Jake's First Shave

Believe it or not, Luke filmed 13 minutes of Jake's first shave. We absolutely cracked up. Don't know why it was such a funny occasion, but the boys were pretty hysterical. At one point, when Lane was giving pointers, Luke said, "Reminds you of driving, doesn't it?" (We are in the throes of trying to teach this kid to drive!) The boys proceeded to recount all of the ways we have "taught" them to do various things (blowing out the garage, for instance) and they nailed it, as far as imitations go. Loved the laughter.

Dance Videos

Swing

This dance is for individual couples.

The Cumberland Reel.

Several moms joined in on this one!

The Patty Cake Polka.

In this dance, the guys stand in a circle facing outward and the ladies switch partners as they go around.

Love you all!

-Anne Marie

Swing Dance and Color Me Rad

 Hey guys! Anne Marie here. This morning, Mom and I walked/ran the Color Me Rad 5k. It was really fun! It was her third 5k and my first. It was a fun experience!

 Afterwards we went to Starbucks where I got an iced coffee and Mom got a frappuccino.

 Last night we hosted our homeschool group's first "Teen Trek" dance. We had an excellent turnout and everyone had a blast! We did swing, waltz, polka, and four or five different civil war square dances!

Two weeks ago my friends Amy and Jenna came over to help me plan out the order of dances and the night before the dance we put together our playlist - I couldn't have done it without their help!!

I tried to upload video, but it wouldn't load. Perhaps I'll try again tomorrow!

summer

 Cousin fun at Mena & Pop's pool!

 Toby did so well!!!

Father's Day

 Could not ask for a better Dad for our sons. So thankful and blessed!

 Loved this picture of Lane reading what the boys wrote in their card.

Enjoyed having Gabby with us for the weekend.

plays

 

I had one of Hannah, but it wouldn't upload:(

Happenings

 Time to Shine end of year Homeschool Banquet

 The girls did 2 plays with some friends today.....

Last Deer Picture - I promise!!

 Twins!!  We really enjoy seeing the babies.

Look What I Found!

Goodbye Nimitz Jr. High, Hello Permian High School

We enjoyed Jake's awards ceremony (that's his principal behind him). Jake surprised himself with being called to the front for the Top 10 - he was No. 6 out of 366 students (they average all grades from 7th-9th). He also received awards for Orchestra and American Legion Top 20.

First and last days of junior high. Where did the time go? We are so proud of Jake. While he definitely kept things lively at school, he somehow learned to balance his mischievous nature with the need to get serious and get to work when it counted.

Reynolds/Crowell Camping, and other fun times....

 We had a great time, the Crowells and Reynolds, camping at Lake Ouachita State Park.

 Hot Springs was fun, there were lots of places to see the spring water, there were also stations where you could fill jugs of spring water, there were LOTS of older people doing this.

 Thursday evening, we had to seek shelter at the bath house on two occasions.  Once there was a tornado warning, and the other time, severely high winds.  Above, I believe we are listening to "Interpreter (similar to a park ranger) Nicole" give us news from her radio.  She was very nice and helpful.  It was during this time that sweet Shelbs got sick, but thankfully, she was better by the next day.

 Below- we couldn't take an adventure without some education, so Corbin looked up the history of Lake Ouachita, and I read it to the kids, it was formed when a dam was made, and lots of other interesting stuff that I don't remember at the moment.

 Playing washers at the campground, loved watching these kiddos enjoy themselves!!

 Below- scenes from the Reynolds fun visit with the Smiths, and my sweet girl at her first formal banquet.