THE PARK POST

The kids have been in heaven the past two weeks as we watched the Packards' two dogs,  Lissy and Darby.  I hate to admit it, but they actually were pretty cute and easy.  I thought it was going to be hard to have them around, but it was kind of fun for everyone.  They don't shed, poop, or chew on things they are not supposed to inside the house.  Jackson and McKell got up with them every morning, fed them, bathed them, took them on walks, and played with them.  (They got paid well too) I'm sure the dogs were probably worn out and ready for a break from us because they didn't get much time alone.  It was a good experience for all of us, but I am glad they are back home with their rightful owners! :) Lissy Darby   And then of course Sydney and Jackson have had a lot of fun with friends this summer too.   Hannah already moved away and Brooklyn and Brody will be leaving in July.  It's going to be pretty lon...

Mike and Jackson camped out with the 11 year old scouts for an over-nighter.  The tent was packed, but somehow they both ended up sleeping in the suburban.  Mike said his idea of camping these days has changed.  He's gotten a little soft and enjoys a cozy bed and hot shower instead of roughing it. I think I have corrupted him.       The girls went to camp for a week. I would hardly call it camping though.  They have cabins with beds, cooks that make all their food, and hot showers and toilets.  That is a far cry from my days at girls camp when we had to dig a hole to use the bathroom.  I will say that is a handy skill to have in case of an apocalypse or a roadside pit stop. This was Paige's last year of camp.  (I cannot believe she is a senior??) For some reason I didn't get a picture of McKell. (More permanent scarring for the middle child)  I went up for one night and enjoyed listening to all of the gir...

 For Memorial Day and my birthday we went to one of our favorite destinations here in the South again, Destin, FL.  It just makes us all so happy and so we have to get a dose at least once a year.  Even though we couldn't visit any cemeteries or put flowers on family graves, we still talked about all of those family members who have passed on to the other side and how important they are to us.  Destin reminds me of heaven so they felt very near to me!

    The kids finished up school about 3 weeks ago, so I'm a little late on the blog posts, but it was fun going to all of their graduations and year end programs.  Jackson graduated from Elementary School and is heading into 6th grade and Middle School.  McKell graduated from Middle School and is joining Paige in High School as a 9th grader. This is the first time the two older girls have been in the same school since Paige was in 6th grade.  Sydney had a great year as a 2nd grader and is now the lone Elementary student in our family heading into 3rd grade.