Chicago bound!

So, I still haven't downloaded our pictures from our August beach trip but I will get around to it soon enough. Lance and I celebrated our 8th anniversary on August 9th while down there...it's hard to believe it's been 8 years!! I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing and hilarious man who is my best friend.

We were able to share our trip with Lance's parents who made their first trip down there. And then some close friends of ours, the Adcox, joined us for the weekend. The weather was absolutely great and the water was clear and calm. I had never seen as much marine life while being there. The kids enjoyed seeing a LOT of blue crabs, star fish, sting rays and unfortunately lots of jelly fish. In fact, Kennedy got stung by one the last day we were there. Although we stayed for 10 days (and spent every day on the beach), we all didn't want to leave. Even Landon said, "Can we please stay for 6 more days!" I love how both our kids are enjoying beach time vs pool time. Kennedy spent more time in the ocean than she ever had!

While everyone else is gearing up for school to start, we still have a couple of more weeks before we go back to our mother's day out programs. Kennedy will be in the 3 year old pre-K and Landon will be in the 4 year old pre-K. I decided to take a quick trip up to Chicago to visit my college teammate and co worker at Tech. She coaches for the Chicago Sky WNBA team and their season is winding down. I have been wanting to catch a game all summer, but things have been too busy. Since she spends her fall, winter and spring in Russia, I never get to see her. And what a better excuse to go to Chicago!?! I am looking forward to some shopping and eating, that's for sure. Usually I have my parents help with the kids when i leave for several days, but this will be the most I will ever use a sitter. The kids will be in great hands with 3 different sitters and my in laws! Wish them luck!

July went flying by!

The month of July was fast, furious and filled with fun! I was in no mood for blogging and when I was, I didn't have my computer with me. July always means our annual trip to Arkansas to go camping around the fourth of July. This year, it was close to 55 of our relatives all on one lake. Most of the group was in cabins, while my family (plus a couple of more families) camped out at Pikeville. There is never a dull moment when it comes to our camping trips and my kids have a blast. Here are a few pictures to highlight our trip:

we played with cousins....

We sang and danced....

We jumped without hesitation...

We endured two storms (losing two awnings, tarps, toys, tents, one jet ski and almost tipped over the houseboat)....

And we enjoyed sunsets.....

After our camping trip, Kennedy and I took off to Denton so I can attend a basketball camp while she got to spend some time with my cousins, who absolutely adore her. Huge thanks to Mary and her family to put up with us during that week!

Immediately after getting back from Denton, I had my Hall of Hoops camp at Byrd HS. The kids stayed in Ruston while I drove back and forth each day. I was glad to get my camps going again after taking a few years off from it. I still do my private team camps, but doing a camp open to the public had been put on hold.

Let's see, what else happened in July???? Oh yeah! My sweet younger brother, Kip, got married!! What a big time event that was! Both our kids participated in the wedding and they did fantastic! It was a long weekend, but it was great visiting with family and watching a sweet couple say their vows. They seem so incredibly happy and everything was perfect.

Landon practicing being the ring "master"

Before the wedding...

During the wedding...

And after the wedding!!!

Cochran cousins

Jolly cousins (my mom's side)

And the happy couple...

Now, let's see if August can top that!