Beaver's Bend 2014

Every year, during Spring Break, we take a trip to Beaver's Bend National Park in Oklahoma with our dear friends The Recks. We stay in a beautiful cabin, and  each year it is a different place. So each trip is a bit different. But, every year is better than the one before. We look forward to this family getaway and love spending time outside together.

 

When we arrived, Marty and I were so amazed by the breath-taking views from the deck of our cabin. Below there was a beautiful stream and you could hear the rushing water from the deck. It was an incredible experience.

 

 

 For Jack's birthday, the Recks made Jack a necklace with "16 dollars". I am sure he will think of them when he fills up his gas tank very soon.

 

 

I baked Jack a birthday cake so he could blow out candles on his actual birthday. His special cake was too fragile to make the trip to the cabin. I stole this hug while it was baking.

 

 

Our birthday boy...I still can't believe he is 16!

  

  It didn't take long for the girls to find the hot tub.

 

I woke up early on Sunday morning to have coffee on the deck. It was so peaceful.
 And so quiet.

 

 

 

Then my coffee buddies showed up to join me. It was cold, but Lily, Kinley, and I just curled up in blankets and enjoyed some early morning girl talk.

 

 

The rain stopped and the temperature raised a bit. So we went for a short hike down to the stream below. I love the memories these kids share of all the trips we have taken to this beautiful area. I know this year will be one to remember.

 

 

Sofie was very excited to learn how to skip rocks with Daddy. Jack is getting to be an expert after all these years. He finds the perfect rocks for skipping. He learned from the Master as well.

 

 

On the way back to the cabin, Jack found this big stick. He played around and pretended he was Gandolph from Lord of the Rings..."You Shall Not Pass!"  He is such a character!  Literally.

Lily wore this t-shirt, given to her by her Aunt Minniette, just in case anybody wondered from which state she resides. So funny!

 

 

Molly and Little Bug had fun just hanging out together. They really miss each other now that they are not in school together every day. It was fun for them to reconnect in the woods.

 

 

Beaver's Bend...We love you.

Jack Is 16!

 

I still can't quite  get my head around it, but somehow it happened just the same. I blinked my eyes, and Jack turned 16 years old. His birthday was a fantastic celebration of a great young man.  We took Jack to dinner on Friday evening, and presented him with a binder full of letters from friends, loved ones,and important influences.  He loved reading them all.And he was so touched that so many people went out of their way to write to him on his special day.

 

 

 

I had this cake designed especially for Jack...

 

 It is personalized with Jack's interests.

 

 

A license plate to represent the fact that he will be a licensed driver soon.

 



 

The McKinney Boyd Broadway Broncos...of course.

 



 

He is a proud member of Boyd Choir.

 

 

Jack loves hiking and we took him to Beaver's Bend for the weekend.

 

 

Jack chose the Greek restaurant Zorbas for his birthday dinner. His special guest was his girlfriend, Mackenzie Bryan.

 

 

Making a wish...I wonder if it was a Camaro.

 

 

The next day was Jack's actual birthday, and he awoke to these clues. He had to solve the puzzle to locate his gift.

 

 

He pondered and pondered...but was still stumped. Not even a Starbucks double chocolaty chip frappacino seemed to help him connect the clues.  With a little help, he finally solved the mystery.

 

 

Jack found his birthday present in the trunk of Marty's car. Jack calls it the Marshmallow. One day soon, it will be his car.

 

 

Jack got a novel of Sherlock Holmes and tickets to see the show Sherlock Holmes at the Dallas Theater Center. Marty and I are going to take him to the play in May.  He loves Sherlock, and was very excited!

 

 

The girls surprised Jack with production posters for his room...Pirates of Penzance and Radium Girls.

 

 

I still can't believe my little boy is 16 years old...but look at that smile. So handsome.

 

 

Happy Birthday, J-Man. You make us so proud. In the words of John Cougar Mellencamp, in the song, Jack and Diane,  "Hold onto 16 as long as you can..."



Lily Is 12!

Our Lilybelle is 12 years old...

 

 

It is hard to believe that our little pink princess is growing up so fast. We celebrated it with all her favorites...

 

 

A birthday breakfast just us girls at Starbucks...



 

Dinner at Maggiano's...the waiter brought her this dessert on "the house".

 

 

And gifts...Bug made this especially for her big sister.

 

 

The following weekend, we celebrated Lily with her friends...a sweet and sassy bunch of gals.

 

The girls played Wii "Just Dance" and then they sat down for some girl talk as the decorated their own personal journals.

 

 

Then it was time for cake...

 

 

I am sure her wish came true.

 

 

Instead of goodie bags, we let the girls fill a candy bucket at our candy bar.

They loved the idea. The red and pink Starbursts were a big hit!

 

 

We were especially delighted that Savannah Miller, Lily's cousin who lives in Mansfield, Texas could join us for the celebration. I love the budding friendship I see growing between these two sweet young ladies.

 

 

Twelve years ago we were blessed with a dancing princess. And every day, I give thanks that I get to watch her grow into the spectacular woman of faith that I know she is going to become. Happy Birthday, Sweet Lily. You make me so proud. How I love your sweet and sparkly ways.

Beauty and the Beast

The Boyd Broadway Broncos of Boyd High School proudly brought "Beauty and the Beast" to the stage. Jack was casted in the role of Cogsworth, the grumpy talking clock. And he was amazing!  Every performance was better than the night before, and it was so much fun to watch Jack doing what he loves and doing it SO well!!

 

 

Jack and Danny made a dynamic duo as Cogsworth and Lumiere...

 

 It was fun watching Jack and his friends celebrate their success together after each show...

 

 

 

And, of course, we were so proud to be there as his cheer section...

One of his biggest fans was Ms. Claire, his voice coach. With her help, Jack sounded outstanding on his solo in "Human Again".

The show was a huge success! 

We can't wait for the next one to come to the stage at MBHS.