Fellowship at the Lake

We took two families from our Fellowship (the Schoolers and the Trusses) to the lake this past weekend. We all had a great time being out on the water and watching the kids play.

The kids loved riding in the front of the boat

Kim and Bentley

Me and Alivia

Rob with Bentley and Grayson

Kim and Rob Truss

Christy and Ryan Schooler

Sweet girl Alivia

Luke Schooler

Baby John (15 months) and Ryan

The guys took ALL the kids across the lake to get gas

Aquarena Springs - San Marcos

Mimi had a Groupon for Aquarena Springs so we thought we would check it out this morning. We did not know what to expect since we had not heard anything about it in years. I remember going over 20 years ago to see the swimming mermaids and Ralph the swimming pig. But I prepared the kids that PETA probably did not let Ralph swim anymore. I was right.

When we got there, I was underwhelmed. Texas State University has bought the property and has let the amusement park areas fall into great disrepair. It was depressing. But the glass bottom boat ride redeemed the entire trip for us. It was great! And just the right level of excitement for a 3 year old and 5 year old. It was really fun. They have a small aquarium as well that was easily walked through with the kids. The grounds are really shady and pretty. It was a really fun trip overall - perfect for a hot, summer morning. Thanks for treating us, Mimi!

Walking around the grounds

On the glass bottom boat - Will was thrilled

It's like you were snorkeling without getting wet!

Lunch at Dairy Queen on the way home

Mimi, Emily and Paige's Birthday Celebration

Mimi, Emily and Paige all have birthdays within days of one another in July. Mimi had us all over for a nice salmon dinner and we enjoyed watching the kids play and open gifts. Paige turned 2, Mimi turned 65 and Emily turned 36.

Paige looked absolutely precious in her purple dress and shrieked with glee at her gifts and strawberry shortcake dessert with a candle on top.

Anderson High School 20-year Reunion

While Matt was rocking out to U2 in St. Louis (more on that later). I went to my 20th high school reunion. I really missed having my handsome husband by my side, but it turned out that there were quite a few friends there without their spouses. On Saturday there was a family picnic at the BW Pool. Hanging out in my bathing suit probably would not have been my first way of seeing people I had not seen in 10-15 years, but oh well. On Saturday night, the big event was held at the UT Alumni Center. Overall, I am really glad I went. It is fun to see people you have not thought about in such a long time.

If you look really closely you can see that our name tags have our senior high school pic next to our name. Hilarious!

From L-R: Margie Holmes, CJ Bradford, Diana Showalter, Nikki Jackson, and me. I was in Girl Scouts with Margie, CJ and Diana. We all went to Doss Elementary together.

Alice Bluntzer - she lives in Denver now.

Gabrielle Lucas, me and Ashley Simmons. Ashley was my absolute best friend from about 4th grade to 9th grade. Then we parted ways when she became BFF with Gab. Sigh. . .

Prison Talk

Tonight at dinner Matt mentioned the fact that Casey Anthony had been acquitted. I could not believe it and told him so. That started a very funny conversation about prison:

Alivia: What is prison?

Matt: It's where people are sent when they do bad things.

Will: Like pinching people?

M: Well, not exactly.

A: Like throwing rocks at people?

M: Ummm. Not really.

A: Like taking things from other people?

M: Yes. Taking things from other people is bad.

A: Like the cat burglar in "Martha Speaks," right?

M: Yes! Exactly.

Ah, the innocence. If it only would last forever.

From Lake Maverick to Casa Risinger

Will had another "Grandpa Day" adventure today. Grandpa took Will to Bertram to fish. They caught two large bass and of course Will was thrilled. Grandpa sent them back to us semi-alive and by the time Matt came home they had officially kicked the bucket. Matt got on YouTube and learned how to fillet a fish and removed several fine small fillets that we coated in flour and pan fried. They were quite yummy and Will was thrilled that we were eating HIS fish. Next time I told him he and Grandpa would have to catch 10 fish to feed all of us. He seemed more than willing to accommodate my request. Thanks Grandpa, for making another fun memory with Will.

Happy Father's Day!

How I love my sweet husband. He is one of the most hands-on, positive, loving, caring, willing to help out men I know. And I blessed to be his wife.

For Father's Day, I surprised Matt with tickets to U2 in St. Louis with his best buddy Daryl in a few weeks. Unfortunately, the surprise was ruined last week when Matt opened the Fed Ex with the tickets in it. Bummer! But we still wrapped up the tickets and plane reservation info along with a new bathing suit he picked out himself today at Academy.

We had a wonderful dinner at Mimi's with steaks that were so tender you could cut them with a fork. Yummy. Thanks, Mimi.

Here's to you, Dads!

Best Buds - Avery (4 1/2) and Alivia (5 1/2)

Self-Portrait by Alivia

Another Photo by Alivia

And another photo by Miss A - she loves taking pics with my camera these days

My sweet hubby - looking very slim and trim I might add

John ADORES Mimi and Grandpa's house because we let him run wild and there is always lots of commotion and activity

Everyone gathered on Grandpa's lap to watch each other play Angry Birds on the iPad