Maureen and Olivia

This past weekend we were blessed with a visit from another China family.  Maureen and Olivia live in Chicago and have visited once before.  They can to visit both families and we had a fabulous time with them. Samantha cried on Monday when they left and is concerned about when she will see them again. Olivia is lovely, almost 7 and a big girl to Samantha so this was a big deal visit. Enjoy!!

View from the lake cottage rental! Hint hint all very close to our house!

Ed helping the girls fish! Aftica hat works well on the lake!

Male bonding time Ed and Bruce

Gal pals swimming like fish

Olivia

Boat Ride with Captain Ed-thanks to Angie, James and Luke for the boat!

Wow Captain's table getting crowded....

L-R Samantha, Olivia, Hannah and Luke

Gal pals!

Ok Mom is having relaxing and so not flattering pic! So is our dear friend Maureen!

Ed the only one with a swim suit and brave enough to take all the kids in the bay for a swim!!

The water felt as warm as "pee" as told to us by the kids!!

Back at camp Bruce has a catch the girls want nothing to do with!

Wendy and Coty discussing give it a few more years for Apples to Apples.

Please note all adults too tired to play games after kids went to bed. 

Sammy's First Day of School-epilogue

Sammy's first Day of School (morning)

Video quality is poor, sorry. This is our first attempt at adding video.

First Day of School

Wow the summer has come and gone and we are finally embarking on Samatha's first real deal full time school week. She wears uniforms, has schedules and will learn new things. We also shot some video which we hope to post shortly.
By the way last Friday Samantha had her dental follow up and her dentist told us she thinks she will not lose her other tooth but will be watching it closely. She is not allowed to eat chips or really sticky stuff in the meantime and FINALLY let us do a flouride treatment tonight!! That is a HUGE success!! I bargained with her for ten charts....a steal if you ask me!!

Posing for Daddy this morning

Ok here is the smile....

What is happening to me?

Jessie lunch bag full of goodies! 

Walking to the car! 

At school, Samantha can we get a few more photos by these murals...

Hey there is God Mommy...

or your own personal Jesus

Samantha's supplies for class cursive is heavily emphasized here.

Take one more Mommy and let me give you one more hug!!

That made my day Samantha

Springs

Well this weekend we decided to explore that natural water springs in our area with our dear friends the Waites. On Sunday we went to Ginnie Springs near the Zephyr Hills watering plant. All I can say is while the water is beautiful there are alot of kids in many of the springs that probably do pee in the water. We were able to find a more secluded spring with fish in it away from the redneck riveria.  Mind you the water is 72 degrees year round so you want a hot day to splash in the water.

All smiles starting out on Sunday morning! 

Getting ready to hit the springs with Daddy! 

Oh my word a photo of Mother and Daughter

and it is in focus!! Thanks Gwen!

Gal Pal Hannah cheering Samantha to the water. 

Gal pals striking a pose. Coty refused to be in the photo...

Our dear friends' daughters Hannah (left) and Coty on my lap.

Samantha is center. Wow how fortunate are we?! 

This is the deserted and remote spring we found. Heaven! 

These fish would disappear when we got near the water and then suddenly reappear after we left. Samantha was concerned that she would be eaten by them. As you can see they are very small.

The cave-where the water comes out of the earth is just over there in the shade.

This way leads to the Santa Fe River

Samantha on the way home forcing Chuck to pose for the photo. Please note striped outfit of Samantha's choosing. Striped shirt with striped skirt. Only Samantha can pull this look off and be nothing short of adorable.