Summer List: Boat Time!

Going to the lake and riding on a boat made our Summer List this year as my dad had purchased a used boat over the winter. A few weekends ago, we were able to hit the lake for some water fun! It was the kids' very first boat ride (besides the ones at Disney World). They had a blast and loved going FAST! 

Cayson loved jumping into the lake over and over and over! He came up with all kinds of ways to jump in and practiced diving.

Uncle Keith helped teach Cayson the basics of diving... and being silly!

Taryn is not quite as adventurous as her brother and needed a little help "jumping."

Cayson and Taryn both got to drive the boat... which was slightly nerve wracking for me! They were very good at tight turns (eek!) and going FAST!

It was a fun afternoon that equaled exhausted little kiddos! They cannot wait for another trip to the lake!

Friday Phone Dump

The past couple of weeks have been insanely crazy around here. It seems there is always somewhere to go or something to do. We have had fun with it all!


Dusty and I had two date nights last week! Unheard of around here. His parents watched the kids so we could go to a movie which was so much fun. It had been well over a year since we had been to the movies together. Then, the next night, I rode part of his shift with him while my parents kept the kids. I love riding along with him... it reminds me of our early marriage years pre-kids when I would ride for an hour or two so we could chat and catch up. I loved it.

We took a trip to the lake with my brother-in-law, Keith, on Sunday. It was the kids' first time on a boat at the lake... part of our Summer List. Both kids got to drive the boat and thought it was pretty awesome.

We had an early morning picnic of donuts at the park on Monday to beat the heat!

We made an early trip to the OKC Zoo on Tuesday. When we went in at opening, there were only two other people going in. So, we had the zoo to ourselves for awhile!

Taryn was quite exhausted by the time we made it to lunch... she fell asleep on Dusty's lap mid-meal.

Dress up time... always.

Wednesday morning, we had a playdate at the park with friends where Taryn managed to tumble down a slide and hit her head. She has a nasty bump and bruises. :(

Our crazy news as of late, Dusty accepted a new job through SWOSU. Today is his last day with the police department after nine and a half years on the force. He started at the police department 5 days before we married.

It is a little sad that this is his last day as a full-time police officer. We commemorated the day with photos by my sister this morning. I cannot wait to see her pictures! She got some awesome ones. Here are a few I snapped with my phone.

His mini-me

You all are going to think I am insane but I already ordered part of Taryn's birthday party stuff a few weeks ago from Zulily. It came in the mail this week and I am so excited! I figured it couldn't hurt to start planning now since things are so crazy come the week after Christmas when her birthday is! She will be having a princess themed party affair!

Just for fun

Our resident fish

Summer Adventures!

Several weeks ago, we took off for a day adventure to visit the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge including Mt. Scott, Medicine Park and finished it off with a swim at Crowder Lake. It was a busy and fun day!

First stop, Mount Scott. Cayson and Taryn were in awe of being on a "mountain." Mt. Scott boasted beautiful views that can be rare in western Oklahoma. The kids enjoyed hiking around some while I freaked out inside thanks to my extreme fear of heights. I was the mom pulling them away from the edges and keeping them "safe." Yes, I was a little nuts-o.

We visited the Visitor's Center at the refuge and saw the buffalo roaming about. I didn't take any pictures of the buffalo but we saw several. Hoping next time to see some of the elk!

I was freaking out a bit when Dusty was standing there. Heights just kill me!

Cayson brought his telescope to see

Taryn had binoculars, of course.

After the wildlife refuge, we headed to Medicine Park to explore a bit. Sadly, since it was a Tuesday, all the cute little shops were closed. We did enjoy walking along the creek taking in the pretty views.

There was a beautiful restaurant across from the creek front called the Old Plantation Restaurant. Delish! The service started out slow but it got better and the food was amazing! I had a grilled chicken sandwich, Dusty had a chicken fried steak sandwich and the kids shared a hamburger. Every single ounce of food was devoured! I want to go back just to eat there!

We headed back home after lunch and the kids napped in the car. We decided to stop off at Crowder Lake to let the kids get in the water since I had packed water gear. Cayson LOVED swimming in the lake... Taryn and Momma, not so much. I must say that I like my clean, chlorinated water!

I slipped when we snapped this pic... kind of funny!

It was an awesome day of making memories for our family! I hope my children look back fondly on their childhood and remember that their parents always loved them and supported them!

Splish Splash, Stayin' Cool

Despite crazy Oklahoma heat, we've been attempting to stay cool by getting wet! Weekly splash pad play dates have been the best along with swims in our pool.

Taryn and Gracie love to play side by side at the splash pad

Cayson loves when the bucket dumps on him. Quite the opposite of last year.

Cayson & Britton at the splash pad

Taryn cracked me up laying down while the boys plotted

Here's our little fish... always swimming! He loves the water! 

ICEES in the pool? Sure! This girl's got the life!

We've enjoyed snacks and meals poolside... less clean up for Momma this way!

 

Summer may mean extreme heat but to us, it means water fun!