Summer 07

With temperatures still in the 90's it's hard to believe, but for all practical purposes, summer is over for another year. With the start of school, the lazy days filled with sleeping in, sun, and swimming are gone-- replaced now with the flurry of school activities, homework, and schedules that once again require a clock. I am not the mom waiting for the school doors to open. Every year I lament the start of school with the realization that someone else will be spending more waking hours with my children than I will. Of course, there is anticipation of all that my kids will learn and experience, but a little bit of my heart goes with them as they pass through the school doors and I start to count the days until our next summer together.

This summer began with Nolan's 2nd birthday on May 24.
What a big boy!

In the middle of the summer, we celebrated as Carson turned 7 on

July 7.

7 on 7-7-07. Not many people will ever have a birthday like that!

Here he is cheering on FC Dallas with some of his best friends.

We wrapped up the summer with Laiken's 9th birthday on August 19. Pedicures and dinner with friends made for an unforgettable evening.

Amidst all the celebrations, big fun was had by all and, despite the rainiest June on record, we still managed to pack in a full summer of laughs and memories. Here's a sampling of how we filled our days....

Camps! Laiken went to Brownie Camp and both she and Carson went to the FC Dallas Soccer Camp. But, the most anticipated camp of all was Camp Huawni. This was Carson's first year and Laiken's second. Think cabins without A/C, mud fights, swimming in the lake, obstacle courses, and athletic competitions of all sorts. A week of total kid-friendly fun. Needless to say, they weren't ready to come home!

Girl's Night at the Dallas Museum of Art with live music and hands-on exhibits. A night of art doesn't get much more fun than this.

Tons of fun with family and friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Lambert's, Lulu's, go-carts, and plenty of sun and sand. We're enjoying the last few years of it's quaint feel before it becomes so overrun with tourists that it looks like Destin.

Nolan's first Roughriders' Game.

The home team lost, but we had

fabulous seats and the weather was perfect!

High School Musical 2 Party! As far as all 'tween girls were concerned, the most important event of the summer was the premiere of this movie! Ten kids, tons of food and drinks, a private viewing room, and enjoying it in their most comfy p.j.'s....priceless!

Indoor soccer. Both Laiken and Carson played summer soccer in the comfort of a climate controlled, indoor facility. I'm not sure that I can ever go back to soccer outside in the elements!

Plenty of swimming at Lifetime. Nolan wasn't crazy about swimming at the beginning of the summer, but he finally got over his fears and by mid-July, we couldn't get him out of the water.

Farrel and I got to escape for a week to the J.W. Marriott resort in Las Vegas. Relaxation at its best! We both agreed that we don't think we can ever stay on The Strip again. Neither of us missed the gaudy replicas of famous places or the shoulder-to-shoulder people. Instead, we got to enjoy the serenity of this luxurious resort.

Highly recommended for anyone needing to get away!