Pine Cove 2017

This summer, my big girl took off to camp for a whole week.  It was hard on her momma and daddy, but she didn't skip a beat!

packed up and ready to go

her bunk

saying "bye" to Sis

Edy had fun at Day Camp but was happy to sleep in her own bed each night!

AG has decided she wants to go back year after year!  *YIKES!*

Swimming

For Christmas, the family gave us a pool. Read more.

We have loved the pool.  

Fourth of July

It would've been nice if I had remembered to post our Fourth of July right after the Fourth of July. Didn't happen.

Better late than never....

We woke up to rain and some of our plans were delayed so we hopped in the car and drove down to Buc-ees...

Once the weather cleared, we came home and hung out in the pool and cooked out and had a blast hanging out with KK.

It wouldn't be the fourth without a family pic...

It wouldn't be the fourth without a walk down memory lane...

The day we were engaged:  July 4, 2002

Good to be Home.

This summer has been crazy FAST!  I've been traveling a lot, cleaning and purging the house, gearing up for CC, and preparing for the upcoming school year.  Fortunately, I am done with the traveling and I've had a few days to CHILL!  It's been nice.  The girls are loving the down-time, too.

Big news:  Graham is starting his doctorate.  Lots and lots of reading, writing, and studying happening around here. 

 JoJo and Edy playing iPad

My sweet AG is just one month away from turning NINE!

It's good to be home.

Hey Everybody, It's Pool Time!

This past Christmas, the grands and aunts gave the girls a big 'ole swimming pool!  

Back in April, we had a little help from friends to get it ready for our excited crew.

The girls did the "polar bear plunge" and jumped in immediately after it filled up.  They were SO excited to try it out that they really, really thought they could power through the pain.  *Didn't happen*

If you keep up with the weather, you know that it has been raining like crazy in East Texas.  We are looking forward to hot, sunny days to enjoy our new pool.

I wrote this post a few weeks back and I wanted to add this:  This little 18ft, 4ft deep pool is basically  a gateway drug to bigger and better things!  We love the pool so much that we are certain we will eventually get a professional-grade above-ground pool.  It has been a blast for the whole family.

Five on Friday | Phone Photog

This Five on Friday is all about iPhone photography...

| ONE |

a foggy country road in East Texas

*in front of our house*

| TWO |

junkin' with AG

 | THREE |

good day.

 | FOUR |

one more because...new shirt

| FIVE |

sister and banana pops

| ONE MORE |

coloring contest with the girls--I won.

Plant. It.

Have I told y'all how bad I am with plants?  YEP!  I am terrible.  Each and every spring, I bring home a whole bunch of beautiful flowers and expect them to flourish.  What's the definition of insanity again?  Alas...I did it again.  This time, I did a little more studying and my plants are still hanging in there.  

I planted all of my flowers in April and I haven't killed any yet!  I HAVEN'T KILLED ANY YET!!!!  I HAVEN'T KILLED ANY!  It's still early in the summer, but I am optimistic.  I'll keep you posted.

random pic of my bathing beauty

Back in April, I spruced up our porches for the spring and summer months...

got me a $12 dollar piece of junk coffee table

just a little paint

The plants look much better now that they have been growing for a few months.  I may update later on this summer.

Did I mention that we live in East Texas--the no. 1 best place for plant life?  We shall see if this climate and my newly mad skills will keep those plants thriving.  *crossing fingers*

Pine Cove | Camp in the City

Last week, Ava Grace went to camp for the first time ever!  She had a BLAST!

I went to summer camp every single year from 5th-11th grade.  I absolutely loved it, looked forward to it every summer, and made some lasting friendships.  I hope my girls will have wonderful memories from camp life too.

Pine Cove Gauntlet from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

AG and her camp counselor, "Tot".

Pine Cove Closing Celebration from Leslie Hale on Vimeo.

My girl had so much fun, but her sisters were lost without her during the day.  We are already making plans for Edy to go to day camp next year and AG to try overnight camp.  YIKES!

a wonderfully lazy Sunday