The bad news and the good news

DISCLAIMER: This post has taken me 5 days to get done, so it is super long, but since I found out that you can have your blog printed into a book, I've decided to make them a little more detailed so my kids will have a memory book to read when they grow up. Hope you enjoy the novel ;-) Oh, I don't know how I got the first paragraph all underlined, but I don't know how to un-do it.

Well I'll start off with the bad news that way we can move past it quickly. We had to finally lay our sweet-barking-not-too-patient-with-kids-doggy, Copper, to rest on Monday. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be but we kind of had an inclination that it was going to happen soon so I felt like I was prepared for it. About a month ago Copper stopped eating as much and then the past few weeks stopped eating all together. When we got home from vacation on Sunday he was excited to see us but too weak to stand for any length of time, then Monday morning he started vomiting his water and Travis said that he would be suffering beyond this point. You could look in Copper's eyes and see that he was just trying to say "I'm done." So we took the long drive to Aledo Vet Clinic to have the good Vet Dr Jackson Beach look at Copper and he agreed that we were doing the most human thing for him as he would not have made it through the next couple of days. I couldn't stay in the room so I gave him one last squeeze, kiss on his head and exited with tears streaming down my face. Travis stayed and petted him as he peacefully left. When he came out we got in the truck and left, but on the way home a few tears slipped out of his eyes as we recounted some funny memories we had with Copper. He would have been 13 in August (which is pretty old for a dog his size) so you can imagine how much our dog was spoiled and treated as our baby all those years. Augh! The tears still come to my eyes. I know the past year I complained a lot about Copper...how he always growled at JT and even nipped him a few times...but he was a great dog, loving to his mommy & daddy, and a great guard dog. He also had an instinct to protect the kiddos around water and there were numerous times I had to get on him because he was acting all freaky about JT being around the pool or splashing in his baby pool. When JT first started walking Copper would get himself between JT and the pool as to make sure JT wouldn't fall into it, I always thought that was very sweet of him.

So here's some recent pics of the ol fat dog, Copper.

Following behind....mowing the lawn was his favorite because he got to bark and bite at the lawn mower wheels

Getting in the pool with the boys. He always acted so nervous when kids were playing around water

So on to the good news.....well maybe it's only good news for us...we have spent the last 2 1/2 weeks vacationing! It's fun to do it all at once, but now that we won't be going anywhere again for awhile, it kind of sucks that we don't have any travel plans to look forward to.

It started out on June 12th with JT and I flying to San Antonio, TX to take JT to Sea World and for us to take in the beautiful River Walk again. Travis had been in a class all week in Houston so he drove up to meet us on Friday evening. Our plane got to San Antonio a few hours before Travis could get there so JT and I took our first taxi ride together to our hotel on the River Walk. I got a steal on the room...on $80 a night...because they were remodeling the lobby and restaurant. The rooms had already been done and although they were super trendy and would have to be updated again in about 5 years, ours was super nice! JT and I checked in, unpacked the necessities, pulled the room darkening shades and napped on the huge California King size bed for 2 hours while we waited for daddy to make the drive. Travis pulled into the parking lot of the hotel right as JT was waking up so we headed to the elevator to meet daddy. Travis had been gone since Sunday afternoon so it was very exciting for that little boy to get to see daddy again. The minute Travis stepped off the elevator JT ran straight to him, squealing "DADDY". I honestly couldn't tell who was more excited to see each other.

We had to stop at Target to get some essentials....Daddy finally got to see the new game JT started when shopping with mommy

For dinner we headed to a HORRIBLE mexican restaurant on the River Walk for dinner. The food was terrible and the service was worse, but it was nice to sit and watch the tour boats and river taxi's go by while watching our little boy's eyes, who is obsessed with boats, light up at all the action.

The next morning we headed out as soon as we could to hit Sea World! We knew it was going to be HOT HOT HOT and since JT is still little we decided just to hit the highlights. We had pre-paid tickets so we skipped the lines and made a bee line for the dolphins. There is this huge tank that they keep about 10 of them in with a side designated for feeding them and of course that is where they all hang out. We bought a tray and attempted to get the little blondie to toss a fish at the hungry dolphins, but just like everything else...he's a little apprehensive when trying new things. So mommy and daddy had a great time throwing the fish out there. You could however wait for them to take it from your hand, but after getting a good look at there razor point teeth, I was sure that tossing them would be a better fit for me. You could pet them too, but for some reason the just couldn't get past my fear. Another thing I was amazed was that they were a lot bigger than what I thought they would be.

After feeding the Dolphins we followed the crowd to the 1st Believe Show starring Shamu! There were about 6 killer whales, so not sure which one was actually Shamu, but it was a great show nonetheless. JT loved it, I was amazed at how well trained these huge animals were and even more at how gentle they seemed. It was well worth the price and next year we'll get the season passes because they're only $5 more than the regular price if you buy them before March and you can go back as much as you want.

Waiting for Shamu to get his splash on

Spectacular!

This is only 1/2 the whale...it's massive tale is under water!

After Shamu we were sweating like pigs so we decided to head to the water park portion and cool off. They have an awesome water park with tons of kid rides, most of which are for kids 3+ so we just stayed in the wave pool and the kiddy splash pool that is about 1' deep. JT walked around that gigantic lagoon for about and hour and half until we decided that being outside in 104 heat index till 1 pm was good enough. We longed for an air conditioner and a cushy bed for a nap so we packed up and headed out, but not before stopping and getting JT a Shamu stuffed animal that to this day he still sleeps with.

After getting back to our hotel room we settled in for another nap and JT was out within the 1st few minutes. I don't think I've ever seen the sleep-hater out so fast. He must have been wiped out because the boy slept for 3 1/2 hours....totally un-heard of with this kid!!! We finally had to wake him up so we could go to dinner.

up after his nap....his sun screened soaked hair gave it a nice texture while he slept

During the nap marathon I had time to cruise the internet and research the River Walk restaurants so we ended up at the Rainforest Cafe. It was awesome and I was really surprise to find that the food was actually good....huh, go figure. JT loved all the wildlife in there, but when it started to move during the "thunderstorm" they have every 30 mins it made him a little apprehensive.

The look of shock on his face is priceless

Still not sure what the heck to think as we were being led to our table

This gorilla would grunt and shake the tree he's holding on to about every 15 mins and we was right over our table
JT keeping one eye on the gorilla

After dinner we took JT to see the Alamo for the first time. Since Travis is a history buff I'm sure this won't be JT's last visit to "remember the Alamo"

After the Alamo we took JT on a Riverboat Tour ride because we thought since he loves boats so much maybe he'd get a kick out of that.....he liked it for about the first 15 mins and then he kept trying to climb up by the driver to help....well every other boat he's been on he's been able to drive, why not this one mom?

The beautiful Riverwalk

My eyes were itchy while we were there, that's why I look so tired....and JT, well he was clearly bored

Is it almost over yet.....augh, boring!!!

I love this picture....I wish I had video of it. He was holding Shamu and telling daddy very seriously that they swim and splash in the water. "Shamu..eee.ddd...water....eee...fwim....end...spalsh...a...water"

We then headed back to home to Ft Worth on Sunday so we could un-pack, wash and re-pack so JT and mommy could fly the friendly skies back to Wyoming on Tuesday for some family visiting. JT and I stayed and played with mommy's side of the fam till daddy met up with us on Saturday am.

Big boy getting ready to land in Casper, WY

Waving hi, while checking out the wheels Meme drives (Crissy's Grandma)

JT loves his Uncle Scott and went right to him when he came and got us from the airport

The 2nd day we were there we hitched a ride with my good friend Tara to one of Casper's newest parks. Her oldest, Tawnee, was on crowd control...not by choice, but more because JT was in love with her and would follow her everywhere. I personally thought it was adorable.

Helloooooo, Tawnee!

He grabbed for her hand as we walked thru the parking lot....so cute!

Tara's girls....Taelyn and Tawnee
Tara and Taelyn
We ran up to the mall to get some things and at Target they had these buggy's that someone had left...so we snatched em up...usually they're pinned in a corral and you have to pay to use them.

My brother had a huge BBQ at his house and all my fam headed over for burgers, brats and laughs. It was fun to see all of them again and most of all to see the newest member......Riley! My cousin's little baby girl was born at the end of May and it was the first time we got to see her. JT LOVES LOVES LOVES babies! When I picked her up to hold her he wanted to be apart of it too. My uncle has some great pics of me holding JT in my lap and him holding baby Riley. He promised to send me some copies, so they better show up here soon! It was kind of cute....when I tried to give Riley back to her mommy, JT had a fit, yelling "no! mommy's baby!". Oh, sweet baby boy, I wish that was our baby girl......wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake?

JT with his cousins, Mason and Sophia

The baby paparazzi following him around (my Uncle Steve and his AWESOME camera). We had to strip JT down within the first 5 mins of being there to dry his clothes because he decided to play in the sprinklers out front
JT with his Uncle Scott and new cousin Riely
My nephew Trenton
My mom....she seriously is the hardest person to take a picture of. When you finally do get her to look at the camera she has her eyes closed and then if she's not looking then you'll get the strangest expressions.

The girls...they love being sisters...Sophia and Katie
All 5 of them...wow!

Jackson and 2 of his favorite people...Auntie Arliss and Uncle Scott

On Thursday my awesome sister-in-law, Arliss, and I got to get some ladies time in by getting our toes did and our sushi on. I miss her tons and even though I don't get to see her all time, it always seems like we haven't missed a beat when we get together.

For the 1st weekend we were up in the northern parts we headed to the lake with family to have some fun in the sun....boating and camping...my favs! Even though we didn't actually get to stay the night out there, just being at my favorite lake on this planet 2 days in a row was a treat.

Helping pack the camper trailer

JT and Boppo (Crissy's Grandpa) backing the truck up

Helping Boppo put the hitch in the back of the truck....he loves being a big helper

Driving Boppo's boat

Playing trucks while Meemee cooks dinner in the trailer
Travis flew in on Saturday morning and spent the day at the lake with us! After dinner taking a boat ride.....totally child endangerment here....we didn't realize that he didn't have his life jacket on till we got back to the trailer...oops!
BEAUTIFUL Alcova lake looking towards the dam

On Daddy's Day we took Travis around to see all the folks we had been having fun with before he got there. We went over to his grandma and grandpa's for lunch and then had some mexican for dinner with our good friends Jason and Tara and their girls. Once again, Tawnee entertained JT the entire time.....it was AWESOME!

On Monday we headed up to the NW corner of Wyoming to visit Travis's parents cabin in Dubois, WY. I had forgotten how beautiful the wide open spaces were and let me tell ya....driving 3 1/2 hours in Wyoming with definetly bring you WIDE OPEN SPACES! Ha! Ha! JT had a ton of fun up in the mountains!

Check out that view of Ram's Horn Peak....breath taking to say the least! This is from the porch of their cabin
Jackson playing trucks and taking in the view

The majestic Grand Tetons
Those are Buffalo behind us and the Tetons
Above....Buffalo crossing the highway

We were up there for a few days so we took advantage of being so close to the Idaho border and snuck over to Jackson Hole, WY to meet up with the in-famous Herther's!!! Well, maybe just 2 of them, but we were still stooked about getting to see Brooke and Abram, despite Ben not being able to come. We went to the elementary school playground to eat lunch and let the boys play. JT recognized Brooke right away and starting yelling her name with excitement. The boys took a few extra minutes getting over there shyness, they definetly recognized each other, but were acting coy for a bit.

Jackson and Abram

Swinging!

We then headed back to Casper to wash clothes and re-pack so we could head to Cheyenne the next day. Travis's cousin Ben and his new wife Teresa got married on Sat June 27. On Saturday morning, since all of the family were in town for the hitchin, Travis's sister, Tammy, had a big family-reunion-brunch at her house. We hadn't seen a lot of Travis's family since our wedding, almost 10 years ago!

The kids playing in Sarah's room....Erica was styling JT's hair
The groom, Ben, on the left and Travis's cousin, Mindy's husband Aaron on the right at the brunch

At the church helping wrangle the kids. Erica (Ben's neice) was the flower girl...she was adorable when she walked up the ail covering her eyes with her hands the whole way

Travis helping Erica hold her dress as she walked down the stairs....so adorable
Entertaining the kids during the ceremony with Mindy, Travis's cousin (Erica's mom)

Travis's niece Sarah did pretty good during the ceremony but she came up to play too afterwards

Mindy and Tammy (Travis's sister)

Aunt Leta, Uncle Bob (the groom's parents) and their daughter Mindy
JT shaking his groove thing.....he's got some moves! The other kids just jumped around the dance floor, but JT danced around it, with is signature air guitar moves, no-less
The girls dancing...JT was the only boy there and had the best dance moves! The cutie in the middle in the yellow dress is Travis's adorable niece, Sarah
Travis's brother-in-law, Terry to the left and his dad, Mike
Our fam!

He stole my necklace and was running around dancing with it

Doing the "YMCA" with some lady out on the dance floor...HILARIOUS! My kid was the entertainment of the night!
The lady in the green dress in the middle of the pic was Travis's pre-school teacher....gotta love growing up in small towns!

The next morning we packed up and headed to Denver to fly back to Ft Worth. It was a fabulous time and I'm so glad we had a big break from this heat! The only good thing about it was the blazing hot sun warmed our pool up to a nice 82! A lot has happened since we've been home...the 4th, our fence catching on fire from the neighbors, ear infections, Grandma coming to visit....but I'll get to those posts when we get back from our next trip this weekend! Travis and I are going to PK (Possum Kingdom Lake) WITHOUT JT for our 10 year wedding anniversary, which is Friday the 10th!!!