Lots of sweat and tears!

From extracting tonsils to catfish noodling to training for a triathlon to witnessing two precious loves join their lives in our beloved Texas Hill Country, our summer has had its share of heat and tears!!!!

Here's our summer to date:
Our rainy July 4th was spent indoors watching fireworks on TV following George's surgery. Took him 10 days, but he has finally recovered and we got the thumbs-up check up last week. Hearing has fully restored and tonsils are healing on schedule!!! PRAISE!!! We celebrated our national holiday with a cookout with Mom and Dad and our dear twin friends, the Pollans. The kids loved being with A&C and adore Ms. Leah and "Mita Casey".
Can we say four helpings of trouble???

We also enjoyed our nearly-daily visits with Nana Millie and Paw Mark (our neighbors)--they keep the kids filled with cookies! We had fun on our park date with the Stelzers and A has adopted Emma as her big sister. It has been so fun to watch the kids grow up together. A&G talk about Caine constantly--and Wade, if you're reading, they can't wait to go fishing with you and Caine!!

Every year that we have lived here, my dear sweet hubby has wanted to go back to my "Pauls Valley roots" and watch the catfish noodling weigh-in. This year, we spontaneously decided to drive south and see the 80+ lbs. creatures ripped out of their pond nests by some poor souls' bare hand. I think Abigail was afraid one would eat her. Best people-watching event in the state. Anybody wanna join us next year??
These were the ones I caught, and my hotties who carried them in from my truck...ha!ha!

Two of our favorite people got married and invited George and Abigail to be in the ceremony. We felt blessed and honored to be a part of their day and we love you Mr. and Mrs. M!!

Of course Little Miss A carried her flowers and her brother's ring pillow since he didn't want to...we weren't sure if it would happen, but Mr. G walked independently down the aisle following his sister, hand in the mouth the whole time, that sweet little boy!! G&A loved being in the wedding and precious moments were created!
Daddy tries to bribe A with skittles to be in the group photo...verdict: no go.

Memories:
~G called himself the "wheel barrow" because he couldn't say ring bearer.
~After our new therapy technique of brushing, G wore his adorable seersucker suit and suede bucks without a fuss!! YAY!

~The little princess was ALL about the dress, the shoes, the "crown", and the Skittles she earned for walking down the aisle!!
~G&A made a new friend at the events, and proudly announced that Katie was their new friend and they were happy because she didn't hit them!
~When I was dressed for the ceremony, G crawled up in my lap and said "Mommy, you look beautiful!" I almost cried...
~To this day, they still ask "can we go see Miss A from Texas? Can we go to the wedding?"

My sweeties at the rehearsal dinner...don't they look so grown up?
A glimpse of the loves of my life during prayers, what a precious sight and 3 blessings from God.
Love this one: taken before the ceremony. Can you tell G's mood by the photo? He was in the process of kicking his sister.
Where our friendship began...11 years ago under the eyes of Texas. Love ya Joan!

While in Texas, G&A had tons of fun at Grammy & Grandpa's house. On our family swim, Abigail swam by herself while wearing her lifevest and George is not far behind her! G loved shooting the airplane gun, watering the birds, and watching for the deer and fox. Abigail loved playing with Barbie "Mommy" and "Abby" and "George" and the fishing pole and plastic fish.

And the latest big announcement.... George went pee-pee in the potty with Grandpa!!

So we're re-entering potty training with kiddo #2 and he's been in underwear all week. We've gone through about 6 pairs of underwear per day and he's been successful in the potty once since home... it's a start!!! Potty training boys is a whole new world.

Mental notes for next post: VBS, Abigail's tummy issues, Tye-Die Tri