Summer Has Begun!

 Our summer started off as it most often does... 

a weekend at the lake for Memorial Day! 

 

A big tub of minnows can bring hours of fun!

Logan's first catch of the summer and I just happened to have the camera! LOVE his face!

There's was lots of jet-skiing and tubing fun!

LOTS of tractor riding!

And thanks to Papa ordering a big pile of red dirt to play in, there's was a ton of fun to be had!

The boys got this swing for Christmas and it's awesome! It's huge and super comfortable, and a lot of fun for all!

 

Papa put a lot of miles on his tractor that week!

If you don't know Ryan, he is OBSESSED with farms and cows! So, Debra's friend that raises cattle is one of Ryan's favorite people... especially since she lets us come at feeding time whenever we're in town! This kid would stay all day if we let him! It never gets old!

Driving the gator out in the pasture is serious business!

It wouldn't be summertime in Graham without some pictures of frog pokin'! Gotta love being a boy mom!!!

The joy in this face is delightful to me!

Three of my favorite dudes!

I love going to Graham! Seeing my kids explore and play in ways that they just don't get to do at home is always so fun... and I think that I have finished at least one novel every time I've been there in the summer! Reading in a hammock or chair with the lake breeze and my kids being entertained with family is a true blessing in my life! Let's just all agree that it's not the way life is on a day to day basis at home and the trips are very nice for mommy too!

The week after Memorial Day, Jeff's parents came back this way and Papa and Daddy (with a good dose of help from Andrew!) built our boys a fort! The coolest thing I've ever seen, right outta Papa's mind! No manual, no kit... just his creation and it's amazing fun!

Here's the start!

Second level's going up

A roof and a ladder!

My love taking a break... love his "working outside hat" and that grin continues to melt my heart- 7 years later!!!

With installing the slide, some testing had to be done!

But waiting to get to go again is never fun!

Still waiting...

Brother joined in on the waiting!

Wait no more... absolute awesomeness!

And the slide... see how it's lifted? Yeah, pretty fun to put the pool right there and splash right in! We had friends over for a play date and it proved to be lots of fun! Though with 6 kids between us, no pictures were taken! Oops! 

And because doing one big project in a weekend just wasn't enough, my dad came over to join in the fun and helped Jeff put up our new fence. Not the whole perimeter (as we like the open yard feel) but the fence blocks the boys from making their way around the whole house without mama! Yay for backyard safety! And I think it's pretty too! :-)