VBS Power Lab

Whew! What an exciting (and exhausting!) week the boys and I had at our church's Vacation Bible School. This year had a scientific theme--Power Lab! I was a Crew Leader for Travis in the elementary section and Cole was in the preschool "Squeaky Beakers" section. We all had a great time enjoying this experience together...

My crew--the "Holy Hydrogens"

I got really lucky this year and had a great crew!

Travis in front of a cool decoration with his best "Aha" pose!

Cole posing with his favorite craft project--he insisted on wearing this to lunch that day!

Travis intently focused during craft time.


Cole during his craft time...a bit less focused!

Daddy's Home!

After a 16 day business trip to Malaysia and Ireland, Shayne returned home last night! The boys and I picked him up at the airport.

Waiting at baggage claim, we got lots of smiles due to our sign and anxious boys!

However, due to the plane being delayed, we had to wait a while and Travis lost a bit of his enthusiasm. Cole, however, had a long afternoon nap and was all systems go!

It's great to all be together again!

Mini Golf with Gran

During our week with Gran and Pop, we checked out a new family fun center in town. Gran and the boys played mini golf at 1 p.m. in about 95-degree heat, but everyone had a great time! I think Travis will tell you he won, and he's probably right!

Travis took the game very seriously and tried his best...

Cole pretty much just picked up his ball and put it wherever he wanted it to go...

Travis celebrating his hole-in-one! Incidentally, Gran also got a hole-in-one, but was informed by Travis that his was on a much more difficult hole than hers!

Cole hamming it up for Mommy, the official photographer!

Sleeping Together

The boys share a bed at Gran and Pop's new house. They love it! Here are the scenes I found last night as I checked on them at various points in the night...

At 9:00 p.m.

At 10:30 p.m.

At 2:30 a.m.

My Sunshine

Sun-shiny shirts for a day out with Gran!

Gran took the boys to Wal Mart and let them select new toys for their house. Cole chose this fishing game which they both like.

These are Travis' selections!

Cool in the Pool

Friends come to visit--Day 2!

We took our friends to the little water park today. We're all tuckered out but we had a great time. Here's a couple of pics two by two...

Cole and Ally

Anna Jane and Travis

Friends come to visit!

My college friend, Lacy, came for a visit today with her girls, Anna Jane and Ally. The girls are exactly my boys' ages, so it works out perfectly--a playmate for everyone! We went to the Hoppin' Hippo and played for three hours! It was great because they have cushy leather couches where the mommies could talk while the kids ran wild.

Four little monkeys on the tire swing...

Taming the animals...

Snack time!

Anna Jane and Travis haven't been around each other in a while, but they picked up just like old friends! It's so cute to see them play together so well!

Movie time back home...

Deer!

We've never seen a deer on our property in the four years we've owned it, but today I was sitting on my couch and this deer walked six feet from my living room window all the way across the back of the house. I grabbed my camera, snuck on the front porch and caught it around the side, but it saw me and ran off into the trees.

After Swim Lessons

Travis finished up his session of eight swim lessons at swim school today. He did great and really learned some good technique. He's our little fish!

I granted his request to drive through Sonic for a milkshake to celebrate!

It's hard work keeping up with big brother's activity schedule! Cole crashed on the way home from lessons. This makes three generations of Myhand men I've seen pull their cap down and take a little snooze!

Sunday School Promotion

Big day for Travis! Today was "Promotion Sunday" for all incoming 1st through 5th graders. For Travis, this meant leaving his kindergarten Sunday School room and moving upstairs in the Education Building to the "Walk of Faith." Now he will follow a rotation model Sunday School program where he'll be in a different class every week learning the lesson in a variety of ways--art, drama, video, cooking, etc. It means he's a big kid and that's exciting. I took his picture against this mural painted in the stairwell on our way "upstairs" this morning.

A Day of Fun in the Sun

Cole got to attend two birthday parties today. Luckily they were both pool parties and Travis got to tag along for the fun! We're all three tuckered out after a full day in the water! Here are the boys in their swim gear...

A Concert

The boys and I attended the first summer performance at our little library today. Even though it's tiny and brand new, the library has a great collection of books and has put together a wonderful line up of children's entertainers for the summer.

No, that's not Lyle Lovett--it's Joe McDermott!

The boys went wild dancing around to the music...so funny!

"Mom, isn't this great?"

"This is AWESOME!"

Surprise Gifts

As a reward for the end of a great school year--Cole's first year of preschool and Travis first year of elementary school--we bought the boys each a surprise present. Both got something they'd been wanting...

An authentic Harry Potter wand for Travis!




A bow that shoots foam balls for Cole!

Last Day of School

Cole and I picked Travis up at school at noon today! Goodbye school...hello summer!!!!!!!!!

We gave goodbye hugs to all our favorite folks at the elementary school. I asked Travis if he was sad or happy and he said, "A little of both." Since we're not coming back to this school, I think it was a little harder for him to have it be the "last" day.

Awards Day

Today was awards day at Travis' school. It doubled as a little kindergarten graduation. The year really flew by. Only a day and half until summer break!!! Cole and I can't wait to have our buddy back for the summer! We have so many fun things planned to pass away our days.

Travis receiving the "Scientific Thinker" award and a hug from his teacher.