Adventures in Dog Sitting

We've been throwing around the idea of getting a dog for awhile.  We've even been on a waiting list since November!  Still no puppy at our residence.  Our good friends went on vacation and needed some pet care.  The Graham kids jumped and leaped with joy at the chance.

We were really going to have a dog in our care for 12 days!

Introducing Libby!

She was the best dog, the first night we tied her up to the door by her dog bed (as instructed) and she started to wimper and whine.  She wanted nothing to do with her bed, she much preferred the kids beds upstairs.  She wasn't picky, she'd go from bed to bed each night. The kids were so excited to walk her and even clean up her poop.  They all argued over who would get to clean it up each walk.  They loved feeding her cheese to watch her do tricks and loved to show everyone who would come around.  Bath time and hairstyling was also an adventure.  

Libby loved her walk in the rain and watching the kids race colored pencils.

Chris, Charlotte and Rozlyn dedicated their time and talents to bring you the "Where's Libby" photoshoot!

Whoever gives the best belly rubs wins!

Favorite spot in the house, right under Mallory's chair.

Our main goals was to keep her alive and not lose her in 12 days.  We succeeded with only 2 scares.  The first time we ever left her home alone she was tied to the door.  After our errands we came home and there was no Libby by the door.  She'd gotten lose and helped herself around the house, just roaming around with her leash on.  Incident two was when we were going swimming.  We were all very careful to never open the garage door while the door to the house was open to the house.  She got out and made a run for it.  Imagine 6 Grahams in swimsuits chasing her down the road.  It was a sight.  

Libby was the best, she never barks, bites, chews, we love her!  She almost convinced us that we can't get our own dog because of the high standard she set.  Chris has promised us that no dog would behave as well as Libby.  (Mallory would pick her up non stop and pack her around and she would just do a little growl to show she was annoyed - that's it!)

So instead of being future dog owners, we might become future pet sitters.  Get the dog, enjoy the dog, play with the dog, give back the dog.  

Thanks for the good times Libby!

Worst Bike Ride

For the kids summer goals, Mason and Rozlyn have to do a bike ride, Mason = 5 miles.....Rozlyn = 10 miles.
Chris usually takes them but had a baptism to conduct so I was the escort.  We got a little bit of a late start before we hit the trails and left with empty stomachs, the same way I do it when I run.
Rozlyn was speedy quick and would ride ahead until she hit a fork in the road and wait for Mason and me to catch up.  Time was going quickly by, and the sun was getting brighter and hotter.  I gave the kids some water and Rozlyn immediately started throwing up.  It was so sad.  A bicycler guy pulled up next to us and asked if we needed help and if we were okay.  I'm so happy for the good people in the world.  There was a grocery store not to far away that we were going to make our way to.  I texted Chris "come find us when you're finished with the baptism, Rozlyn is throwing up on the side of the road".  I didn't think he'd have his phone or check it until after it was over so I didn't think it was a big deal to send it.  During the break is when he received the text so he had that to worry about for the next 45 minutes not sure what to do.  We need to come up with some emergency signal ratings.

Luckily the kids had decided that they were going to ride to the donut store that day, so they each had packed a few dollars, which is great because I never take money with me.  It was just enough to get them some food they wanted from the store and take in the air conditioning for 45 minutes.  Rozlyn felt way better and wanted to finish riding home.  I was more determined to just wait for Chris to come pick us up.

We had just gotten back on the road when Chris said he was on his way.  I told him we were good before glancing over to see blood everywhere!  Mason had a bloody nose and apparently had it for a little bit before I noticed.  It looked like something way more exciting had happened to him then just riding his bike.  He doesn't like blood, at all.  So he would switch hands, then arms, then elbows, to whatever part of his body was still clean to try and plug his nose.  I told Chris to come find us and bring some wipes and tissues.

It was way more adventurous then I had bargained for.  Chris never gets to experience this kind of excitement.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to sit on the couch and read while Chris takes them out.

Schools Out for the Summer

I think there's a post with this same title every year.  This time it's not only out for the summer, Charlotte's not going back to that place.  I was prepared for tears and sadness - who was I kidding.  Charlotte is the most easy going carefree kid around.

Her last walk through the halls

Her last time to walk out of the doors a student

Doesn't she look so sad:(.  Or not.  

Mason is o"fish"ally in 2nd grade.  We had to hug Mrs. Lakin goodbye.  We loved her, even if he she did get married during the year and make every boy in her class give up the dream of marrying her someday.  She's switching schools and got a very affectionate and sincere note from Pete - Mason's friend.  It said "Dear Mrs. Lakin, I hope you hate your new school."  Apparently she told the kids that if she hated her new school she'd come back to Green.  

 End of the year festivities for Roz.  Here she is with Ashlynn- her closest 4th grade friend and classmate.

We LOVE Ms. Janasak!   

 That's a wrap on another great year.

Up next - this!  We have a lot of sleep to catch up on.  We're exhausted!

Graduataion

We have a graduate, an elementary school graduate!  It's been so fun to watch this little one through the last 7 years of school at Green.  Now it's on to bigger and better things.  Somebody slow down the time.  Please!!!

 We have a graduate, an elementary school graduate!  It's been so fun to watch this little one through the last 7 years of school at Green.  I'm so proud of how she's grown and who she's becoming and look forward to all the adventures that await!

 After the graduation we headed to lunch with a few of her favorite friends.  We snapped a few cute pictures of the girls, photo shoot style.  

Ereckson is in for a treat when these girls show up next fall.

The field is white already to harvest

Our families 6 future missionaries:

We are as the Army of Helamen.

We have been taught in our youth.

And we will be the Lord's missionaries

To bring the world his truth.

We have been born, as Nephi of old, 

To goodly parents who love the Lord.

We have been taught and we understand,

That we must do as the Lord commands

 We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."

We know his plan, and we will prepare,

Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.

Daily we'll learn until we are called

To take the gospel to all the world.

 D&C 4:4 For behold the field is white all ready to harvest;

Weekend Visitors

   My fun brother and sister-in-law came for a long weekend.  I get to see my brother from time to time because of his business trips but bringing Amy along, that was a real treat.  I couldn't have been more excited waiting for the big arrival.  The arrival was a little postponed due to some serious lightning/tornadoes (you've gotta love TX) but eventually Amy made it after 2am.  She was still up and rearing to go the next day - what a trooper.  We love visitors - and our weekend full of fun was packed to the rim. I had to give them the full Texas experience so we crammed in as much as possible. 

  I was so happy to see Amy the next morning!  I had written down a ton of things to do (tourist attractions, shopping, eating, messages, etc.) and told Amy she got to pick what we did the whole weekend. "The city was Amy's oyster".  Here were her picks:  

The 6th Floor Museum - touring it without kids was a dream.  Imagine being able to look at and read whatever you chose for as long as you want.  It was a first for me.  

Food trucks for lunch - 

Amy ordering up her greek.

Little Greek got our business that day

Rangers game - After both our husbands got done working for the day we loaded up the kids and headed to the Texas Rangers Stadium for a baseball game. We had a great time at the game. The highlight might have been piling into a pedicab instead of walking to the stadium.  A treat for us and the kids!

George Bush Presidential Library - it had only been opened 1 week when we got there.  I still thought that while the kids were in school on a weekday we'd be safe - whoa was it crowded.  I waited in line forever but it was worth.  We had to get it in while our fam was here.  It had lots on his controversial win over Al Gore with the infamous 'hanging chads' and a great memorial for 9/11. It had the actual bullhorn that he used when he talked to the first-responders the day after the attack and lots of other tributes and memorabilia. It had tons from his years in office - from foreign policy, to his dog, to dresses Laura wore on different occasions. Everything was extremely state-of-the-art and wonderfully done. It was an awesome museum.

 



Chris's office - next on the tour was this quick stop.  Of course there were treats and snacks:-).

 Twisted Root for dinner - This is one of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives places. It was really fun. They have a bunch of different meat options - beef, bison, ostrich, and kangaroo (Derek and Chris got kangaroo). When you order at the counter they give you a name card with your new funny name that they yell when your order is ready. 

The Office Season Finale - the final show we got see with our guests, which was fitting because we've laughed a lot about the show with these two over the years.   

Cowboy Stadium - Of all random things, it was cheerleader tryouts that day.  Now Chris can say, he's attended Cowboy Cheerleader Tryouts.  

  

 

 

 Babe's Chicken for lunch - our family favorite had to be shared!  My dad would be so proud.

Fort Worth Stockyards. - We saw the cattle drive, rode the mechanical bull, competed in the cow pen maze (we learned that mazes are not Chris and I's strength) and watched Derek interact with a new friend.  It was a hot day (as in 90 degrees with 90% humidity) but we were all smiles for the whole day in Fort Worth.  .

 

Charlotte won this awesome suction toy from the maze.  This look didn't end pretty.........she had bruises everywhere she had put that thing.  

D.K.'s new friend.  We got some good laughs out of that.  

Girls on the streets of Fort Worth.  

 

 Top Golf - This was kind of the finale to the weekend.     

The place was packed on a Sat. night.  We got there about 9:00 Saturday night and were told we would have a 2.5 hour wait.  Now, this made us think ... start golfing at 11:30 night - but we did it because we're fun and awesome and not old and boring.  

waiting, and waiting and waiting.  

    

 In our bay.   

 I love us!

 

After the action packed super fun weekend.....the saddest thing happened.  They had to leave Sunday morning.  Hurry and come back guys!  We loved our weekend with you!

That's so Mason

Mason is always giving us good laughs.  He amuses himself and all those around him.  His 1st grade teacher said that she likes to keep Mason close by for comedic relief.
On our recent cruise he was fascinated with all the employees name tags and where they were from.  He was finding as many countries as he could.  At dinner one night someone asked Mason where he was from - without thinking he confidently said America.  Then when we all laughed and they asked him which part of America - his answer was "The North". I guess "Texas" never occurred to him.
Mason is my missionary - he kindly told his teacher that I wouldn't make it to the mother's day tea because I don't drink tea.  I told him that I was going and would be happy to have water.  Then today for teacher appreciation week the kids are supposed to take in a new or gently used book to add to their teacher's bookshelves.  Thinking of possiblilities  Mason said "How about the Book of Mormon".  True - Mrs. Lakin might not have one.  I told him that it's a little difficult of a book for a 1st grader to get through.
I wish I had his courage - maybe I just should have done it.  I'm sure she would have been really appreciative.

Disney MAGIC

We just returned from our most heavenly Disney Cruise Vacation.  I planned this last January - forever ago and waited 1.5 years to see it through.  My expectations of awesomeness were high - and they were exceeded.  We had my parents and Chris's mom with us.  QGT.  Quality Grandparent Time.  The kids were so happy the whole time.  We made it 10 days meltdown free, there was nothing to be sad about with the all you can eat, no homework, no chores, no music practice, no bedtime, no schedule routine that was ours on the cruise.  The most angry anyone got was Mason at each and every show that he wasn't selected to go on stage.  That kid really wanted to be on stage - a lot.  I'm going to make a photo book filled with the 400+ photos from the trip but here's a few highlights.
All cleaned up on formal night.

 Mason did make it on the stage - and in his glory and spotlight preceded to pick at his feet that were previously in his shoes without socks on.

 Belle and Belle.

 Our awesome character breakfast with our awesome hats.  

 Deck dancing

 So happy to be sailing away.  The sail away party is so fun because you're having a really great time and look over and see that the ship is finally moving - Yay!

 All things Mickey - including the ketchup, the waffles and best of all the Mickey Bars.

 

 Deck 4 so a whole lot of us.  My kids loved shuffleboard.

 Resting and relaxing - there were a lot of games played at this table.

 Towel animals every night.

 Bumping into characters walking through the boat was so fun.  This Minnie was particularly fond of Rozlyn - she got a lot of kisses from her.

 I wish I could freeze these moments - three princesses stumbling across each other at a port hole.

  One of our many character breakfast shots.  Complete with our napkin hats.

 Room Service!!  Mason called up the line all by himself and ordered himself a cookie and milk.

 Pirate night - Arrrgh

Dining and Tic Tac Toe with a real pirate!

 A tired pirate watching the deck party pirate and firework show.

  Nestled into a comfy place.

 Animator's Palate where the room starts out in black and white and transforms into full color while you're eating.

 What's a cruise without the seafood buffet.  Chris and my mom were the only takers.

 There are round the clock disney movies and cartoons on the cabin T.V.'s Heaven if you're a Graham kid.

 Ship Mates.

 I got to shake his hook.  It was real and attached.

 This is what our goodbye looked like.  Kicked to the curb and so sad.

Before the cruise we said it was a once in a lifetime - now we're all begging to go back and do it again. It was a perfect vacation for our family.  Disney really knows how to do it.  The service was amazing and the attention to the kids was so great.  The shows and entertainment were all family friendly and outstanding quality - it was so fun to do everything together.  The perfect blend of excitement, busyness, restfulness, beaches, amusement parks, sunrises and sunsets, but mostly quality family time.