M.I.T. (Mowers in Training)

Matt is counting the days until he can pass off this duty. . . 

Like Father Like Son

John (3 1/2) is Matt's shadow. He follows him everywhere when he is home and wants to do exactly what Daddy is doing at. all. times.

Working in the back yard

RST Annual Lake Weekend

We headed out to the lake this past weekend with the Schoolers and Truss families. We all live in the 'hood together, attend church together, and live life together. The kids all get along great, too. Matt would easily consider Rob and Ryan has best friends. They have an incredible friendship with each other.

The weather was beautiful, which was just icing on the cake. We ate lots of good food and just sat around and enjoyed watching the kids play in the water, wakeboard, water ski and tube. Oh, and the adults got a few runs in as well!

The whole gang (Baby Matthew was sleeping)

Christy, Christy and Kim

Becca, Grayson, Alivia, Bentley, Tyler and Luke

John was a charmer all weekend

Will loved driving the boat with Daddy

From our deck - sunrise

Boys and their coffee/early morning meetings

Daddy show us how it's done!

Tyler got up on skis!

The tube was a big hit - The Taylors joined us for the day on Saturday

The faces are priceless

Daddy, thank you for being such a faithful boat driver

Mimi's 67th Birthday

Pine Cove Base Camp

Alivia had an amazing week with the traveling counselors from Pine Cove Camp. Her counselor, Aubree "C-Stop" Seiferman, was precious and is currently a Junior at Texas A&M. Base Camp is a way for younger kids (up to 4th grade) to experience Pine Cove without leaving Austin or spending the night. After this week, Alivia has started talking about going to Pine Cove sleepaway camp! I never thought I would hear her say that. She cried tonight when she talked about how this was the last day and that she was not going to get to see her counselor tomorrow. Too precious. I think it had a meaningful impact on her. They really speak Gospel truth to the kids and seem like an amazing group. Thank you Pine Cove!

On the last day parents come and listen to the camp sign and then we break into "cabin groups" and listen to the counselor talk about character qualities about your child. Here is what Aubree said about Alivia: "Alivia is polite in the way she treats others. Her faithful nature allows others to depend on her. Alivia is considerate in her words and actions."

Bella French, Aubree, and Alivia

TCU Lake Weekend 2013

We actually had this weekend at the end of June. . .

We figured out this was our 12th year. How crazy is that? Everyone was able to make it except Jason who was at Camp Barnabas and couldn't get away. Amazing Al drove with all three kids for 12 hours by herself. Thankfully she was able to spend a few extra days with family before having to head back home again.

I have a bunch more pictures that I hope to add later. . .

The girls! Al from Purdy, MO; me; Mandy from Austin; Anna from Denton; Red from Shreveport.
Mandy is about 34 weeks pregnant with her baby boy!

To celebrate Samuel's b-day, the Burkes hired a guide and went fishing early Saturday morning

Success! They caught perch, crappie and bass - we fried them up later  - yummy!

Anna was still recovering from ACL surgery. Here is the catch!

Jackson is the oldest - he looks so much like Jason

All the kids - GO FROGS!

Smith and Baker

Brian being a good sport

Baker and Brian

Boat ride! I think we may have been over the limit. :-)

Precious Elle Niles

Will's First Sleepover!

At the Schooler's to celebrate Luke's birthday.

Front L-->R: Will, Grayson Truss
Back L-->R: Luke Schooler, William French, Ben Spears, Isaac Zimel