Chalk Paint, Go-Karts & Grandparent Time

Summer is going SO FAST!  I can't believe tomorrow is August 1st.  :(

I mentioned back here that we had a mudroom cabinet built.  Based on the colors in our wallpaper, we decided on Annie Sloan Olive and Chateau Grey.  I finally finished painting the cabinet and Lane somehow moved it into the space...with NO room to spare!  They fit just right.  I bought cork boards for each space (package of 4 from Staples) so that I could pin party invitations, school notes, reminders, etc. for each of the kids.  We are super happy with how they turned out!  I think it will be so nice to have this organized area when the school craziness starts.

Baskets from Target and printables for first day of school photos from HERE.  

I'm ready for a break from chalk paint, but I'd already bought Emperor's Silk for this cabinet in Crosby's room so I had to do it!  It only took one night though--much easier than the lockers.  

Okay, now I'm taking a break from chalk paint!  I had red left over so I painted the shape of Arkansas on four pieces of old barn wood that I got from my parents' house.  Dad cut them and nailed them together for me when I was home a while back.  I think we'll hang it in R's room.

The kids and I made a quick overnight trip to Mom & Dad's on July 17th so that Rhett could go to some of the Ranger Boats annual dealer meeting events with Dad and we could celebrate Mom's birthday (a few days late).  We had lots of fun there, as always!

Dad & Rhett on their way to the business dinner:

We also had a great time doing things around the farm:

Aunt D gave Crosby a ride on the tractor...

...the kids helped Mom feed

...they played in the barn

...played with Aunt D's kittens

...and we picked blackberries and made a cobbler.

While Dad and Rhett were at their dinner Thursday night, Mom, Crosby, Alexee and I went to eat Mexican food.

:)

*****

One evening when Lane was off work we went to ride go-karts at The Track--the kids loved it!

The bumper cars were especially fun!  Rhett was tall enough to drive his own car, Alexee rode with Lane and Crosby rode with me.

*****

Then Lane's parents came to visit July 20-23rd.  It was great having them here!  Sunday night Lane grilled steaks for us-yum!  The kids had swim lessons in the mornings, M-W, so Grammy & Bobba got to see them swim one day.  We ate lunch at The Landing on Tuesday then went to the Table Rock visitors center.  They also took the kids miniature golfing twice, once at Pirate's Cove and once at Dinosaur Canyon!  And we went out for ice cream one afternoon--such a fun week!

Enjoyed a trip to the Keeter Center:

Table Rock Lake

I loved this picture of them!

Grammy & Bobba, thanks for coming to see us!!!

Another Cave, Water Activities & Friends

This was our second cave tour this summer, and it was nice because you get to ride through it in a Jeep!  :)

Cave formations and the kids in the gift shop's bat hats

One afternoon I took the kids to the water park.  They loved it!  I was afraid Crosby wouldn't want to do many of the activities, but I was wrong.  He has really gotten more comfortable with water this summer.  We started with the wave pool, then did the lazy river several times, the small water slides/splash area, then Rhett rode the new water slide by himself.  We plan to go a few more times before summer ends!

On July 12th we had friends in town from LR.  It was great to see them!  The kids played so well together, and we just had a lot of fun catching up.  We miss them!

 I tried to send the guinea pig home with her, but it didn't work.  :)

 Sweet group of kids!

 After dinner they wanted to catch fireflies.  Our yard here is full of them!

On July 14th the kids started their two weeks of swim lessons.  They were excited about going swimming every day, and the instructors were super nice and helpful. 

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July!  Lane worked the 3rd and the 5th, so we made a quick trip to my parents' house on the 4th.  First we went to the cabin for the afternoon.

The perfect place to spend any day:

Lane's first trip to my hometown was 14 years ago, 4th of July weekend.  We went to the cabin that weekend, too.  (I should try to find pictures from then...but it was pre-digital)  It's hard to believe that much time has gone by!

 A fun game of horseshoes with Micaela & Mario:

                                     

That evening we had dinner with my Mom's side of the family.  I took Golden Grahams S'mores and slaw.  Grandmother made fried pork chops and fried squash--yum!  We had lots of great food.

                          

S'mores:

8

cups Golden Grahams™ cereal

5

cups miniature marshmallows

1 1/2

cups milk chocolate chips

1/4

cup light corn syrup

5

tablespoons butter or margarine

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

cup miniature marshmallows, if desired

• 1Into large bowl, measure cereal. Butter 13x9-inch pan. In large microwavable bowl, microwave 5 cups marshmallows, the chocolate chips, corn syrup and butter uncovered on High 2 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds, stirring after every minute, until melted and smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla.
• 2Pour over cereal; quickly toss until completely coated. Stir in 1 cup marshmallows.
• 3Press mixture evenly in pan, using buttered back of spoon. Let stand uncovered at least 1 hour, or refrigerate if you prefer a firmer bar. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered at room temperature up to 2 days.

Lane & Alexee; Aunt Rhonda & A

Mom & Aunt Linda; Grandad & Grandmother

One of the kids' tables...they like having lots of (second) cousins to play with.

Fun on the slip & slide:

Love time with family:

water balloons!

After dark we caught lightning bugs and Mom made root beer floats.

On the 5th of July...
My sister and I took all the kids to pick blackberries.

Mom & Mario rode horses, then we stopped by so the kids could ride for a little while too.

Jeryn & Rhett worked on a trailer with Dad.  Loved this picture of them together.

Then they all decided to do a patriotic performance for us.  (My Country Tis of Thee)  Jaiden played it on the piano, Rhett looked up the chords for the guitar (and wrote them out on a pizza box) and the other kids sang.  :)  Thankful for our country, our freedom and sweet memories made this holiday weekend.