Happy Birthday Maverick & Smokey!

It's been a little over a year since Maverick passed and Smokey happened to be spending a month in Tyler at "Camp MeMe," so we had two standins as we sang Happy Birthday to two dogs that are talked about all the time in this house.

Stay-At-Home Mom!

That may get your attention, coming from this blog.

It was just for a day and just with one kid.

Addie's school is closed two days this week and I decided to fully try out the stay-at-home mom thing and not think about work and try not to allow the TV to be turned on. After a early morning trip to HEB together, we were off to plant our fall garden. Squash, peas, spinach and lettuce.

 It was time to come in and do something I never really remember doing before... bake a cake 100% from scratch. Whom better to do that with but Miss Addie.

 We decided to celebrate the end of summer time by making Cooking Light's Lemonade Layer Cake!

 The two of together are a mess taking turns licking anything we can find!

After a dance party, some books, it was time for a short nap (these have to be SAHM's saving grace and allowed me to check 10 minutes of email and start a load of wash) before heading to dance class. We had to get home though for craft time, all before dinner.

We decided to make some Christmas ornaments of Addie's individual tree in her room.

We had so much fun but I know I crammed a ton into this one day and this schedule of events would be very un-realistic on a daily basis, but yet again, my respect and complete "ahhhh" goes out to all the stay-at-home mom's out there I know. Hands down, it's the toughest job around. I definitely learned, personally, that I wouldn't get as much done during a typical day, hardly ANY email or phone calls would be returned, I would take a lot less showers and go through a ton less makeup each year, my house would be a million times messier and I'm sure I would loose my patience a ton more. You gals are my heroes!!!

SO TUESDAY, it's Stay At Home Daddy Day!!! I wonder what they will do?!?!?

Rain! Rain!

Sunday, we finally had SEVEN hours of uninterrupted and steady rain.... hallelujah!

 My little hoola-hoopin' fool....



Carter - 18 holes Af Golf (At 5 Years Old)

...and I think this may be his 3rd time for a complete 18. Before the rain started this weekend, Blake was in heaven with Carter.

Lake Weekend

One of our favorite times at the lake are the weekends right after Labor Day. The water is still warm but oh so calm from the lack of boats.

 This was a big weekend for Carter has he mastered using the Real Ski's and not the just the training skis like he has the past two summers. He popped right up on the second try but then started crying once we went over some waves made by another boat, the whole time holding on and making it through the rougher water effortlessly. The tears came from definitely being able to feel the water more under the skis with these new ones. (no camera on board the boat unfortunately)

From a early age, we have tried to teach the kids that to those that a great deal is given, a great deal is expected and to live those words, the kids are expected to put in some work before enjoying the luxuries of the lake. So within 30 minutes of arriving Friday, Carter is blowing leaves off the decks. Addie helped put out all the seat cushions.

 There was a surprise in store for us, Uncle August had bought himself a Kayak but wanted Blake to test it out first. 

 Blake loved it.

 Another notable thing about fall visits to the lake, they will be filled with TONS of fishing. Carter is 100% obsessed with fishing and it our brief 48 hour visit, Carter had embarked on about 5 separate fishing adventures catching all kinds of creatures.

Labor Day In Lindale

 We were all amazed with how this Leopard would look into Carter's eyes.

 We had such a fun weekend with Meme.

 Addie checking out the tarantulas.

 We all couldn't get enough of all the Rattlesnakes.

 The most fun was the bird house.

 The new...

 and the old...

 We stared at the five giraffes as we ate our lunch.

 Thank you Meme for a wonderful day!!