High School Lock-In

Staying up all night used to sound so fun. However, now at 33, I can't say I look forward to the lack of sleep. I feel miserable the next day, and it is not easy to sleep in or nap with a 5 and 7 year old. All that to say, since I have had kids I only stay part of the night at the youth lock-ins.

The first part of this year's lock-in was spent down at the Main Event where we enjoyed bowling, pizza, laser tag, and arcade games. My team won at laser tag! Woo hoo! Avery and Abby played for the first time in their life. The vests were pretty heavy, but they sure did look cute running around guns in hand.

Ready for some bowling!

Easton and Brinlee. Whacky!

Ariel and Sierra - sweet sisters.

Wes helping Abby out.

We are going to miss you girls when you go off to college!

Ashley and Jake riding a roller coaster ride.

Avery and Abby's turn on the ride.

We had a large group (lock-ins are always a big hit) and it sure was fun hanging out with everyone.

Haircuts by Gina

I should have taken pictures of Gina in action in her cool salon, but here are the girl's new haircuts. Gina is an amazing hairdresser. Avery wanted her hair as short as mine, but Gina and I agreed that it just wouldn't look the same. Her hair is simply the wrong texture and not as thick. I was flattered, and I think it is darn cute that she wants her hair to look like mine. Abby loved her trim and especially her Laura Ingall's braids that Gina gave her.






THANKS GINA!

Christian Theater Workshop

For 12 summers (the first one being the summer we first got here) our church has been having Christian Theater Workshop (CTW). Basically, kids and teens from our community, as well as our own youth, put on a Bible musical. Three of the plays we do are written my Jeff Walling and one is written by one of our directors. Two weeks before the production the principal characters practice every evening. The week before the production there is a day camp where everyone else learns their lines and the words to all the songs. They also rotate between a Bible class, (where they learn in depth things about the particular Bible story the play is on), games, and crafts. We usually have about 130 kids involved in it.

This year we did the story of Noah and I helped in the craft room. Each day we made part of a paper bag scrapbook, and at the end of the week each child got to take it home. It was a lot of fun helping out and being with all the kids that came through.

Sybil spent 3 nights with us during the week since her family has now moved. The girls loved spending time with her and were sad to see her go.

Avery and Abby were townspeople and pigs. They loved every bit of CTW. Avery was quick to learn the lines and the songs while Abby cracked us up with all her gestures and facial expressions. She is such a ham!

They did three performances and needless to say, the girls were tired when it was all said and done.

This year we got to use our new building. It isn't totally finished. They still have to pour the special mondo flooring in the gym and lay the carpet in the classrooms.

Singing townspeople. Avery is in the light blue and Abby is in the navy and pink making a funny face.

Noah talking with all the animals on the ark.

Waiting for the curtain to open.

Noah's wife dancing with Abby along with her daughter-in-laws.

More singing and funny choreography.

Rian, Robert, Zack, and Easton, our very important sound and light crew. Nice glasses Robert.

The girls working on their paper bag scrapbook.

Our little pigs!


With their masks on.

Tanglewood Resort

Last year marked 10 years here at Park Avenue. Last summer one of our elders called us to come to the front during church and said some sweet things about us and gave us a gift certificate to Tanglewood Resort. We finally got around to using it this summer.

We got there around noon and were able to check in to our villa right away. It was super nice with a large living and dining area, kitchen, and master bedroom with a jacuzzi bath. The place even had two bathrooms.

We first ate lunch then headed to the tower which overlooks the lake. Then we headed down to the pools. They had 3 different pools an a large hot tub, and we took advantage of them all.

We ate dinner right by the pool at Barnacles. We discovered that they have the best salsa and some pretty yummy pizza.

After dinner we went back to our villa where the girls enjoyed the jacuzzi for a bit before we watched some Little House on the Prairie DVD's that I had brought.

The girls slept on the fold out couch in the living room. It was nice to be able to stay up later in our own room.

The next morning we ate a little breakfast before heading down to the pool. We ate some more chips and salsa for lunch and then headed home.

There was a small dance floor in the tower. Abby had to take advantage of it.

Daddy's girls.


My sweetie pies!

Nice ferocious smile, Abby!


Avery spends most of the time underwater when she is in a pool.


Abby and Avery taking advantage of the jacuzzi tub in our room.

All in all it was a great little family getaway and it was only 20 minutes from home.

Thanks Park Avenue for a fantastic gift! We love you!

Reunion with Friends

Two weeks ago, (yes, I know I am late posting all of this) the girls and I met up with Alexis and Kendall at Blake and Katy's house. We had a little visit there with Tripp and sweet baby Grace. Then Alexis and Kendall rode with us to Lauren's house in Shreveport.

We spent three nights there. We always have plenty of catching up to do when we get together. We also enjoyed swimming, going out to eat, watching a movie, going to Lauren's children's church activity, and just hanging out watching our kids interact with each other. The girls doted over cute Kendall and had a blast playing with each other. Poor Cole tried to play along, but wasn't always welcome. Poor guy, it is hard being the little brother sometimes.

Avery and Emie = 2 little fish


Abby, Alexis, and Kendall cooling off.


This boy will not drown. He's got floaties and a noodle - double protection.


I am not sure how comfortable this was for Kendall, but it sure looked cute.


Lauren helping Kendall out.


All the girls got to sleep in the same room each night. This was a highlight for sure!


Lauren and I purchased these night gowns when we were together on our girl trip earlier this year.

I am so thankful for these relationships. They are truly a gift from God. I am also thankful that our kids have so much fun together.

Lake Days

Every summer the youth group is invited to the Landrum's house on Lake Texoma. We actually get to go twice, once with the middle school and once with the high school. This year the Lake Days fell on two consecutive Sundays in July. We had a great time playing in the water, cooking out, having a devo, riding in the boat and tubing. Shawn Landrum loves to take the tube riders for crazy rides. We all hang on for dear life and say a little prayer. This year I lost a water shoe and I almost lost part of my bathing suit when I got swung from the tube. Thankfully my shoe floated and I was able to swim to get it.

The girls rode with the Landrum boys who are close to their age. The first Sunday Shawn taught me to drive the boat, and I got to pull Avery, Abby, and Christian. After a while, Abby and Christian wanted off, but Avery wanted to keep going. That is when Shawn took over the driving. He drove pretty fast and kept turning corners giving Avery a fun, but rough ride. She loved every minute of it. Several times the tube would fly up 3-4 feet in the air and tilt backwards to where we couldn't even see her. Later we asked her if she realized she was up in the air all those times. She didn't even know how high she was.

The second Sunday the girls rode with Austin, their other son. After a while he wanted off and the girls had another fast rough ride. I was surprised Abby held on so well. She is pretty competitive and I am sure she wanted to outdo Avery. Ha! I love that they are not scaredy cats and are adventurous. I guess that could be bad at times, but for the most part it makes for some exciting times.

Abby got swimmers ear a couple days after this. It was ironic having to call the doctor's office (Marlyn Landrum is their pediatrician) to see if they could call in a prescription for ear drops for swimmers ear that she probably got from being at her doctor's house on the lake. Ha!

Wes and Jennifer cooking our burgers and dogs.

Caitlin and the girls riding on the boat.

Hunter and Steven enjoying the boat ride.


Hayden, Landon, Hunter hanging on.

Several of the high school gang.


Abby, Avery, Austin, and Christian playing together.


Haley and Brandon taking a break from the water.


Austin, Abby, and Avery getting ready to go for a ride.

Alone Time and Great Wolf Lodge

Last Friday, Wes left for Wilderness Trek. Originally, I had planned on going, but I decided I wanted to spend more time with the girls. Seven days is a long time away. Summers are going to be even more precious since Abby starts Kindergarten in the Fall.

Avery and Abby got to spend two nights with Nana and Paw Paw. They had a great time playing, swimming, going to the movies, and attending a Ranger game.

While they were gone, I took advantage of the time to get a ton of things done. I ran errands, packed for our trip to the Great Wolf Lodge, and went through lots of the girls clothes and my clothes. I also organized their toys better. (Avery thanked me when she got home.) So far they have not asked about any of the toys I donated/threw out. And believe me, there were a lot. It had been a while since I had done this and there were just so many things they were not interested in anymore. I love the feeling of being organized and clutter free. Call me crazy, but that is just me.

It sure was quiet around the house while everyone was gone. It was nice to just have a few days to myself during a summer of lots of trips and activities.

On Sunday, I met up with Carrie, Sybil, Avery and Abby. We got to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge for 3 days, thanks to Sybil. She got a gift certificate to go there from her aunt for her birthday and she invited us to go along. It was great to see Sybil and Carrie again and a real treat to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge with them.

Here is a description of our suite:

KidCabin® Suite

Give the kids their own Northwoods log cabin nestled within this larger family suite. The cabin houses a bunk bed, day bed and their own TV, so they can “rough it” with movies and Nintendo. In the main room, adults can sprawl out on a queen bed and full-size sleeper sofa. They get their own TV too, presumably for movies and Nintendo as well.

It was perfect! All three girls enjoyed their "cabin" and frequently reminded us that it was for kids only. Ha!

The majority of the time outside of our room was spent at the water park. The lazy river was a favorite, for sure. We also slid down many rides including the River Canyon Run, which was my personal favorite. We all got to slide down this huge slide together in a raft.

We also did the MagiQuest where we had wands that opened treasure chests and made objects and pictures speak to us all over the hotel.

One night we went to the Rain Forest Cafe. The girls were fascinated by the moving animals and rain.

Waiting for Story Time down in the lobby.

Going through the Lazy River. Abby kept getting ahead of us. I think she thought it was a race. Hhhmmmm, I wonder who she gets here competitiveness from?

Waiting for the waves to start in the Wave Pool.

We love you!

Hi Mom!

Here the girls are making their best wolf impersonations.

Hanging out on the floating beaver.

All in all, we had a terrific time with our friends. We will see them soon when Sybil gets to come stay with us for CTW. Thanks again, Sybil!

Slumber Party!

Tuesday night, I had the middle school and high school girls over for a slumber party. We had fun, fun, more fun, and a little bit of sleep! Karissa, our wonderful intern, did most of the planning. We ate pizza and other goodies, played Sardines, Capture the Flag, Curses, Catch Phrase, and Little Sally Walker (this chant was stuck in my mind forever). We also decorated T-shirts, and watched a couple of movies. I was still wide awake at 4:30 am. There was one other girl awake, too. I don't know why I was. I am usually out way before that during a slumber party. Usually the girls only stay awake until 1:00 am or so. They were still going strong at that point. I woke up at 9:30 to start making cinnamon rolls for everyone. I wish you could order donuts like you can pizza. Needless to say, I was just a little out of it that day. I didn't take a nap. I just hung in there all day. Thankfully Avery and Abby have been sleeping in until 9:3o or so. They played quietly and let me sleep until 10:30 the next day, so I caught up on my sleep.

Anyways I really enjoyed hanging out with the girls! They are a lot of fun and super creative. They are also pretty darn sneaky when it comes to Sardines and Capture the Flag. Luv ya PACOC gals!

Shelby, Huntington, and Lindsee working hard on their T-shirts.


Shiloh, Avery, Sierra, Haley, and Dakota painting away.


Jordan, Kayla, and Cina hard at work.



Caitlyn, Alison, Brinlee, and Karissa goofing off.


Funny faces girls!


Karissa and Madie.


These girls wore their shirt to church the next night! They are very talented artists!

P.S. Thanks Karissa for letting me use some of your pictures you took.