July 4th Weekend 2015

This year, much like we usually do, we went back 'home' to Southeast Texas for the Fourth of July weekend.

We spent most of July 4th swimming at Wayne & Tracey's house.

When it was time to go, this girl did not want to leave the water or the dogs.

But this boy was ready to go back to MawMaw's & Granddaddy's to pop some

FIREWORKS!!

Alex was all about lighting the fireworks this year.

He would light them & then run back to admire his handy work.

Addy also lit a few fireworks, but she wasn't as into as Alex.

We had cones.

And big popping ones.

And of course, sparklers.

We also spent our 4th of July weekend doing another 'All American' activity, learning to shoot a gun!

Wayne took us to the gun range & we shot several different handguns

and an AR15!

My birthday is on the 5th, so we also celebrated my birthday over the weekend.

I celebrated with cookie cake

and dinner with some of my oldest friends! 

(And by oldest, I don't mean that they're ancient or anything, just that we've been friends for more than half our lives!)

With my goofball of a husband

and with a party for moi with some friends

and family.

It was a perfect hoilday weekend!

Frio River 2015

Last year we went on vacation to the Frio River.

Well guess what, we had such a great time that we decided to go there again this year!

We even stayed at the same place, the Oak Ridge Lodge

and Cabin.

It's located about 5 miles from Garner State Park but it feels like it's out in the middle of nowhere. It's totally secluded & has the most amazing views of the Texas 'mountains.'

This is the view driving into the 'neighborhood.'

And this is the view from the 2nd story balcony.

And you can see deer right outside the back door 

both day

and night!

While we were at the 'river house' (as Addy called it)....

We floated the Frio River.

We went to Garner State Park.

We had a big birthday party for Addy, Daddy, Clark & Aunt Susan.

The kids made arts & crafts during cousin camp.

We played games.

And put together puzzles.

We went swimming.

A LOT!

We roasted marshmallows

and ate smore's.

And we spent time with people that we love :)

And on the way home, we stopped & ate lunch at the world Texas famous Neal's Cafe!

That has this awesome view from the back porch!

Basically we had an incredibly relaxing week with the family!

Which was just what we all needed!