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!