To Texas We Go -- Rough Start

Okay, we "went" about 2 1/2 months ago . . . I'm still working on catching up!

Several days before leaving, we decided to join the Thompons in their journey to Texas.  We were meeting the Steeles, coming from Houston, in a rental house in San Antonio.

The plan was to make it to Las Cruces, New Mexico late Friday night (June 17th).  Thankfully, we did, just a couple hours later than planned.

The Thompsons' tire shredded just north of Tucson.

Katie, Leah, Matthew, & Joy at McDonald's while waiting on Discount Tire.

Josh, Nathan, Luke are ready to get back on the road soon.

I'll spare you the next picture, though I did snap one . . . another delay as we were just ready to leave was little Leah (Thompson) having a huge diaper blowout all over Debbie.

We did finally get moving down the road and made it to our hotel, all in one piece.  You can't complain about that outcome!

Unfortunately, we were following behind the Thompsons and ran over part of their tire.  It ripped a bottom cover piece off of our van, which Shawn duct taped back on, without total success.  The next day we stopped to assess the situation.

Shawn & Gary debating on the rip or tape method.  Ripping it off won.

Out of all the open space between Las Cruces and San Antonio, we laughed that we chose to pull over beside a dead deer.

The kids didn't mind the extra scenery.

Besides those few setbacks, we also had some vomiting going on in the Thompson van.  It's actually quite miraculous that we made it to the rental house right on schedule, but not before they Thompsons got the nickname, "Trouble."  It was mainly for our walkie talkie conversations.  It was well deserved.  :)

May Trip to California

At the end of May, we found ourselves in California and Knott's Berry Farm again.

Carter, Joy, Brianna, Luke, Leah, & Claire in front of a Liberty Bell replica.

They boys wanted nothing to do with this picture.

They preferred acting goofy.

Brianna, Leah, & Shawn kept us on the right path.

Leah eating cotton candy -- bigger than her torso, I think!

It was perfect beach weather.

A fractured wrist didn't stop Joy.

Carter & Luke working together.

Claire looking mighty cute!

A ring toss game at home was a fun activity too.

Leah & Claire with the new hair clips we bought them.

It was a short, but sweet trip.  We knew we would be back on July 4th!

Dad's Officially Retired . . . Again . . . For Good!

Dad (Larry) saying his final goodbye to teaching.

In front of the project board at McKemy Middle School.

DO NOT SMELL!

My kids and Lynn's kids were there "helping" (not much!) clean up and seeing if Grandpa wanted to go out to lunch on his last day.  None of the kids could walk by this box without smelling it -- all were sorry they did.  According to my dad, that's what middle school students do too.  He was a favorite teacher and always liked to mess with the kids.

He had a bookmark that had list of positive verbal reinforcement.  He received it in his teacher's mailbox one day and decided to put it to good use.  He numbered them all and would occasionally ask the kids kids to give him a number.  He would read them their affirmation for the day, something like:  You're a real trooper, You're a hidden treasure, You make us all better, etc.  I'm sure the kids got a kick out of that.

He didn't want a big party, but we had a small gathering at Lynn's house to honor him.  He told stories about his years of teaching, many I hadn't heard before.  He enjoyed his years of teaching and his students were blessed to have him.

Opening a couple funny gifts.

Listening to the stories he shared.

Now he says he has six Saturdays and just needs to remember when it's Sunday, to go to church.  I'm sure we'll fill some of those Saturdays for him with some projects around here.  He might even do a mini shop class at his house for the kids, once the weather gets cooler.  I'm not sure he'll make a good, lazy, retired, old man which is a good thing!

Lemonade Standing . . . and Falling

Joy, Katie, Leah, & Emily waiting for customers

The girls had been begging for awhile to have another lemonade stand.  They went to Grandma's for her lemons and help squeezing them.  We added sugar and water and they were set to make their fortune.

Emily & Savannah were spending a couple nights with us, so it was part of the cousin fun.  Katie, a neighbor girl, came as a customer and stayed on as staff.

And, what lemonade stand is complete without a pre-skating show?  They worked hard to coreograph their moves and lemonade chant.

Emily, Joy, & Leah doing their lemonade chant.

The next day, Joy ended up falling, while skating.  The result was a buckle fracture in her left wrist.  She wore a brace for about 6 weeks and all seems to have healed well.

Joy said, "It's kinda good to break your wrist.  You learn to do more with one hand."  I can't complain about that attitude while unloading dishes.  She was a trooper!

Those Rats!

Joy with Double Trouble!

We inherited two rats in May.  Since no one died, I guess I should say that we accepted the offer for two rats.  Hannah and Adam weren't giving them as much attention as they used to and wanted them to get more love.  I can't imagine them getting much more around here.  They adore them!

Leah hanging out with her rat.

The original mission seemed simple . . . go to Prescott Valley to train Gina, the gal who is helping me out with Bargain Believer.  The kids were going to play at Lois & Al's house while I was gone and then we were going to go play with Hannah and Adam and then head home.  All that happened and the kids loved seeing everyone.  Somewhere in there they also suckered me, who was able to sucker Shawn, into taking two rodents home.

On the way home, the girls pondered if it was unkind to change the rats' names.  I suggested they name them what they wanted and keep their original names as their middle names.  They thought I was brilliant because they could proceed guilt-free.  Brilliancy points from kids are always nice to get.

Meet our new pets . . .

Snowflake Lilly, Joy's rat

Oreo Princess, Leah's rat.

The girls have learned a couple minor lessons about placing items too close to the cage, but nothing major was harmed, until . . .

One morning the girls woke up to find Leah's favorite stuffed animal inside the cage, partly chewed up.  Leah has slept with Chicky for many years and it's her absolute favorite possession.  I have to admit that I shed a few tears at his demise.

We're blaming Joy for this one since she's the biggest sleep walker and talker in the family.  My guess is that Leah dropped Chicky to the floor while sleeping, Joy got up for some unknown reason, picked him up on her way back to bed, and put him in the cage . . . for another unknown reason!  We're thinking guilty until proven innocent around here.

We were meeting Linda Dale, Karen, and her kids at the park later that morning.  I called Linda to ask her if she had any light blue thread that she could bring so I could stitch him up.  Thankfully, it was only fairly minor damage on poor little Chicky's back.  I'm happy to report that Linda sewed him right up and the surgery was a success.

Linda performing surgery on Chicky.

A happy Leah & Chicky!

I'll throw in a couple park pictures while I'm at it.

Rachel, Joy, Lauren, & Leah

Rachel watching Luke spinning

 It was a beautiful day enjoyed by young, old, and stuffed.