Catch up

Here we go. Our month of July summed up. I have quite a lot more pics to come. But, this is about all I can do for now. A lot of these pictures are taken w/ my little point and shoot, some are taken by family and all the others are straight out of the camera. We have had a good summer. God has been SO good to us. We have been able to spend a lot of time together playing and bonding. There is so much to do in Austin and the surrounding area for kids and families. We just love being back here! The older boys and I just returned from camp at Highland Lakes with our church. We had a ton of fun. I will post some pictures from that soon. And I will try and do better at keeping my blog up more consistently!

Random




Science Museum in San Antonio

We went to this great museum in San Antonio(that is free on Tuesdays, although you have to pay like $500 in gas to drive an hour to get there!!).





Bowling at The Union

Ryder was infactuated with the glow in the dark shoes and kept doing gymnastics moves. He wanted to roll the ball all by himself every time. It took about 5 minutes for the ball to roll down to the pins (is that what they're called? I'm not too up on my bowling terminology ((sorry Joe!))

Swimming at the country club w/ Papa



The Riverwalk in San Antonio (not sure if I already posted about this trip or not)

Lots of trips to Barton Springs



Finger Painting...gone bad!

Rope Swing at Town Lake















Good times at Unka Chad and Aunt Taylor's


A weekend with our sweet friends visiting from South Africa. We lived in Seminary housing at the same time and our boys (Lane and Hannes) became best buds. They moved back to South Africa about 6 years ago. The dad, Gideon is back just for a semester to complete some more courses at Seminary.

This is one of the sweetest families I have ever met. Spending time w/ them is like spending time w/ Jesus. They are so loving and peaceful. I felt so refreshed and renewed when we left their home. Spending time fellowshipping w/ other believers, praying w/ one another, encouraging, etc. needs to happen more often. It just feels right.

Lane and Hannes




The Drag



A trip to Fort Worth to see friends

Lane and his friend, Jake. They had just returned from a 5 day camp at ACU.

Cam and one of his buddies, Nathan

Random Shot of shoveling food in his mouth. Of course the others laugh at him when he does this so it happens quite often.

More Barton Springs The first one is of our dog, Blaze. He didn't like the water so much. The second one is of me, Blaze and Cam. Luke is usually really good taking pictures, don't think he hit the focus button on this one)

Still alive

I have been a bad, bad blogger. I really have no pictures right now to post - sorry. I have given my kids a break from the camera. I'll make up for it soon.
Here's a quick update on our life right now. I am calling this the "Season of Strengthening the Melsa family". otherwise known as - it sucks! ;-)
Luke was out of town for 2 weeks and then I was out of town for 1 week. I had some photo shoots in between that. My kids think that Summer means doing everything possible in the city of Austin and surrounding countries. "Why can't we go to Europe and tour? I am tired of swimming at the country club! Can't we go swimming at the beach in Hawaii?" Ugh...
Church is great. Love it!
So, anyone know the count down until school starts back? Give me hope. ;-)

Day trip to the Capitol

This picture cracks me up b/c if you notice Lane ducking in the bottom left of the picture - right after I took it he squealed, jumped up and said he was eye to eye w/ a cockroach.


This looks like my kids are inquisitive and all "smart", but they are actually trying to find out who has the funniest hair-do.


This was the highlight of Cam's life - feeding a squirrel. He now thinks that he needs one as a pet.


We took a picnic and even though it was 100 degrees outside, it wasn't so bad in the shade.

Wknd in Magnolia

This weekend we went to Kim's house to celebrate her boy's birthdays. They both have bdays in June so she always has a big party. There were lots of kiddos and lots of fun! Also - there was an amazing balloon artist there.

This is Kim's neighbors little boy. Isn't he just the cutest?!

Update

PUBLISHING PARTY

Cameron had a book signing party at school. He was so sweet. All the parents got to go around and read the kid's poems, etc. and sign their books.

SCHOOL PLAY

Lane had a play at school - he was Donald Duck. I love that my parents can now come to all the kid's events. Here is a picture of my dad w/ Olivia on his lap.

GRADUATION

My baby graduated from Elementary school. Very emotional. Next year he will be in middle school - the same middle school I went to AND one of my friends I grew up with and lived down the street from me is the Vice Principal. Pretty cool!

FAMILY NIGHT AT CHURCH



I look over and see Cam. hmmm?..


They had those fun ground fountains


AFTER A LITTLE SUGAR...



CUTIES





BOY'S HAIRCUTS - I KNOW, DON'T HAVE A HEART ATTACK