Hodge and Alissa

I just had to post this sweet photo of Hodge and his cousin Alissa. Alissa is my niece by marriage. She is Matt's sister's 1st daughter. Mikel and Aaron have 3 girls, Alissa, Maggie and Kaylee, and one more on the way. They are naming her Summer.

I have to share a cute story about Alissa. When she was three I told her that I was so happy I married her uncle Matt because that made her my niece. I said to her, "Alissa if I had not married Matt I never would have known you." Alissa said, " Yes you would have because I would have married you." That is so sweet and so Alissa. She will be in the 6th grade this next year and she is growing up so fast. I am helping coach her Greater Midland Football League Cheerleading squad this fall. This will not only help Mikel out because she will have a new baby but it will also be fun for me. I love working with this age group and teaching cheerleading!

Friends, Family and Fun at Lake Leon

This past weekend we had a lot of fun at the lake! We drove down Friday and the Tranum family came down Saturday. Hodge had so much fun playing with Tucker and Cash! Sunday Hodge played so much that he took a three hour nap. He never naps this long. Sunday evening we went to Mary's Cafe with Mikel, Aaron and the girls. We had some good chicken fried steak and a great time at dinner!

Hodge on the dock eating chicken salad and crackers! This is one of his favorite things to eat!

Hodge swimming with his Yaya and Taedaddy!

Kaylee, Maggie and Alissa

The Tranum boys and Hodge

Summer road trip!!!

After the big 4th of July weekend we headed back to Midland for all of three days and were back on the road again. We went to Devine on July 9th to visit my sister who was coming in from California. We had a great time visiting my family in South Texas and seeing Hodge's Aunt Stacy. On Sunday, July 12th after our long weekend in Devine we headed off to who knows where. We got on Highway 173 headed out of Devine and Matt said to me, "Where should we go, the lake or back to Midland?" He even suggested going up to the Frio River. I even called The Frio Country Store to see if they had any cabins. Well, they did but not the ones we like to say in so we continued on 173 headed north. I had the idea I would post this on my Facebook and let my friends help us decide. I posted, should we go to the lake or back to Midland. Most people suggested the lake but my friend in North Carolina, Shannon Devine, who I had not seen in nine years suggested we come to NC. Well, we did!!! We ended up going to the lake to sleep on it. We also needed to water the grass so we can have a yard and not a mud pit as Matt calls it. We got on the road Monday, July 13th and headed to North Carolina. Here are a few photos from our trip to Devine, TX and our road trip to go visit the Devine family in NC. Yes, my friend's last name is Devine just like the town I grew up in. We really enjoyed our summer road trip and loved North Carolina! It is such a beautiful state filled with wonderful, kind people!!

Hodge checked cattle with Pawpaw.

Hodge loves his Memaw.

Hodge and his Aunt Stacy.

Hodge loves to take rides on Pawpaw's tractor.

The Kubota!

Monday morning at the lake before we left for our trip to NC! One day we will have grass on the hill!

On the road trip to NC! Crossing over the Mississippi.

Jack checking out the Mississippi River.

Hodge was asleep when we crossed the Mississippi.

Halle-Grace, my friends daughter, and Hodge playing on the bug!

We all loved Bojangles!!!

This is my friend Shannon Devine. We were on the Appalachian State Campus in Boone, NC.

On our way back from our day trip to Boone, NC.

Jack had an accident the last night of our trip but he received wonderful care from the Carolina Vet Specialists. Shannon's husband, Jason, was so kind and drove Matt and Jack late Thursday night to Charlotte so Jack could be seen by some the best Vets in the nation! Really, these veterinarians are amazing!! Jack bruised his neck and spinal cord and had really bad swelling. He could not walk for a few days. He is doing much better but we have to continue to give him his medication and keep him from running and jumping.

Our trip back to Texas.

We had a wonderful time and we are looking forward to our next road trip!

Hodge is 11 months old!

Hodge turned 11 months on July 5th! He loved playing in the baby pool with Maggie and Kaylee. It was a nice day, not to hot! Alissa got in the pool for the photo! Alissa is 11, Maggie is 5 and Kaylee is 3. Hodge just lights up when his girl cousins play with him!

6th Annual 4th of July Fandango!

Matt's family celebrates the 4th of July like it is Christmas! Matt's mother, Debbie (aka YaYa), was this years Fandango chairman. This was the biggest and the best Fandango by far! This year the festivities got started on July 3rd and ended late into the night July 4th. We had 3 meals a day on Friday and Saturday, I think they served about a 150 people. There was a lot of activities during the day, and a band on Saturday night. We had a lake baby birthday party for the 3 babies that were born last summer. Colton turned one late June, Emma will turn one late July and Hodge will turn one on Aug. 5th. Matt and I played in the volleyball tournament and Hodge watched the older kids have sack races. They even had a dunking booth this year! My parents attended this year and really enjoyed themselves. Hodge was teething most of the weekend but overall he did great. Hodge took part in everything he could and was a great lake baby. He stayed up really late on the 4th and enjoyed the band with the rest of the older kids. The decor was great, the food was wonderful and the band was amazing. I must say Hodge's first Fandango will be one to remember. Thanks Debbie for all your hard work and for making this year's 4th of July a great weekend

Colton, Clayton, and Hodge on the 1st day of Fandango!

Hodge and Kallie

Memaw gave Hodge a little trim!

Hodge needed to get ready for the big birthday party!

The birthday cake for Colton, Emma and Hodge, the Little Firecrackers!

The Lake Babies with their Great Grandmothers

Meredith, Jerrod and Colton Hill. Matt, Me and Hodge.

Amanda, Aaron and Emma Carpenter. Matt, Jerrod and Aaron are cousins.

Hodge loved his cake!

The annual group photo before the dance.

Matt's parents and his sister's and brother's family.

My parent's 1st Fandango!

Alissa, Maggie, Kaylee and Hodge

The Mack and Dyan Band

They were a great band!!!!

Hodge danced the night away. He stayed up so late!!

LaMancha Lake Ranch had their annual Fireworks display!

Lake Living!!!

We headed down to the lake on Saturday, June 27 and stayed until Monday, July 6. So what did we do with the days leading up to the biggest and the best 4th of July Fandango ever.............

Matt gave Hodge a bath outside. Why not take a bath outside, it is summer!

Hodge liked it!!!!

Hodge helped Matt get the lake house ready for the big weekend!

Hodge picked on Jack when he was trying to eat.

We decided Hodge needed a play area in the lake house. This was a good idea!!!

We did a lot of cleaning inside and around the lake house. Matt spent a lot of his time planting and watering bermudagrass on our hill. Hopefully it will take off and I can post some photos of the work that has been completed at our place. It is starting to come together! I got a manicure and pedicure one day in Eastland at a new nail place, it was great!!! I did a lot of shopping at WalMart but I have decided I want to start buying my groceries at Brookshires. Before Eastland had a Super Walmart I would always buy our food at Brookshires but once the Super Walmart opened I just stopped. I went into Brookshires to get something that Walmart did not have and I realized I missed small town grocery stores. I was raised in a small town and I like shopping with that small town feel! Do not get me wrong I will still be seen at the Super Walmart buying beach towels and bath mats but I just think I need to give Brookshires some business. So to all my family that spends their summers at Lake Leon try to drive downtown Eastland and shop at Brookshires, they will carry your grocery out to your car!