Last day of summer...

I can't believe the time has come for me to actually say that.  Regardless, today is our last day of summer as a family.  Charles starts work tomorrow, and I start on Thursday.  I wish I could say I was excited, but leaving my babies after such a fun time this summer just plain sucks.  Sorry to be so blunt, but it does.  I am trying to hold back the tears, but I know the Dam is fixing to break.  We are blessed to have such wonderful jobs and an entire month off together, but it just never seems like enough time.  My babies are growing up fast and I hate it.  I hear Caelin say more words every day and Cade is getting turning into a little boy now.  My heart hurts thinking that tomorrow will start a new chapter and I will have less time with them.  I have to remind myself though that God placed Charles and I in our jobs for a reason.  We are there for his Glory and I simply cannot deny that, no matter how bad I might want something different.  Not to mention, God even blesses us with Gamee's love of free childcare.  So, how does one turn away from God's calling and his blessings?  Well, you don't!  So, on we go to start another year of school...but I am already looking forward to next summer!

To celebrate the day, we just had to visit our donut shop first.  Both kids got their usual sprinkle donut and chocolate milk.  Then, we headed off to downtown Tomball to visit the train depot and Nonnie's Soda Fountain.  We always enjoy getting ice cream here, and the train depot area is so relaxing.  When we got home, Caelin and I had a girls party with painting nails/naptime while Cade went with Daddy to see the new Movie "Turbo".  Cade has been looking forward to that for a long time now.  It was a nice relaxing day for us all.  Tonight we plan to just eat dinner and snuggle.  OK, truthfully that is MY vision...the kids will likely not go for that!  Hehehe...

Parks Palooza 2013

Parks Palooza is an annual event with all the Parks cousins.  It is always a blast and there is always water involved.  This year, instead of renting a boat on the lake, we selected Volente Beach water park in Austin.  We all met at Volente Saturday and enjoyed an afternoon of water, rides, laughter, and catching up.  I wish we lived closer and it wasn't just an annual thing, but unfortunately, we all have different life paths and 2 of the 7 of us currently live out of state.  So, we make the most of being together when we can, even if that is once a year.  After a fun afternoon at the water park, we all packed up and left for Holly's house to eat Rudy's BBQ and have more fun.  Highlights of the day included: watching grown adults ride the water rides, watching Cade's bravery on the HUGE slide (I must admit I almost threw up with nerves watching that as a Mama), Danny sweetly catching Cade at the end of every water slide, everyone "scooting" down the slow water slide, Caelin lounging and eating during most of the day, driving through the beautiful hill country of Austin, yummy BBQ, redneck style pools in the backyard, talking about Holly's massage therapist, watching Mendy try to talk to text on her cell phone while we yell in the background, Charles taking a dare to jump off of the swing and into the redneck pool (Hey, he made $28 folks!), watching Cade in his Angry birds underwear and Caelin naked play in the pool, laughing at Cade and Jackson wrestle in the pool, taking family pics and taking a moment to all remember Grandpa/Grandma.  What a day it was with stories to always remember.  I am blessed to have a family with so much love.  I know I say it every year, but it makes me smile to know how proud Grandpa and Grandma would be to know we keep this tradition going.  Love you all.

Here is another genealogy reminder for Cade/Caelin:  My Grandpa (Arnom Benjamin Parks) and Grandma (Mary Cue Agnew) Parks had 3 sons.  Sons were Clayton, Don and Rex.  Clayton has 2 daughters, Dana and Shelly.  Don has 3 children, Danny, Holly, and Michael.  Of course Papa had Mendy and I.  Thus, there are 7 Parks Cousins.  To make things feel even more joyous, Dana has 2 children (Taylor and Austin), Shelley has 1 child (Jackson), Mendy has 2 children (Mackenzie and Jax), and then there is you two.  So...there are 7 original Parks Cousins and now there are 7 second cousins!  Talk about a legacy.  When Grandma and Grandpa Parks started their marriage, I bet they never imagined creating a family with 3 children, and 14 grandchildren/great grandchildren! 

Inner Space Caverns with Papa/Daddy

Cade had a special treat today and got to go to Inner Space Caverns with Papa and daddy before we headed back home.  Daddy said Cade held Papa's hand the whole time and listened intently to the tour guide.  At one point the tour guide had turned the lights off so everyone could see what it was like inside the cave in total blackness.  After the guide turned the lights back on, Cade decided it would be cool to turn them back off, which startled everyone until he turned them back on.  Everyone laughed, typical Cade!  Cade said his favorite part was the "fossils" and the rock formation called the "cave monster".  The guys had a fun trip and Cade enjoyed being spoiled by Daddy/Papa.