Goodbye, Nolie a Note From Mama

Most of you know we had a little schnauzer named Nolie. I got her when I was an agent in Texas. She was 15 this summer. She got sick last week - she has been showing all the signs of aging. I took her in to the vet and found out she had lymphoma. The vet figured she had about 3-6 months left, but she would continue to get sicker. I made the decision to have her put down. It was extremely difficult, but I didn't want her to suffer - she has been a great friend for a long time.

I went to pick the boys up in El Paso - they had spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa. I decided to tell them in the car to prepare then that Nolie was gone. I know they will miss her, too. It is always so amazing to see how your kids put things together.

A couple of years ago, my Mom's dog Skye died. On Saturday as we loaded up to head to town, Denny said "I bet Nolie and Skye are having so much fun playing together." The best was when John was trying to comfort Oscar (our other dog) who is pretty lonely these days. I told John he was sad because Nolie was gone. He put his head close to Oscar and said "Don't be sad Oscar, we will see Nolie again some day in Heaven." It was priceless - of course, then he added "of course you and me have to die first." There was a moment in there somewhere. I just wanted to take a moment to say goodbye to a good and faithful friend who will be missed.

July 4th Excitement by John Lee

We love to celebrate any birthday, but our country's birthday is even better! We worked with Daddy all morning cleaning horse pens to earn money to buy fireworks. We had fun checking out all the options.

Then we had an All American dinner - burger and fries for Denny and Chinese food for me.

I was double excited for fireworks.

Denny was a close second!

We put up our beach chairs and settled in for the fun!

Of course, we had to get close and check it out.

Then hide behind our chairs and wait to see what would happen.

Picking was the hardest part - we took turns choosing something for Daddy to light.

Once it was lit, we would countdown - 3...2...1...BLASTOFF!

We liked running through the smoke from the smoke grenades.

My favorite turned out to be the snakes - which is good, because they were buy one get one and there were a ton in the package.

We had a great family night! Happy Birthday, America!

Summer Fun by Denny Lynn

We had a day off from school for the 4th of July and then we were out on the 5th, too! Mama let us get out water stuff. We had new squirters and buckets - what more do you need? Oh, yeah, a brother to squirt helps!

Swim Lessons by Denny Lynn

My swim teacher this year was Miss Dallas. I love her! She taught me to kick and float on my back. We did so many fun things.

I made her a special cup I picked out myself and filled with Kool Aid packets. It said "Thanks for the 'Kool-Aid' in learning to swim, From: Denny"

She really liked it, and I hope she knows how much we appreciate her.

I swam best with my noodle on, but I swam a long way with it!

I was excited to get my new swim school shirt and even wore it to school that day.

We had to close our eyes for another surprise. Mama and Daddy got us presents for graduating swim school!

It is a fun swim set with a mask, swim fins and a snorkel.

I really like the snorkel because you can sing into it - yea, we got those taken away, too. I hope to get it back when we go somewhere with water.

It was great year of swim lessons and I can't wait to head back to the pool!

Swim Lessons by John Lee

I had the best time at swim lessons! My wonderful teacher was named Anthony. I fixed him a camo cup with Kool Aid to thank him for teaching me and being very patient. It took me the first week to learn not to get out of the pool and to listen to instructions.

I really like the water. I swam with my noodle and even some all by myself.

Anthony took good care of me!

I even jumped off the diving board, which I wanted to do the first day and they made me wait three whole weeks! Anthony had to help me just a little.

But then I swam to the side. It was ok, but not as fun as I though it would be.

I graduated with a report card and a cool new swim school t-shirt.

Mama and Daddy got me a cool swim set for graduation - it has a snorkel, a mask and swim fins!

Daddy taught us to put the fins on our hands and act like seals, so Mama had to take them away as soon as we got in the van, but I still love them.

Swim school was too cool! I am glad to be growing up and getting to do new things.

4th of July Treats by John Lee

You all know I love treats - the first question I always ask is "Is there one for me?" There always is, but only after I make them. To wish everyone a happy 4th of July, I made Kool Aid treats.

Mama made me tags that say "Have a 'Kool' 4th of July, From: John". We punched a hole through the tag and a Kool-Aid Packet (careful not to punch the hole where the powder could come out.)

Then we ran a ribbon through and tied it up.

I really like cutting the ribbon.

And done! Simple and fun for my summer friends.

4th of July Treats by Denny Lynn

We haven't had a reason to make up treats for awhile, so we thought it would be fun to make up some 4th of July ones. I made Firecrackers for my friends at school. We used smarties and ribbon.

You wrap each smartie package with the red, white and blue ribbon.

Then you tie two of them together like firecrackers.

Punch a hole and tie on the tag!

They said "Happy 4th of July to a real FIRECRACKER! From: Denny". My friends and teachers really liked them. I hope everyone enjoyed their treats and their holiday.