Catchin' Up

Hello!

I'll admit, I have totally neglected my little blog over the past couple months. Life has been crazy! Summer for the kids is all a HUGE blur. Running here and there and everywhere! We didn't do anything as far vacationing. In July we celebrated Taya's SIXTH birthday. She had a sleepover with a few friends and the next day we spent the day at the water park, Splash.

At the end of June the kids attended Vacation Bible School at our church. They say that was one of the best weeks. They had a blast. They learned some uplifting songs and dances to go with each. This year the "theme" was "Gotta Move". If you haven't heard of it and you have small kids, you really need to Google it. It's awesome. To see my kids(and all the others) sing and dance in the name of God and all his glory is absolutely priceless. I've already decided next year I will be volunteering, singing and dancing right alongside the kiddos.

The closest thing any of us had to a vacation was when my 7 year old niece, Nikki came in town for 11 days. It's always fun to see my kiddos interact with her since we don't see her that often. Honestly, Ethan and Nikki were attached at the hip. Two peas in a pod. While she was here we went to Rainforest Cafe in Grapevine, and the Splash water park. We enjoyed a HOT afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum followed by a yummy dinner at El Fenix. We got to spend an evening out at Lake Texoma. One of the perks of Matt working at the marina/resort is that we get free use of the pontoon boats. We took the boat out one day after I got off work and played at the beach for hours. So much fun. The kids took turns driving the boat and even I was captain at one point. It was a really relaxing evening. My brother took the kids to Jump N Land a couple times and my mom and I made hand print cookies with them. One of the funnest things was going to Hawaiian Falls. Nikki says it's her favorite thing to do when she comes to town(second in line is baking cookies my mom). While Matt and I had a much needed morning/day to ourselves, my folks and my brother took all 4 kids to Strikz in Frisco for some bowling and to get miss Nikki's ears pierced. It was sad to say goodbye as always, but we had a blast and have a ton of memories and pictures to last until next time.

One Monday night it was going to be slow out at the marina so Matt thought he'd treat the boys and took them to work with him. All night. For twelve hours. Matt said they made it until 1AM and then crashed. While there, they fished and just took it all in. Corbin caught a few fish. They had a great time and can't wait to go back.

This past weekend the kids, my mom and I went to my dads first home football game in Lake Worth. They won 42-20(Don't quote me on that, may have been 42-21-same difference, still won!)! After the game we all crashed at my dad's apartment. Saturday we got up, grabbed lunch, went to the park and headed back to the apartment to swim while we waited on my dad to get done coaching! Then, we headed home.

This is the kids third week of school and we officially have a seventh grader, a fifth grader and a first grader! This year is bitter sweet. It's Corbin's last year in elementary school! Next year he will be joining Ethan in the middle school. Where did all my babies go?!?!? I'm a terrible mom. After you have so many first days of school, they all start to run together. That being said, I only got two pictures as we literally ran out the door. One of Taya and one of Corbin and Taya together. Ethan was so excited he was already out the door and in the car!

Here's a picture for good measure, cause he's such a cool kid/brother.

All in all, it's been pretty crazy/busy/normal around the Ramey household, but we wouldn't have it any other way!