All About the Alfords: July 2015

Our July was action packed with ups and downs. It was a crazy month with so many changes in our personal lives, but we have known all along that God is in control and will take care of our family no matter what. Now for the recap!
We found a new love for rock climbing at a place about 5 minutes from the house. It is called INSPIRE ROCK and it is the best! The people there were very wonderful and helpful with it being our first time at their climbing gym. Colson went alone with us the first time because Brooklyn was at camp and then Brooklyn joined later in the month when we went back. Such a great workout and a fun time as a family!

Bouldering is a favorite of Curt and the kids...I prefer the other!

Our nation's birthday was spent this year with the Moffitt family on their street. They have the perfect little house, on the perfect little street, in the perfect little section of Spring Trails....I picked their house for them! They have great neighbors that have little ones and the kids had a blast riding cars, playing bball, splashing in the sprinkler, riding bikes, and popping poppers!
Thank you for a great time!

July is a big birthday month in our immediate family and on both sides of our family! The Lewis clan celebrated at our house for Mimi, Colson, and Brooklyn, and the Alford clan celebrated at Mia Bella for brunch in honor of Chris, Brooklyn and Colson! It was awesome!!!

Colson's reaction was priceless when he saw that Brooklyn got a Kindle Fire!

She was so surprised

Colson loves his basketball goal!

This sweet boy loves his Uncle Curt

Cutest kids around! Brooklyn had camp today for her last day, so she is looking scruffy!

Kiki loved her gift from me! An Oragami Owl necklace!

I Love this kid!

Birthday boys!

Colson got a bb gun

B loved her camera

And her clothes....of course!

The kids always have their choice of dinner on their birthday! This year they made great choices once again! Panera for Colson because he wanted their tomato soup and Torchy's tacos for Brooklyn! I love that our kids rarely choose a "kid" spot to eat! They are so good!

Surprise Van Gogh painting pillowcase for Brooklyn from Mrs. Judi Hillman! It was so sweet of her to think of Brooklyn...she misses her sweet Mrs. Judi so much!

We ALWAYS have summer projects going on! Curt is teaching Brooklyn how to work hard! This is just one project. The bathroom in the extra restroom has new paint and all new fixtures.

Outdoor mudroom done!!!

Colson had a birthday sleepover for the first time ever! He wanted STAR WARS to be his theme and he was allowed to invite 5 friends. Three were able to come and boy did they have a blast! Thank you Marshall, Ethan and Levi for making it great!

Colson's reaction when his friends had to leave

Party favors!

We were invited to go camping this summer with the Moffitt family at Lone Star Yogi Bear Park once again! It was great! It was busy, but didn't seem as crazy as last year on the 4th of July. We enjoyed our time in the pool, on the water slide, doing water wars, listening to karaoke and just riding our bikes around!

Skating and playdate with Halle, Heath, and Kason!

On the way home from the playdate, I got a call from my sister crying that something had happened to dad. She said that she arrived at their house to pick up the baby and dad is speaking gibberish and not able to get out anything except for, "Hey Buddy!" to the baby. They had called the ambulance and they had just arrived. They expected that he had a stroke. They took him to St. Luke's in The Woodlands because the have a stroke care unit filled with drs and nurses that take care of only stroke patients. I was so worried. I dropped the kids off with Curt and went to the hospital with mom, Kristin, and the baby. It turns out he had a transition stroke and later tests showed that he has had 7-10 in the past 5 years. After 4 days in the hospital he was released. We truly have the greatest friends that came up to visit us while dad was in the hospital. He is having difficulty still getting his blood regulated as far as thickness. He is going to the cardiologist 2 times a week until it is taken care of and he will have follow up surgeries and meetings with the neurologist also.

It was so hard to go visit Granny and tell her about Dad's stroke. She was so upset....broke my heart.

On July 11, Kristin came to our house crying. She told us that she and John had been transferred to St. Louis. It was all happening very fast. They were due to move on July 31 or Aug 1. I was devastated as were the kids. She was very sad also. This state is all she has every known. They got married on July 29th and pulled out on August 2nd after a very difficult packing situation. They got married in a very small family ceremony at the courthouse and mom booked a dinner reservation for us at The White Flamingo. It was a nice dinner and she looked beautiful. I am just so sad to be losing my sister to St. Louis!