Zip-Line Time

What does basketball have to do with zip-lining?

Not much.

Except while we were waiting our turn...

they had a hoop, they had a ball,

and we let neither go to waste.

Then it came time to suit up and practice.

And without further ado, they marched back to the launching tower.

{L-R Uncle David, Ranae, Aunt T, Alex, Brian, Kevin, Matthew and Mimi}

The instructors are in blue. 

After a short safety check.....

it was zipping time.

Their first stop was a platform in an old cypress tree.

Very Robin Hood.

But the fun part, I'm told, was getting to the next platform.

Sarah and I stayed on the ground.

You have to be 10 to zip, so we'll be doing this another time.

We found a little swimming pool.....

and cooled off a bit.

Before long everyone returned

with plenty of stories to tell.

Cypress Valley Canopy Tours.

We came.

We played ball.

We zipped.

No one fell.

I'm loving it.

Texas

My family took a summer trip to Texas to see my folks.

First we stopped to see my dad, Bob.  I love him so.

Texan -born and raised-  just like me.

{And proud of it, I might say.}

One afternoon after a rain we took a walk to the park.

Aunt Brooke even let Ranae push the twins!

They are some sweet, cute boys.

We had no problem finding the ducks.

In fact, we got the impression they have done this before.

There were even some baby ducklings.

And Sarah especially loved feeding them.

After the ducks had scarfed all our food it was time for:

Playground Wars.

And my little brother thinks he won.

But the jury is still out.

Sarah Kate and Bristol are sitting on that jury

and with five brothers between them

it's going to be a close vote.