Guadalupe River Raft Trip

We were in for a fun family summer outing a couple weekends back and had planned on taking the boat out on the lake, but then remembered that a river raft trip was on our "fun things to do" list. Dwaine was excited about actually getting to relax and enjoy the day a little, rather than being in charge of launching the boat, driving the boat, airing up tubes, setting up ropes, and all that stuff that goes along with taking the boat out. So here are some pics of our second ever Dement Family Guadalupe River Raft trip...

The kids being one year older and the river a lot more full (no dragging the raft) made for a better trip than last year.
It just doesn't get any better than this.

And the scenery is so beautiful!


Just like Kevin Bacon in that movie (can't remember what it was called). Looking hot keeping that raft on course. There was that one little incident with the rapids when Dwaine very briefly and unexpectedly went overboard. I've never seen anyone get on their feet and back in a raft that fast. I think it scared the kids just a little- they weren't too excited about any fast water after that. (they were completely safe down in the bottom of the raft by the way). But I was just excited that there actually were rapids. So fun!

Stopped for a picnic and a little swimming and found an old log that made a great diving board for the kids. Dwaine decided to climb up to the high board- such a kid.

We finished off the day with dinner and frozen custard at Freddie's. We were all completely exhausted but only a little sun burned. It was definitely worth it. Can't wait to do it again!

Arachnophobia!

As the kids and I unloaded from the car after being gone at VBS for the evening, Dwaine said he had something to show us...

Yes, that is a giant tarantula that was hanging out in our backyard!! EEEEK! And I don't mean way out in the back 40, but right up in the patio area on one of our potted plants. Glad Dwaine found it and not me- I would have freaked out!

First Graduation Ceremony!

Alli celebrated her first graduation! She completed her kid's day out preschool class and will be moving on to kindergarten!! This is big exciting stuff.

Whoa! Is that her preschool or high school grad picture? She looks so much older with that cap and gown on! Scary little flash forward when I first saw that pic!

Looking so adorable saying the pledge of allegiance.

Receiving her diploma from Ms Paige! Then, she gave both of her teachers a big hug!


Now that is one cute class pic!


Proudly showing off her accomplishment.

The ceremony was super cute with all the kids performing a couple songs they've learned over the year and a slide show featuring all of the students individually. Somehow I managed not to cry.



Then we headed to Chuck E. Cheese with her friends for a fun end of school party. I love the expressions on their faces. We are going to really miss this group- she made some super sweet little friends and none of them will be going to the same school together. Thankfully, we will see some of them at church, but I guess we'll have to make some new school friends in kinder!

No nap days

Apparently no nap days are starting to catch up to TJ...

If I could fit on one of those chairs laying down, I probably would have done the same thing. You can tell by the lack of nutrition on his plate that I was more than a little tired that day too- not much effort was put into preparing that dinner!

Hurtful Words

Alli: I know how I'm gonna be when I grow up and I'm a parent.

Me: Oh yeah? How? (somewhat excited to hear the answer)

A: Better than y'all (pointing at Dwaine and me).

So, at this point, I'm hurt, stunned, somewhat amused and not sure what to say, but I manage with:
You know, I can remember thinking that as a kid, but sometimes being a parent is really hard.

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A little later (and obviously still a little hurt by her words), I say to Alli:
So what are you going to do when you're a mom?

A: I'm gonna play with my kids whenever and I won't do chores until my wife gets home.

OUCH!

And then I proceeded to correct her on the fact that she'll have a husband, not a wife. I couldn't help it.

I later gently reminded her of all the things mommy and daddy do for her and how much we love her, but I heard my lesson too. And I'll try not to put chores before my kids. I'm just not very good at this time management stuff sometimes.

At some point during all this, Alli informed me that she is going to have 10 kids. In that case- she IS going to have to be a much better mom than me :-) Oh, and TJ is going to have 5! Woohoo for 15 grandbabies!