Our 'summer vacation' was San Diego.
The rest of the summer was a flop....
not so much!
We started our 'summer' with a weekend VBS in Paris. I am so glad we were able to be there. the kids enjoyed their day of playing and learning. I took some really good ideas from there and applied them to our VBS in LA.
Max and Leland dressing up.
The older kids outside playing with water balloons and having popsicles.
Kaden and Ava singing.
Mom read I LOVE YOU to the boys while we were visiting Sue.
Next stop was west Texas. We were in New Home for 2 weeks with swimming lessons. The Zant Reunion was in between the weeks of swimming lessons and The Van Deman Celebration.
This tree is in front of the church building in New Home. It has had many Zant's climb in it.
Sunday night we got to hear Braxton read a scripture with their Timothy and Tabitha Program. He did an excellent job. Way to go Braxton and Carson.
The Zant Reunion is held in New Home every June. We look forward to this weekend (I think Karl more than rest of us). We play all day long with cousins and eat way too much and allow the kids (older ones as well) to fight over silent auction items.
Leland Zant treating Leland McDonald
Five of the seven brothers....
and they produced this....
Papa's clan
My beautiful sisters. Love these ladies! They are just everything I want to be when I grow up.
My oldest nephew, Braxton.
During time to clean up, we needed the boys to sit and chill. Z to the rescue. She found some books and read until we were ready to go.
games...bananas...dominoes...cramps...quiet...laughter...helpful Amy...
one of the best evenings I have had in a LONG time
After the reunion we had one more week of swimming lessons to complete. At the beginning of the week (week 2), Leland asked me not to let him go under the water. By Tuesday he had decided he was part fish. Now he only swims with his face in the water and we have to fight to get floaties on him.
Kaden grew in confidence with his swimming lessons. He can be a fish...if he chooses to be!
We left New Home and headed for East Texas where Jeremy and Sherry were celebrating their marriage.
The Van Deman's ran off to Hawaii to marry so we celebrated with them in East Texas on the last Saturday in June. (I don't know how, but I left with only these pictures and NONE of Sherry or Cindy.)
Grandpa Johnny and Uncle Jeremy
From East Texas we traveled to Northeast Texas.
After a trip to the ER and 8 stitches later we were all ready to enjoy the 4th of July!
a proud Leland
Ashley and Lyneil
Ashley rented an awesome water slide for all of the "kids".
Dad and Amy
On Wednesday night in Paris, the young men get to help lead singing. Leland thought it was great. Kaden we had to force up there. Now he goes a little more willingly.
the love of my life
Replacing the flags...
The Saturday after the 4th Paige organized a Cagle Cousin Camp for us at Gay's house.
My Aunt Sue is in the font (wheelchair) and mom (standing right behind her)
All of our crazy kidos.
Our generation
Kan Man enjoyed the bounce house that Lyneil had set up to be delivered.
We actually came home for a couple of weeks. Just in time to prepare for VBS.
Digging for Treasure
Karl was the Captain
We had two great pirates in our room to help tell the story of Jericho. Steven and Grant were fantastic.
Kaden and his friend Tristen
All of the pirates on The Proverb
Captain and Wisdom (parrot)
Three days after VBS Karl and I got to help take the youth to Six Flags. Ashley (so kind) met us at the Chick-Fil-A in Forney and we dropped our boys with her. She delivered them to mom and dad's. They were there for 6 days. Karl and I painted and worked around the house. It was eerily quiet...but nice!
On Sunday I went to relive mom. Karl had meetings in Corpus so I stayed at mom's until Friday. On Tuesday we took the kids to Commerce to play at the Children's Museum. It rocks!
Judge Hunter presiding with his side kick toothless.
Ava and Kaden playing dentist.
Leland was checking out what bones move when you ride a bike.
Amy and I had fun as well!
....and Pam and mom
Max found the John Deere and rode and rode and rode.
The little boys and I came home on Friday to repack and water everything (it was so dry). Karl's flight came in at 9pm. He was home by 9:15pm. We met Kristyn's mom and step dad (via chat). During our meeting we discussed the opportunity of Kristyn living with us to finish her senior year at OCS (a christian school in town). She lives in Florida but wanted to be here with our youth group. So, we decided it is going to be a great deal for all involved and Saturday morning Karl and I got up and cleaned out the toy room. We left the house at 11am headed up north for 2 weeks....whew...I am tired!
Our first stop was Tyler and Beck Yager's house!
Alec and Sam are HUGE. They are such great boys.
Sunday after worship we stopped by to see Grandma Hazel (Karl's maternal grandmother) and Lloyd. They live in Lincoln, IL. They dote on the boys.
Karl and Grandma Hazel looking at Ancestry.com
Lloyd down with the boys. He is just a big kid.
Next stop....Moline, IL
We stayed at the Hampton Inn and this was our room for the week....I thought it was appropriate enough to snag a picture!
Karl had training for a week in IL and a week in Des Moines, IA/Omaha, NE area. He only had to ask once if we wanted to tag along. We are SO glad we did!
The boys and I went to the Niabi Zoo. It was perfect for a morning activity and then of course swimming in the evening.
It was half price day so the boys got to feed the birds and the giraffes. Kaden liked the birds and Leland just wanted to catch them.
Wednesday morning we ventured over to the Children's Museum. It was awesome!! We could have spent the rest of the week there.
Leland enjoyed himself in this mirror box. He just thought that was nifty.
This picture was just for Amy.
Wednesday after church we stopped and ate some ice cream at Whitey's. It was wonderful. We all had a different flavor. It's not custard, but it is some really good ice cream.
Thursday we decided to stay at the hotel and swim all day. Not a problem. The boys love the water and we had the pool to ourselves there in IL. Thursday night, Leland and Kaden were playing, Leland pushed Kaden and he hit his chin on the edge of the pool. He handled it well. He smiled when I finally told him we were NOT going to the hospital. Although I should have taken him. He is healing just fine, but I think it would have healed easier and faster with a couple of stitches. Oh, well. He is a tough kid.
Friday we headed over to the John Deere Pavilion.
The boys played...
while daddy worked...
finally daddy got to help Leland drive a simulator.
Saturday we woke up in Des Moines, IA. We made it just in time for the Adel Corn Festival.
WHOOP!
The next week went so fast, I don't remember all of the details....it involved a lot of play time with the Clapp Family and some rest...
We sent Karl to Omaha, NE alone. Because of the generous McCrea family (they loaned us their supped up suburban for the week), we were able to stay in Des Moines and play all week and see our very good friends. Kaden did not want to leave. At every stop on the way home he asked if we could turn around and go back to Lisa's house. We miss our wonderful friends.
We fed the ducks (Leland and Kaden both tried to chase them...what is it about trying to chase winged animals...?)
The boys and I stayed with a previous boss of mine. Lori and Paul are one of a kind. They are wonderful people and loving hosts. Kaden and Leland had chores of feeding Ginger and Katie (dogs) while we were there and giving them treats. At times, they were the dogs...
Paul played with them...
Lori read to them...
and we appreciate them for treating us like family. We are so blessed to be surrounded by good people.
Wednesday we were able to meet Lisa, Jenny, Shana, and Mrs. Deb at the zoo (plus all of the kids that go with these fine ladies). We had a blast. The zoo in Des Moines has changed a lot in a year. The boys favorite is still the koi pond.
look at all of those good looking kids...we are blessed
Karl wanted to eat at the Machine Shed. The weather was PERFECT while we were there.
We had a NOT so bummer summer (thanks Lisa for the tag)!
