July - December 2018

 July:

-We spent the 4th of July in Arizona.  Grandma and Grandpa moved out of their house and into a condo.  While Dave helped load some things, the kids got one last swim in the pool. We loaded up some of their things and headed to Erin's cabin with a big trailer.  Dave hit a giant boulder that was in Erin's driveway and the trailer got stuck, so we had to unhook it.  We didn't know it until we got back to Frisco, but when they hooked it back up, it was not done correctly.  The guys at U-Haul said it was a miracle that we did not have a major accident with the trailer.  

-We found a new home for our dog Nellie, who after 11 months with us, was still terrified of Dave, had dug up our backyard, and was still not potty trained.  It was heartbreaking for Presley, but I assured her that we would find another dog that was right for our family.

-We spent a week in Panama City Beach with Uncle Tim, Aunt Deb, Kiwi, and Sofia.  Some of the highlights were renting a boat and collecting shells, jumping in the water to swim with the dolphins, the small nurse shark swimming right next to me, our new obsession with smoked tuna dip, the concert in the park.  

August:

-Greg, Mom, Dad, and our family went to Houston to see Grace get married.  

-On the way home, I saw an ad on Craigslist about a poodle mix that was needing a new home.  The lady agreed to meet us in a parking lot in Dallas, where she practically threw the dog to me, before leaving.  After taking him to the vet and spending a few days with him, we realized he had not been cared for properly and had a horrible ear infection.  After lots of medicine and TLC, he was feeling much better and happier.  We all were quick to fall in love with Teddy.  

-Dave and Brooks went to a Cowboys game with Brooks' buddy Jacob, and his dad Ryan.  

- Brooks started Third Grade with Mrs. Polk and Ms. Block.  Presley started first grade with Mrs. Kristen Clark.  Kristen and I have known each other for many years.  When I was teaching Kindergarten in McKinney, she was in high school, in a program that allowed her to come into my classroom and observe/learn/teach.  So I taught her and now she is teaching Presley.!

September:

-We took a weekend trip to Oklahoma City, where we went to the zoo with Marcie and the girls, had a fun breakfast out, celebrated Rae's birthday, and went to the Oklahoma City Memorial.

-Presley played volleyball with some of her friends from Curtsinger.  Dave helped to coach the team.  She enjoyed the season, but opted out for the following season.   

- Brooks and I went to the Mother Son Dance in Frisco.  First we went to a hotel, where we hung out some of his friends and their moms.  Then we danced the night away, so much that Brooks was worn out and begging to leave by the time it was over.  One of my favorite memories was standing in hall when one of our songs came on (My Wish by Rascal Flats).  Brooks wanted to stop and dance right there, in the middle of the hallway.  It melted my heart.  

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too
Yeah, this, is my wish

-Presley got baptized at Brookhaven Church in McKinney!!!  Dave got to have the honor of baptizing her.  Gammy, Paw Paw, Laurel, Avery, Brock, Kendra, Benjamin, and Londyn were all there for her special day. 

-We learned that our precious friends/neighbors/travel buddies would be moving to Dubai for several years.  Though we are so excited for them, we are going to miss them like crazy and are going to spend as much time with them as possible, making memories for the next few months.

October:

- Brooks ran for Student Council Representative.  He did not win, but his poster was the cutest for sure!

- Presley got really sick with a virus,  She was sick off and on for weeks.  At one point, we went to the hospital for fluids because she wouldn't eat or drink for several days.  They ran some tests and told us she had enterovirus.  After the fluids, she finally started feeling better and her temp stayed down.

-The Imagine Dragons were in town.  Brooks really had wanted to go to their concert, but with Presley being so sick, I did not get tickets.  So since she was feeling better, we loaded the car with the kids and Laurel, and parked outside the stadium with the windows down.  We heard almost every word!  Once the kids passed out, we decided it was time to go home.  

-Dave gets an offer from the PGA of America and accepts.

November:

-Dave came up for the Veteran's Day performance at school.  

- We spent the night at Great Wolf Lodge with the McWhorter Family.

-Marcie and the girls came to town.  We had fun at The Railyard, eight-11, and Cabella's, where the kids (and grownups) took their pictures with Santa.

-Date night at The Keg with The McWhorters for my birthday.

December:

-Presley won the character award at school.  Dave wasn't sure he would be able to come, but showed up!  She was so surprised.  

-My team dressed me up for the Gift Wrap Pageant at school.  We didn't win, but we had so many laughs.

-We spent New Year's Eve at the cabin with Brock and Kendra.  I made it extra fun for the kids, popping balloons each hour with fun things to do.  Some of them were:  silly string fight, toasting with sparkling grape juice, smores, sharing one thing we want to do next year, and a big balloon drop.