Team Golf

Connor had another awesome summer of Team Golf, the youth league sponsored by Southern Texas PGA which introduces young golfers to the competition side of the sport. This summer, Connor didn't get as many chances to participate in the competitions and activities due to his busy schedule of baseball and family events. But he still managed to enjoy some rounds of golf and share those fun events with Jeff and Granddaddy.

Arriving for his first team practice at Cinco Ranch.

Connor and his golfing buddy Ben after winning a medal in one of the tournaments.

Connor teeing off.

Here's the group from one tournament. These little golfers are too cute!

OK, we'll be serious now!

Another group shot. Love that the girls are involved too.

This year, Connor was often paired with older players for his competitions due to the partners that were available. He enjoyed playing with the more experienced golfers and they were always willing to pass along helpful tips.

 

Scoping out the hole.

One of Connor's regular teammates, Cameron.

Start of a tournament when Connor competed in the 11-12 age division.

His team won 1st place in that one, awesome!

While the Parents Were Away...

While Jeff and I were away on our summer trip to Punta Cana, Connor and Kaitlynn were thrilled to be left behind with my parents, MeMe and Granddaddy. They stayed in the Houston area for a couple of days and then drove back to White Oak for a weekend there with some of the Morgan cousins. I can say without hesitation that Connor and Kaitlynn didn't miss us at all!

Goofy cousins playing family. Who gets to be the baby in the crib?

Bath time, no peeking!

Silly cousins. Um, is it just me or do these girls look like SISTERS!

Sisters. I mean, cousins! :-)

Cute cousins, and Kaitlynn in some suspicious clothing...

So here are the stories that MeMe couldn't wait to pass along to me about my kids while we were away.

Before we left on our trip, I had laid out multiple matching outfits for Kaitlynn along with a checklist of items to pack when it was time for MeMe and Granddaddy to taken she and Connor to White Oak. All Kaitlynn had to do was put the items in her suitcase. Apparently I need to be more specific about the packing next time. Because when Kaitlynn ended up in White Oak, all her suitcase contained was 1 outfit, her doll Anna with the same outfit, her toothbrush/toothpaste, 1 pair of pjs, and her blankies. That's it. No additional clothes changes, no clean underwear, and no extra shoes. When MeMe realized that Kaitlynn hadn't packed all the outfits and other items, she asked Kaitlynn what happened. Kaitlynn, feeling quite independent about packing her own suitcase, said smugly, "I didn't need anything else." So THAT explained why every photo that MeMe texted me was either in the same 4th of July outfit or some random outfit she borrowed from her cousins.

After two days of being in White Oak with Kaitlynn's sparsely packed suitcase, the kids were getting ready for church and MeMe told them to brush their teeth. Kaitlynn replied, "OK. And BY THE WAY," she continued with some extra sass, "I haven't brushed my teeth the entire weekend until now!" [Cue Kaitlynn whipping her hair as she turns sharply around to go brush her teeth for the first time in days.] Lovely.

Last story...one of the days that the cousins were at MeMe's house, Uncle Jeb decided it would be a good idea to get the cousins to help wash the cars in the driveway. So they got an old t-shirt for each cousin and told them they were going to have a fun activity to do outside. Apparently it didn't take Connor long to respond with, "Why are you making us do chores and calling it an activity?" HA!

Gotta love the grandparent stories!

Can we trick the kids into doing our chores by calling it an activity?

The car-washing "activity" LOL!

More car-washing "fun"

At least the girls liked it!

After 5 days in the Dominican Republic, Jeff and I made it home and I was happy to drive to Lufkin to meet MeMe with the kids. It's always so great seeing them after such a long time away! They had such a great time with their grandparents and the bonus was getting to see their cousins, too. Jeff and I are so blessed that my parents are able (and willing!) to watch our kids for us so we can get away.

They were so happy to see me after my trip that they actually hugged each other, ha!

Now THIS is a kid worn-out from a fun week with the grandparents!

Giving the kids their surprise souvenirs from our trip.

Dominican Republic

Jeff and I have been good about taking a vacation together most years, usually to various beaches in the Caribbean. This year, we were excited to be asked by our good friends, Tom and Jennifer, to join them on their 20-year anniversary trip to the beaches in the Dominican Republic. They had invited two other couples from their home state of Minnesota, so we would have four couples in total to hang out with on vacation.

I have to admit, Jeff and I were a little intimidated to sign up to travel with (1) couples we didn't know, and (2) couples that surely partied harder than us (haha!), but we are so glad it worked out because we had an AWESOME vacation!

We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, and it was a great resort. In addition to the usual all-inclusive package, there was an amazing spa, huge resort grounds with pools and activities, beachfront access, and even a world class casino on site. So much fun!

Here's a summary of our trip in photos.

Arrived in Punta Cana and already needed a beer.

Our hotel room with Jacuzzi. Never had a room like that before!

Jeff and I posing after dinner in front of an old car of Madonna's. There's a story behind this pic...

First night at the casino. I almost got kicked out for taking this photo. Oops.

Selfie.

Another selfie, this time before our 4-wheel-drive excursion on the beach.

We used "borrowed" napkins for our handkerchiefs so we wouldn't have to pay for them.

4-wheel-drive selfie in front of the hotel resort grounds.

This was the view on part of the trail.

Jeff LOVED the rocky trail.

We came around a wooded bend to see this, the gorgeous ocean!

Our first beach selfie of the trip. Gorgeous water!

Our group on our mid-excursion break.

Pool time! Loved all the sun.

Me and my honey.

Beach selfie.

A shot of the girls with the guys relaxing in the back. So fun!

Later that night, back to another spot for dinner.

Here we are with Tom and Jennifer, the 20-year lovebirds!

Jeff and I -- it's actually our 10-year anniversary this year so we celebrated, too. :-)

The whole gang at dinner.

 

The next morning, Jeff and I were the first on the beach with our drink of the week, Beach Boys!

Jeff was soon building his usual Houston Texans logo in the sand.

Another night, another dinner.

Here's a group shot of the guys.

Now for the girls.

Entire group. Love these couples!

The next day, we headed off resort with Tom and Jennifer for some shopping and lunch. And more drinks - this time they weren't free so they were delicious!!

Girls pic on our last night in Punta Cana.

Jeff and me before dinner.

Our last morning, say it ain't so!

One last Beach Boy for the road.

Before I close out this post, I couldn't resist sharing this story from our trip.

On our very first night in Punta Cana, we all went together for dinner and enjoyed getting to know one another. Afterwards, we were walking around the resort shops and I stopped to get a picture with Jeff in front of this cool car that was formerly used by Madonna. (The Madonna car became our meeting spot for the rest of the trip!) Anyway, Mike and Tammy apparently tried to photo bomb our pic with a makeout session behind the Madonna car. We didn't think it turned out, but upon closer inspection...

What started it all...Mike and Tammy and their makeout photo bomb.

Well of course the other couples didn't want to be left out, so Jeff and I spent the rest of the trip trying to avoid the makeout photo bombs in every other selfie. Too funny!

Tom and Jennifer managed their makeout photo bomb in the casino.

Jay and Gennifer didn't want to be left out so they managed theirs on the beach.

We had an AMAZING vacation in the Dominican Republic and enjoyed every moment together and with our group. What a fun way to hang out together and make new friends at the same time. Can't wait to see what we plan for next year! (Assuming us old farts are still invited, ha!)

Our final view of the Dominican beach. Gorgeous!