CDR Friends Come to Town! (and Jaylie's Birthday)

Early in the summer while I was in Texas and spending quite a bit of time at CDR, I started talking to a few of them about a fun road trip to Montana once camp was over.  These kids work hard all summer and Montana is a long ways from Texas so I didn't know if it would actually happen, but it DID!!!!!  I was so happy to have these 6 kids (I say kids...they are totally adults) in our home.  Some of them I've known for a long time, others I was just getting to know. We had a great week and it was a highlight of my year to have them. 

We went out to the ranch one day for a little tour.  Kory was the tour guide and got to show everyone around and answer all the questions.

Drew, Morgan, and Tea. Juney girl was never far from one of these girls.  

The haystack is just one big invitation for racing and jumping so we couldn't pass that up.  

Drew and Q rode in the back up to The Butte.  Its a bumpy ride so she's quite a trooper.  

This sounds cheesy but I really do get emotional when I look at this picture with J.O's arm around Quinn.  A week with these people is fun for me, but it is out of this world for my kids.  I know how important these relationships are and the power of my kids being around incredible, faithful, and committed Christians like this crew.  I am so very thankful.    

3 dudes on a 4 wheeler! 

This very fun day also happened to be Jaylie June's 5th birthday!!!!!!!!! Which meant she got to do what she always wants to do....ride Strawberry. Chief was in charge of that for part of the afternoon while the rest of us did a few other things around the ranch.  I'm so glad she got to ride on her birthday...she was a happy girl! 

Jona joined her for part of the time.  

We left the ranch and came home to start PARTY PREPPING!!! For weeks, Jaylie had been planning  her Watermelon Star birthday party.  Who knows where in the world she got this combo but she was ALL IN with it, so I went with it.  

While we were working in the kitchen, Drew had a personal styling session and straightened her hair.  

Jona was ready to party! 

Hunter and Tea did the watermelon seeds out of chocolate and the star. Ta dah! Watermelon Star party! 

We found this strange ice cream concoction at the grocery store that was in the shape of watermelon.  So we bought it. Duh. but we still aren't quite sure what it was.  

The 5 year old was pleased with her party! This girl is so many things wrapped up in this cute little body.  She is a blast and has a true sense of humor.  We feel certain that sense of humor will lead her into trouble for the rest of her life. Even at this age, 85% of the trouble she gets into has to do with trying to get a laugh, taking a joke too far, or not knowing when to stop being silly.  So...life should be interesting.  She's chatty, inquisitive, and successfully says at least 3 billion words a day.  She is a good little sister, big cousin, and sidekick.  We are thrilled to get to love her every day.  

the CDR party planners with the Birthday girl.  

She requested her own cap.  Pink with a horse on it.  I was a little worried since our town isn't exactly a shopper's paradise.  But our local farm and ranch store pulled through so she was a happy girl! 

Drew was very generous with her hair all week.  Reading and sharing her hair....she's a good one! 

Brigs and Q playing legos in his closet.  Another big moment tucked away in this seemingly "small" moment. 

The next day I ditched my own kids and took the camp crew to Crystal lake. It was SUPER low because we've been in such a drought.  Everyone walked across without even getting their shorts wet.  

Us gals on our hike...

We had a nice Jam Sesh with J.O. and Briggs.  Quinn was mesmerized...we all kinda were. It was ag great way to spend out last night.

Please notice Drew and Kan in the chair.  :)

We played evening ball at the park, had fun long talks, took walks, and even after an entire summer with kids literally hanging all over them they entertained and played with our kids non stop.  It was such a special week of us, one we will remember for probably ever! 

J.O, Kory, Me, Hunter, Jaylie June, Brigs

Morgan (her dad was one of our CDR counselors), Q, Kan, Tea, and Drew.