles in hand and sit and enjoy the cooling down of the day and the final moments of the sun before it sets.....Then we take the rainbow colored sticky boys in for a bath, brushing of teeth, books, prayers and bed!

This is how we roll...

Ahhh, the sweet smell of homemade cinnamon rolls!  This recipe was from a friend and her source obtained it through quite sneaky ways, but none the less, I have no guilt making them!!  They are heavenly!!  If you want the recipe -email me, I dare not post it publicly....just in case it was a propietary recipe.... reagardless, the best homemade cinnamon rolls evvvver!

What makes these even better is my trusty side kick who has mad cinnamon rolling skills!!

Memorial Day

It was true Americana at its finest as we sat outside in the beautiful Texas contry side with Cicadas chirping, the smell of sunscreen & bbq, and the sound of early american rock n'roll...In deed we felt very grateful to be enjoying such a wonderful day in such a wonderful country!  It is because of the many men and women who faught for this country that we can enjoy this kind of life today!  It was their moral courage and commitment to families and nation that fueled their strength. 

We had a wonderful time at the Gardiner homestead.  Softball, swimming, zipline, laughs, and good food, LOTS.OF.GOOD. FOOD!....(you see the Williams and the Gardiners dont mess around when it comes to food!)

This is a walking stick that is the size of my four arm...not sure something that size should still be considered an insect..

A grass hopper the size of my fist....

The playhouse

the horse swing

 

Ren is crazy and loves to jump off the rock ledge

Rylan's favorite question is "Do I look cool?"  and as you can tell, he does!

The big slide with Dad....

The handoff

The catch

Yay!! We did it!!

This is the swim competition...Yes we had swimming races...I know it looks like they are doing syncronised swimmin...but for the record it was actually a tie! 

 After a long day of play, time to chill in the theater for a movie....

My cute little garden bugs!

How cute are these two little ones?  They certainly like dirt and plants! It is in their blood...they get it from both sides of the family...They LOVE to be outside in the mud or sand chasing bugs and playing in the yard and garden.  The other day I went to wash Rens hands and his fist was closed so tight and he would not open it... I finally pried his fingers open so I could scrub those dirty paws and there was a rolly pollie!  I have also found snails in the wash (yes, at the end of the wash cycle) and "families" of rolly pollies sitting on side tables or other random spots. At least it is just bugs so far!

 I guess I complained long enough about the side yard that need some work and Russ went the extra mile and laid down limestone slabs and built an awesome sandbox for the boys!  Yes, they are in their pj's...they cant wait to get outside!  So voila! What was once an eye sore side yard is now a great play place for the boys and home to a wonderful sandbox!!  Sandboxes never get old and are just great for a little boy's soul!! Perhaps that is why Zen Gardens have lasted through the ages and have such therapeutic value!