Kenedy's Beach Party

Well, Kenedy finally got to celebrate her 6th birthday.  I had to squeeze her party in at the end of June because this has been the busiest month ever for us!  This year she chose a beach theme and I'm glad she did, because it was a scorcher!  We were lucky to have a little breeze most of the afternoon, though.  I think everyone had a good time!  I know my three kiddos did.  I asked Kenedy on the way home what she thought of her party and she said, "It was fun, but I think I overdid it."  And I think that pretty much sums up our thoughts on the entire month of June!

My Birthday Girl and Her Adorable Cake (Thanks, Aunt Lisa!)

The Water Slides

The Pinata

Searching for Seashells

Opening Presents - WOW!

More Water Fun

The Famous Rope Swing

Kenedy - She's Fearless

Hadyn - She's Cautious

Daddy - He's Dangerous

Hudson had a Blast!

And then he Crashed

I love parties, but I wish they didn't represent the fact that my kids are growing up!  Hudson's is just around the corner, but I need him to stay little for a little while longer...

I Love Baby Showers!

I'd rather be the Guest of Honor at a baby shower, but I love hosting, too!  We had the shower here on Saturday for Mary, John's youngest sister, who is expecting a little princess in August.  They are living in Tennessee, so she had to travel farther than anyone.  Thanks, Mary!  We loved catching up with her and the rest of her extended family, whom we don't see often enough!

The Hostesses (Taylor, Liz, Aunt Katy, Andi, Emilee, Mary, Kristi, Janey & Myself)

Mary with My Girls

The Necessities

Cousin Stephanie, Liz, and Aunt Katy

Kristi Sharing Some Pointers with Mary

Andi and Avery (I think)

Getting in Some Practice

We can't wait to meet little Miss Maddie McPherson (love that name)!  Mary, if you decide to let me keep her here in Texas, I'll bring her to see you once a month.  Just let me know...

SIX Going on Sixteen!

Well, as hard as I tried to stop time, June 16th is here and my first-born turned SIX years old!  I can't believe it.  Six sounds so much older than five... and I remember five seeming so much older than four... I hope I'm not the only Mom out there who really and truly does not want her kids to grow up?!

Anywho, Kenedy had her choice of activities for the day and I already knew we were going to Sea World, because she decided that back in February on Hadyn's birthday.  We got up early to beat the heat (but we didn't) and headed to S.A.  Lyndsi kept Hudson because he would not have been a happy camper there.

This first picture is kind-of funny!  Hadyn was excited to spot Shamu right when we got there.  And then we noticed the long line in front of him.  I didn't want to disappoint, so we got in line and after about 15 minutes, the girls went up to say Hi and I got "the pic."  As we were walking off, she said, "That's just a man in a Shamu costume, right?"  I said, "Yes."  She said, "Why do people want to take a picture with a stranger?"  I said, "Well, I guess I don't know."

It is a cute picture, though!

Poor John lost the toss and had to wear the Fanny-Pack

First Stop:  Feeding the Dolphins (Stinky, but Fun)

Shamu's Roller Coaster (It had been a while and Hadyn was a little nervous!)

Not until I saw this next picture did I wonder, why didn't John ride???

Edited to Add: (For those of you who already read this once, John thought this sounded like a racial comment. Not at all did I mean it that way. I actually asked this little boy if she could sit with him because she was by herself. I just meant all four of us could've ridden. I'm now thinking that it's because Hadyn is new to roller coasters and we're just used to having to take turns sitting out with her. OK. Just had to clear that up!)

Just Me and My Girls

Shamu, My Favorite!

Kenedy's Dream Job (I believe she might actually go for it!)

The Tour Guides

Off to the Water Park (Camera is not waterproof, so no pictures there!)

Souvenirs (Hadyn upgraded Kenedy's Sea Lion as a Birthday Gift from her.  So sweet!)

10 Minutes Later... the Birthday Girl Crashed

After swim lessons, Momo, Liz, Shawn, Dylan, Taylor and Brady surprised Kenedy with a little birthday party at our house.  I knew they were coming, but I told her as we were leaving swim lessons that her birthday was over and it was time for bed.  She said, "I didn't even get any cake."  When we drove up to the house, they were already there and she was so excited!  She said, "I think I'm going to cry!  I am crying!"  And she really did have tears in her eyes.  She's such a sweetheart!

Glad I had a cake in the fridge!

Hudson insisted on staying up for the party!

I'll be shedding more "Birthday Tears" for this little guy in a couple of months!

I Love a Good Family Reunion!

We had so much fun this past weekend at our family reunion (on my Mom's side).  It was at Lake Travis this year, and although the lake was incredibly low, we had a blast skiing, tubing, swimming, and just catching up with everyone!

Launching the Boat

Hudson and Uncle Brad

Rinsing off that Pool Water

If the water level was at normal depth, I would've been underwater where I'm standing there taking this pic!

Our Condos (The Island on Lake Travis)

Hudson's 1st Boat Ride - He loved it!

Cool, Calm, and Collected

The Girls - Kenedy, Blaire, and Hadyn

A Quick Flashback of the Girls from the 2008 Reunion

John Wakeboarding

Kenedy Kneeboarding

Hadyn, Lisa, and Brayson Enjoying the Hot Tub

The Poker Tournament

Sorry, Mom!  If you don't play, you gotta babysit!

Avery and Alex (left to right - LOL!)

Cousin's Pizza & Ice Cream Party at the Pool

And then a Game of Water Football

I think Brayson Overdid It!

Double Dutch in the Courtyard

WooHoo!  Go Kenedy!

The Non-Jumpers

Kristi and I had to Show them How It's Done!

There were no Shortages of Babysitters for the Twins - Josie and Dava

Hudson and Mom

Lisa and Brayson

Hudson, Silly Little Boy

Ryne, The Dragon Slayer

Kenedy and Hallie

Hadyn and... Alex?  Avery?  Sorry, Kristi!

More of My Little Cutie Patootie

All Dressed Up for the Saturday Night Dinner & Dance

Kaci, Lori & Kolton (And a Twin!)

Kristi and Kenedy - Nice and Sun-Kissed

Dad and Kenedy

John and Hadyn Dancing the Night Away

Hudson and Blaire

The Girls Singing in the Talent Show (Taylor Swift, of course!)

Best Buds - Kenedy, Hayes & Hadyn

The Cousins

We took our good friend, Ashley with us this year.  Her and Blaire are less than a month apart and I knew her and Kaci would have fun with another girl their age.  She comes to visit us with our babysitter sometimes, and she's wonderful with the kids.  We're so glad she went with us and we hope she'll join us next year, too!  Thanks, Ashley!

We had so much fun!  And we already can't wait for next year's!