Neal Turns 40!

Do you know how crazy it is to plan your kids' birthday parties, your husband's surprise birthday party, and a game night to throw him off the surprise birthday party all within about a month's time? So stressful, so fun, so thankful for all that helped!

Kira and David came in to celebrate with Neal. Everything else was behind the scenes but we had the help of Rudy and Becky, my friends, Kira and David, and Neal's friend, Tyler, to help pull it off. Rudy took Neal to the dump and hardware store to fix a wall in the garage. In the meantime, David acted as though he had online work to complete (but didn't so was so bored), and Keri said she was decorating for a youth event at the church that morning. As soon as he left we headed over to the church to meet guest and told the kids what was up.

To our surprise, as if a surprise party wasn't enough, we had a conflict in scheduling, because a baptism was to take place. With a lot of patience on both parties part, we were able to keep the environment reverent during the ordinance and they helped put back a few tables when they were done. Our rowdy Minute to Win It games did not disturb them during any part, thanks to sound construction and solid walls and doors.

When Rudy texted they were close I called saying that the men's group had not done there part in setting up chairs and tables for the youth activity. Neal immediately called another men's leader, Donovan, who was standing right next to me and played his part well. So Neal came to the church like the everyday hero he is to see what he could do and SURPRISE!

We played our games, took group photos during the baptism ordinance, and later finished with pizza and Neal's preferred dessert--pie!  Thanks for all the help friends and family!

Neal later returned home to be greeted by a new grill and opened a few more presents a couple days later we made him a dessert of his choice Reese's peanut butter cup cheesecake. Happy birthday love! Can't wait to enjoy the next 40 with you!

Neal, Knudsens - Barbara in bathroom, Kira, David in bathroom,  Beckey, Keri, Rudy, Hardcastles, Bones, Sterrets, Garvins, Lindemans, Flemmings, Huffs, Hancocks, and Kenthworthys.

Yes, we know it's his party. We helped!

Thanks, Kira, for the awesome candles!

Summer Service Project: Salvation Army Lunch Bags

Our family wanted to do some good this summer so we discussed some ideas and decided to get our friends and community involved in the fun. Our goal was to decorate 100 lunch sacks and put uplifting messages in each for some of the recipients that leave the homeless shelter for the day with a sack lunch.  We used an online sign up and invited people into our home to put their artistic skills to work. We had quite a few families show and a couple we did not know. Others who could not make it dropped off their sacks later. In all we decorated well over 125 sacks. The kids and I delivered them to a lady who goes downtown to that office weekly. Thanks for all the help!

Father's Day

For Father's Day, the kids gifted their truly amazing dad, with a lemonade bar, complete with menu. Our bottom shelf was strategically stocked with sweet-sour goodness! Also they got him cool batman lights that light up the ground when he opens his car doors at night because o the way to school when the kids try to argue some point it ends it with because "I'm Batman". At church the Relief Society sisters treated the men to a nachos bar during third hour, following my address to the brethren. Both were well received but c'mon, you can't beat nachos.

Snake Education Event

Neal has joined a Facebook group, What Snake is This? North Texas, to learn more about the snakes in our area since we did not grow up hear.  He has learned a lot of new facts and we have even spotted and identified two rough earth snakes in our backyard under our gardening pots. Don't worry they were small and nonvenomous. This weekend we headed out to a park in McKinney where there was a snake education event. Learned about some of the stupid things people do when we are ignorant about what kind of animal we are dealing with and viewed several common snakes to our area.

Tyler State Park Camping

Lots of swimming at the lake and just being together. Also visited the zoo in Tyler.

School End Park Hop

We organized a park hop to celebrate being out of school! Yay!  The weather was touch and go but we had a pretty good showing especially at our second park. At the first park, Spring Meadows, we got zero pictures. Kids were playing and riding their scooters and then the heavens opened and we all got drenched as we made a mad dash for our cars! But it had pretty much missed the second park: Bradford Terrace. Here there was playground, bubbles, and basketball! Many stayed here as a small group made there way to the third and final stop, Celebration Sprayground. Great to be out of the classroom and moving! Thanks to all that joined us in celebrating!

Later that day we got wet again but this time at a pool party at the McDaniel's home! Great way to start the summer!

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day we took our family to The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony. Ceremony highlights included keynote remarks from Colonel Bruce R. Cox, a Fort Worth native, music from the U.S. Army 1st Cavalry Division Band, the color guard, a rife salute and a wreath placement.

It was humid and very well attended. Glad to show our respect to those lost in war. Glad to teach our children that freedom is costly.

Rhys' 7th Birthday Party was SUPER

Rhys wanted a superhero party at the park for his 7th birthday but when it threatened to rain we relocated to the house in case things had to move inside--but it turned out to be a good weather day. Rhys still had a great time. The party was held the day before his birthday.

And on his birthday the next day, he started his morning with the breakfast of his choice.

Love our son so much and all that he has become in his 7 years!

Sophie's Field Trip

Because Neal was sick or had to work during Rhys' field trip this year and I had to step in and take his chaperoning spot, I signed up for Sophie's field trip as well.  Off to the Perot Museum as if they had not done the exact same thing the year before!

My leg room on the but. Actually indenting the seat in front of me.

3 third grade classes on one bus! Squirrel shuttle!

Had a great time trying to keep 4 high energy third graders under my wing.  Sophie raced a gymnast and I raced a T-rex. We lost. Enjoyed earthquake simulation and it brought back the good ol' days when I used to live in CA.  Was glad for positive, fun time with my daughter.