A Busy, Wet and Fun June...so far

June is turning out to be a busy month for us.  Whether it's scheduled play-dates, trips to visit grandparents, camps, river vacation or VBS, we are on the move! 

We started June off in Livingston on the lake with Randy's Dad and Kelly.  Technically it was the end of May, but who cares. ;) It was Grandpa's birthday and Grandma made sure to gather everyone together to celebrate.  It was a wonderful day on the lake with great weather and great company.  The older kids enjoyed being pulled on the tube behind the boat, and Nate enjoyed the ride.  We ate awesome BBQ and savored every bite of the lemon cake. 
The week brought play-dates for Zachary and lots of pool time for both boys.  And by Thursday night, we were on the road again...

We rolled into town, late Thursday night and my parents were waiting up to encourage us to try all of GreGre's baked goods before heading off to bed.  Nothing like cake and pie before bedtime.  Mom lovingly made Randy a coconut cream pie for his upcoming birthday and a decadent chocolate pie to distract others away from Randy's favorite treat.  Friday morning Randy and I were off to do some (much needed) furniture shopping in Houston.  The boys stayed with GreGre and PawPaw and had lots of fun.  So much fun that Nate was asleep by around 6:00 and didn't wake until the next morning.  Aunt Sarah and Lukey came over to play too.  And by the time Randy and I returned, dinner was underway and everyone enjoyed mom's Mexican creations (Michael came after work and Sarah's parents came too)...her food is sooooo good! 
Saturday brought boat rides, more tubing for Zachary and even for me!  Trust me when I say, I'm too old for that!!  But I did it anyways!!  By Saturday night, we were in our own beds again and ready for a relaxing Sunday.
BTW...I got some pictures from my mom, but my camera battery was dead...go figure!

Sunday brought the start of VBS for Zachary.  No only is he having a great time, but he is having an AMAZING time.  He is learning so much, having fun and really enjoying singing and praising.  He is sad that VBS is only a week long.  Yesterday morning he took out the Bible and began looking up verses that he is learning this week.  He is fascinated by the fact that there are different versions of the Bible.  He wants to compare what his NIV Bible says with the verse cards that he has brought home.  And last night he laid in his bed and sang himself to sleep.  The funny thing is that he woke up singing this morning!  He didn't come out of his room for about 20 minutes, because he was singing all of the songs that he has learned this week.  This has been a wonderful experience for him.

Monday was Randy's birthday :)  Zachary created an awesome coffee mug for him, Nate recorded his sweet voice onto a card, and Randy's new fly fishing rod and reel arrived in the mail.  His mom and sister came down for the day, and I made sure Randy had his favorite foods waiting when he got home from work.  A tray of fruit, fresh made salsa and Mexican salad for dinner.  I think he was happy. ;)

This week has also brought a lot of rain!  I think we received 5-6 inches yesterday and we expect even more today.  Yesterday the boys had a sitter and 2 more friends came over as well. Mommy went shopping (all day) with a friend (a treat from her husband) and not only did the kids have a blast, but the mommas did too!  Today Z has a friend coming over and then tomorrow and the rest of the weekend involves planning, shopping and packing for our trip to the river next week.  That is if the town isn't still flooded by then.  The problem is usually not enough water in the rivers, but this year...there is WAY to much! 

After we get back form the river, I plan on taking the boys to visit Aunt Lisa T. while she is house sitting in Baytown, and then the next week soccer camp starts.  June is busy...

When I turn the page of my calendar to July, it is empty...nothing much going on.  I'm not sure if it will stay that way or not.  I think we should just go to the pool every day...oh yes, that sounds great!  One thing I do know, we plan on visiting with the McPherson's some time that month.  We are ALL looking forward to that. 

As for today, I've gotta run.  I have a few phone calls to make, need to get dressed, pick up before Z's friend comes over, and maybe even eat...well, at least the boys will eat. ;)  Truth is, I probably won't be able to actually post this for hours...I still need to try to add pictures.  Not sure if that will happen,but we will see. ;)

Blog Blues

I haven't posted much this week and probably won't again until Sunday or Monday.  I haven't felt great this week.  No biggie, I'm starting to feel better, but updating the blog has been last on my list of things to do.  Despite not feeling "like myself", the boys and I have had a good week full of fun.  But by the end of the day, dinner and baths, I'm exhausted and ready to sleep.  I know my family is ready for me to be "normal" again.  They feel bad for you, but at the same time get sick of you being sick. 
We have a fun, yet relaxing, family weekend planned, and hopefully I'll have some pictures to share next week.  Have a great upcoming weekend!

BTW...if you read my blog, become a follower.  I want to know who's reading Trenary Lane.  :)

Summer is Here

Well, it looks like summer is here...finally made it.  The boys took their first boat ride for the summer at Grandpa and Grandma's house last weekend.  Fun, fun, fun!

Lights, Camera, Action

Some of my favorite movies...not in any particular order.

  American President

  Moulin Rouge

  While You Were Sleeping

  Ever After

  Fools Rush In

  Die Hard

  Independence Day

  Saving Private Ryan

  Tommy Boy

 Meet the Robinson's

Last of the Mohicans

Meet the Robinson's made me cry, Ever After fulfilled the fairytale ending every girl wants, Fools Rush In is a true love story, While You Were Sleeping shows that dreams really do come true...in ways that you never expected, American President is strong and gentle, Moulin Rouge is dark and dreamy at the same time, Independence Day kept me happy for days and days without cable when we first moved to College Station...and I just really like it, Tommy Boy...enough said...hahahaha, Saving Private Ryan reminds me of what's important, Die Hard was just super cool, and Last of the Mohicans was beautiful, sad, powerful, musically stunning and made me fall in love with the name Cora.

I "heart" Country Music

When I was elementary/early junior high age, I didn't care for Country music at all.  I would never listen to it on the radio...never, ever!  I thought it was silly, though I'm not sure why.  I think the "twang" of it was annoying to me.
But, as I got older, so many of my friends listened to it. Everyone wanted to listen to Country music when we had sleep overs or when we were just hanging out at each others houses. 

One morning I decided to give it a try, and turned my radio on to the local Country radio station and listened while I was getting ready for school.  I just couldn't get into it...it was just too "country sounding".  The next morning, I turned on the radio and jumped in the shower.  UGH...I had forgotten to change the station and had to endure the Country music for the duration of my shower (which according to the screams of my parents to "get out of the shower", was at least half an hour!!).  And then I heard it...the most Country song of them all. It had all that country "twang"...everything I hated about the music.  This song was about as Country as you can get and I LOVED IT.  I really, really loved it.  I found myself  listening all the time just to hear "this" song.  Of course, I discovered that I liked so many songs and the more "country sounding" the better. (Digging Up Bones, by Randy Travis, was also one of my first favorites...and that's real country!)

So thanks to "this" song, I've been hooked ever since! 

Fishing in the Dark

Lazy yellow moon coming up tonight

Shining through the trees

Crickets are singing

And the lightning bugs are floating on the breeze

Baby get ready

Across the field where the creek turns back

By the old stump road

I'm going to take you to a special place

That nobody knows

Baby get ready

Ooo ooo ooo

You and me going fishing in the dark

Lying on our backs and counting the stars

Where the cool grass grows

Down by the river in the full moon light

We’ll be falling in love in the middle of the night

Just moving slow

Staying the whole night through

Feels so good to be with you

Spring is almost over and the summers comin

The days are getting long

Waited all winter for the time to be right

Just to take you along

Baby get ready

And it don’t matter if we sit forever

And the fish don’t bite

Jump in the river and cool ourselves

from the heat of the night

Baby get ready

Ooo ooo ooo

You and me going fishin in the dark
Lying on our backs and counting the stars
Where the cool grass grows
Down by the river in the full moon light
We’ll be falling in love in the middle of the night
Just moving slow
Staying the whole night through
Feels so good to be with you

Pals

The park is always so much fun, but sharing it with a friend is even better!

I Want S'more!!

Who doesn't like S'mores?  Well...I'm not a huge fan, unless the marshmallows have been blackened over a campfire. ;)  But in general, most people love them.  And I have found two boys that think they are the best thing EVER!

Three little ingredients = Two happy boys

Sticky faces and sticky fingers!  Notice their faces and then their napkins...funny!

You can't get much cuter than this!

Until next time...