first day of school!

This has been a year of big changes in our family! Grayson started 5th grade at a new school --Wheatland Elementary in Andover. Here he is on his first day, excited but a little nervous...

And when you're in 5th grade, your Mom doesn't walk you in (sniff, sniff).

She drops you off at the door -- you can see G walking in with his buddy, Will.

 Our other big change is that Carter started first grade!! He is still at CCA, but he is going ALL DAY! For the first time in over 10 years, I don't have a buddy with me at some point in the day. It's kinda weird...

 Here he is, at his desk, on the first day. He looked at the worksheet, and said, "What is this all about?"

Time to switch your summer brain off, and turn on your school brain, Carter! ;)

 Looking forward to a great school year for both boys, and their teachers, Mrs. Sander and Mrs. Nooe!

end-of-trip pics and lots of golf balls {san antonio}

Two evenings after dinner, we all walked out onto the golf course. The kids ran around, the adults talked, and it was beautiful as the sun was setting. Then we realized that Jerry and Grayson were off exploring on the golf course.

We then made bets about how many golf balls they might bring back.

10, 25, maybe more than 50?!?

 Try close to 200!!!!!

Grayson's soccer jersey was stretched and sagging, but he found some golf balls! :)

 And then Jerry arrived back with his shorts' pockets full too.

 The uncles ended up paying Grayson for several of the balls because they were really nice, and Grayson cleaned them all that night in the bathtub in our room.

 a few family pics from the last night

 Nana and Gramps with all the cousins

 AL treated the oldest three cousins to painting a fun canvas in the downstairs lobby!

Grayson chose a golf ball (wonder why?), Carter painted a sock monkey, and Olive and AL did a cupcake.

 a panoramic view of the back of the Marriott (while standing on the golf course)

natural bridge wildlife ranch {san antonio}

On Thursday morning, we set our alarms and got up early to go to a cool drive-thru zoo that we heard great things about. We got to our car, and it wouldn't start.

Ugh.

We got it jumped at the resort, and drove it to the closest Auto Zone in San Antonio. The guys there told us that our starter had gone out. And yes, we were only 600+ miles from home. Lovely.

So, Jerry in all his fix-it splendor, did what he had to do... 

He changed out the starter on the Tahoe right there in the Auto Zone parking lot.

Boom.

I have to say, though... we had at least three people who walked over and offered to help us. I was truly amazed and humbled by the generosity of the people of SA. The guys at Auto Zone let Jerry borrow the tools he needed to do it, and about 2 hours later, we were headed to the drive-thru zoo!

What I wouldn't give to have long skinny legs like that... Go Jerry!

It cracked me up that the sign said "African Safari Texas Style" :)

 we saw all kinds of animals -- I can't remember the names of them -- but they were tame and would walk up to our car for food!

 there were some aggressive antlers!!

 I just didn't want a door-ding from these guys -- ha!

 it was the closest we've ever been to a family of wildebeests!

 Nice... 

 the zebras were amazing -- and no, we didn't drop the food on the ground -- oops! :)

 they had a petting zoo at the end of the drive with lots of goats

 we had a great time at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch!

s'mores and family pics {san antonio}

The resort had a nightly s'mores activity from 6-8pm. One evening, we finished dinner quickly and high-tailed it over to make our own s'mores at the fire pits!

 s'mores with the golf course in the background

 all the cousins! G and C with Olive and Isla

 then we decided to snap a few family pics on the golf course while the sun was setting

 #troublerighthere

 David, Dad, and Brett

#twinning

 me, Aunt Laura, Kristen, Claire, Mom

the original Buchanan five :)

schlitterbahn {new braunfels}

During our San Antonio trip, we took one day and ventured over to the original Schlitterbahn. It is in New Braunfels, TX which was about a 30 min drive from our resort. 

Schlitterbahn is divided up into two different parks -- the West and East sides -- which are connected via trams. The West side is the original park, with mostly tube rides, and is fed by the Comal River. The water felt at least 15 degrees colder there! It was chilly and refreshing on our 100 degree day. The East side is the newer side, and is full of chlorinated water. ;) It is home to the Master Blaster, an enormous water coaster that has been ranked as the "best waterpark ride in the USA" for several years running.

 standing towards the front of the east side, the Master Blaster is directly behind the boys, along with the Black Knight

 on the west side -- a tube ride is right behind the boys

 (not a huge fan of wet selfies, but we have to document that we were there, right?!?)

 Grayson speeding down a slide!

 at the bottom -- so fun!!

 G shooting off a water cannon

 we closed the place down! we were there from 10a-8p!! the next day, Jerry and I both said that we were sore... :)

also, the amazing Torrent River circles around the big slides -- think lazy river with rapids and waves -- we all loved it!

 the original Schlitterbahn is one year younger than me ;)

 the boys loved this treehouse with cannons and slides!

Grayson and Carter zipping down the slides!

hill country water fun!! {san antonio}

During the first week of August, my entire extended family (all 13!) met up at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort outside of San Antonio for several days. The resort is known for being in the hill country, but also for its pools, waterslides, and lazy river!

 Every morning, our family of four had breakfast on our balcony. I brought granola bars, cereal, milk, and fruit...

 The boys on the balcony, and {below} was the view we got to see every morning!

 Now, on to the slides!! Here's the fam headed down...

 Jerry

 G & C

 they loved it ;)

 me

 Grayson, Olive, Carter in one of the pools

 Aunt Laura

 Mom

 Grayson and Uncle Brentley in the lazy river

Carter, Uncle Dave, Aunt Claire, me all in the lazy river