Parker and his friends

at a stake dance last week.

Philmont

We got to chat with Parker this morning from a mountaintop at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He is trekking 60 miles over 12 days with the best buddies and the most selfless dads around. They left last Friday and get home next Thursday. We love and miss him!

Parker Finishes Eighth Grade

Parker finished off three years at EA Young Academy this month! We had a great experience there, but he is headed to the public high school in the fall.

Parker's Birthday

We celebrated this amazing dude turning 14! Neal and I are proud of the young man he is becoming and are grateful every day for his kind heart and quiet strength. So maybe he sleepwalks at night and play his guitar a little loud . . . we'll keep him.

Daddy Jeff came to Keller to help ordain Parker to the office of Teacher.

South Texas Trip with EAYA Part II

For the second part of the trip, we stayed at the dorms at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas (the beach)! Of course, shenanigans went down in the boys' room. Us moms had a great time in our quarters down the hall.

We took a boat out on the ocean to study some of the marine life.

Carole, Gayle and me

Evan and I spent a couple of evenings with all of these boys pounding food.

Our last stop was San Antonio! Can't skip it, it's such a fun town!

Dinner in Waco on the way home. What a fun trip!

South Texas Trip with EAYA Part I

I got to go with Parker to South Texas as part of the Middle School field trip this month. We had a blast! We rode in a bus down to Houston first, where we toured the Johnson Space Center. Afterward, we went to the Kemah Boardwalk to mess around and have dinner. Our old stomping grounds!

Longhorn Council Scout Camporee

Neal and Parker attended the Camporee event at the Texas Motor Speedway Friday and Saturday. Apparently, they had a good time! It was a Highland Games-themed event, so they participated in activities in the Scottish tradition. Here are some pics!

Parker attempting a caber toss.