Summer so far....

We have had a busy summer this year! Mark and Ryan have spent hours and hours helping Papaw with long overdue yardwork. Because of his mom's illnesses she was unwilling to let anything get done there. They are making up for years of neglect and its tough!

I have been decluttering our house, doing a few improvement projects and learning to crochet with thread. We've also rescued several dogs, all returned to their rightful owners thankfully.



(crochet flower ornament)


It has been ungodly hot here in east Texas this year! Most summers are hot but we've had temps well over 100 for at least 6 weeks now, with no end in sight. As of today, 72% of Texas is in extreme drought. Its not pretty. Crops have failed, livestock are dying, fires have destroyed acres upon acres of land. I am thankful we live in the eastern part of the state, so far no major fires here. Can't wait for some cooler temps though!



The kids have had a banner year for socializing! Sarah now has four neighborhood girls to hang out with, something she's never got to do before. Ryan had a huge birthday pool party in May and continues to entertain friends by the droves. Currently two friends are staying the week and a pasture campout will happen tonight with an additional several coming out for the adventure. The girls and I have plans for a spa night after we return from a marshmallow roasting visitation.


(one of about a gazillion cicadas so far this year!)


(Tibert isn't stupid)


(Mark resting on Papaw's porch at last weekend's work session there)


(assorted pots gathered from the yard)


(pulling vines out of the trees is hard work!)


(newly painted dining table!)


(fire from the boys night out in Papaw's pasture)


The day after Mark's mom's funeral, his dad told him who his biological mother is. So we have been finding assorted birth relatives for the past few weeks. Pictures as well as information have been provided from his aunt's family. These are Mark's biological maternal grandparents, he looks very much like his grandfather! My mom is a genealogy genius and has zipped his birth family all the way back to Jamestown and then some! It is fascinating to find out things that we've always suspected(a Native American ancestor) are actually true. Anyway, we have plans to meet his half-brother this fall when we visit my parents. One of his cousins lives 3 blocks from us and we will meet up with him soon too. It is neat for our kids to be able to know the biological ties to their ancestry.



(pool on a good day)


(this guy has the right idea!)