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!

Hodge goes for a swim in the lake!

Hodge went swimming in the lake for the first time on June 23. I had been holding out on getting him in the lake because the water was still a little cold. Well, with the 100 degree temps the water is just perfect. He loved it!!!! Hodge kicked his little legs nonstop the whole time he was in his baby float. He was such a happy baby and took a great nap after we got out the water. (Disclosure to my mom, Hodge's Memaw: Matt and I were very careful and safe the whole time Hodge was in the water.)

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to Matt! We spent Father's Day at the lake just relaxing and enjoying the day. Matt is a wonderful father and he does so much for Hodge. I cannot thank Matt enough for all that he does. He does things without me even asking, he just steps right in and takes care of Hodge. I forgot to take photos all day and remembered this as Matt was putting Hodge to sleep. Thanks Matt for everything!!!! Love you, Kim

Hodge figures out his toy!

This past Wednesday Matt was showing Hodge how his toy worked. This is a hand-me-down toy from his Aunt Mikel. I think those kinds of toys are the best. You can just keep passing them onto the next baby and you do not waste a lot of money. It is a Leap Frog baby toy. It does all kinds of things, alphabet, colors, shapes, songs and you can put different colored balls down the tunnel and it says the color. Well, Hodge has figured that out and this was the first day he started doing it. I think it is pretty cute! Enjoy the video.

10 Months Old!

On June 5th Hodge turned 10 months. This was our last day in Devine. We had a great week and had so much fun visiting with friends and family. Mom, Hodge, my mom's best friend, Mary Jo, and I drove up to Fredericksburg to meet Matt. Our plan was to meet halfway between Devine and Lake Leon.  Llano is really halfway but I got off late so we ended up meeting in Fredericksburg. Matt was already at the lake making sure our contractors were getting the work completed at our lake house. (This is another story, I will post later when all the work is completed!) This was the longest Matt and Hodge had been apart and they were very happy to see one another. We had a great lunch in Fredericksburg at a place called Kelly's cafe! We said our goodbyes and headed to the lake for the weekend.

My dad bought Hodge his first pair of Wranglers!

10 Months Old!!

Hodge was very happy to see his daddy!

Mema and Hodge saying goodbye! 

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A Devine Trip!

On Sunday May 31 Hodge and I went back to Devine, TX with my parents after they had been in Lubbock for the weekend visiting my brother and his family. They came through Midland so we could ride back with them to South Texas. The last time we visited everyone in Devine was Easter so it was time for us to make the trip down. I try to go back home about once a month but sometimes it is hard to make the trip. Hodge and I had a great time visiting family and friends. 

On Monday we went to visit my grandmother in Pleasanton, TX. I took this photo of Hodge and my mom (Mema) right before we left. Hodge was already pooped from his first morning in Devine. 

Hodge loves to visit Granny at her Assisted Living. 

After we got back from visiting Granny, my dad (Pawpaw) took Hodge on a golf cart ride!

This water tower is in the field behind my parent's house. I remember as a little girl when it was painted maroon and gold and they painted the Warhorse and the Arabian on it.

On Tuesday Pawpaw made Hodge spaghetti!

Hodge loved it!

We took a long walk and worked out a little on Tuesday afternoon.

 As I was walking with Hodge I had a flashback of the many hours I would spend practicing my tumbling passes in my parent's front yard. I had to take this photo!

Pawpaw and Hodge riding on the lawn tractor with the blade up. 

Hodge had a blast!

Wednesday Granny came to Devine to visit us. 

We took Granny back to her place and Hodge loved riding on her walker!

Hodge cruising around the Assisted Living on Granny's walker!

After we got back from taking Granny home Hodge was up watching Noggin with Pawpaw.

More rides on the golf cart with Pawpaw.

Hodge and Pawpaw back on the tractor.

They took a spin over to Mema's Day Care 

The Little Red Rooster kids love to play with Hodge.

Pawpaw, Hodge and Mema outside the Little Red Rooster.

Aunt Sondra and Hodge at the day care.

Pawpaw even flew a kite for Hodge and the kids at the day care. My dad got this kite years ago when we were at the beach in South Padre.