Summer in Temple

I have to apologize for another long post. It took me so long to put up the Europe post that I'm two months behind on blogging about all of the stuff we've done since arriving here in Temple. We REALLY like it here. Despite being small, Temple has tons for us to do because the town is pretty much built for young families. It has been so exciting to explore the town and surrounding area. This was our dining room after unpacking all of our boxes. Don't worry - we recycled. It was a fun challenge for me to clear a path to the piano and to practice with boxes occasionally falling on my head.

Some local sporting goods stores sponsored a free kids' fishing day at a nearby pond. They provided the poles, bait, free food, etc. and gave out prizes. We showed up too late to catch any fish but we did win a tackle box. Right next to the pond they were giving tours of a life flight helicopter. It was a really hot day so Kate was looking a lethargic but she enjoyed it. This is my favorite picture - Kate hoisting her toy helicopter up in the air, waiting for the real one to take off. I'm not sure why they were in the bathtub for this one, but I love these matching outfits. Jane's hands are moving so fast they're blurry. We have had a series of visitors but most have stayed for less than 24 hours - hmm. Dan and Heather brought their kids and we went out for some famous Central Texas barbecue. Scott was there, just behind the camera. Our friends offered us some complimentary tickets to a local rodeo. It was tons of fun! (Don't you hate being the closest one to the camera in pictures like this?) Kate sat with our friends instead of us. She also got to ride a mechanical bull that night - video coming later. Mutton busting! The funniest rodeo event ever.

My family also came to visit and we went out for barbecue. You'll have to indulge me on this series of pictures. I wanted to illustrate how ridiculously happy Jane became when she got her own grown-up drink with a straw. It was only water inside, but I swear she was getting drunk on it.

"For me?!"

Evil laughter. Squealing with delight. Crazy happy grin. Sucking it down. "This thing comes out?!" An offering. Conductor's baton. This little girl is full of personality and energy. She really hammed it up to entertain the group that night.

Kate with a bathtub "spike." I took the girls to "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-A. We all got free meals for our cow costumes. Note the udders made from surgical gloves: Jane was being kind of difficult about wearing her udder. We are lucky to live very close to a nice lake, Lake Belton. There's a recreation area with tons of activities to do there, including paddle boats, waterslides (for grown ups), playground equipment, shaded picnic areas, a beach with designated swimming and wading areas, ski boat rentals, mountain biking, horseback riding, and paintball (although we decided to pass on paintball since most of the people who do it are military - yikes!). Kate with one of her favorite new friends here, Anna. Goofy Jane. Kate recently completed her first swim lessons. It was a big success. She is still timid in the water but has gained a lot of confidence, and more importantly, she really loves swimming. I like this picture: Why can't they smile normally at this age? When Scott is home, we put him to work! He was a good sport about juicing all of this fruit for some homemade lemonade. On our second trip to Lake Belton, this time with Scott's parents. That night we went out for barbecue, again. Scott was there but behind the camera, again. Yay for being back in Texas!