Unfortunately, our area has had several fires in the past few months. Now there is one burning in the woods behind Taylors Creek Elementary, the school where I teach. It has been burning for over a week now, and it is very smokey, even inside the building. We weren't able to go outside for recess because of it all last week. This is a picture from Friday evening. There were two fire trucks on our playground spraying the woods, along with a bulldozer that was cutting more fire lanes in the woods. When I drove by, several vehicles had pulled onto the front lawn, watching everything happen.

This is a picture from right outside my neighborhood. That dark smoke cloud is coming from right behind TCE. Scary! I heard that it is supposed to rain in the next few days. It's safe to say that we could definitely use it!

While I water the flowers in the evenings, Mattison has fun playing with her "vehicles." She rides them in front of the house on the side walk, around the cars, and in circles inside the garage. Then she'll park them in a row somewhere and then move them all again. It definitely entertains her for period of time.

Matt had a uniform inspection not too long ago while getting ready for Ranger school. He's looking pretty sharp, if I do say so myself.

Mom came across this picture and sent it to me recently. I think it's just the sweetest thing. Matti loves her Papa!

This time last year....

I was looking through some pictures taken during Matt's R and R last summer. I came upon this video of Mattison, and it made me laugh. She's pushing her stroller around the mall in Savannah. It's hard for her little-self to guide. :) Enjoy!

After Matt had to go back to GA to leave for ALC (school at Ft. Benning), Matti and I took the opportunity to go visit friends in Dallas, Tx. We stayed with Kiley for a few days, and it was like living together all over again.... so much fun! When we got there, Kiley gave Matti her birthday present, a shower wrap and a sticker mosaic set. She LOVED both, insisting on sleeping in the wrap and putting the stickers EvErYwHeRe.

That evening we went to visit Candice and John Chris Allison and their two precious sons, Ryland and Reed. Candice and I were best buds in college, and it's been way too long since we'd seen each other. After chatting for a bit at their beautiful home, we went out to eat at Taco Stand, which was a delicous restaurant (despite its name). Matti and Ryland entertained themselves by taking pictures. I believe this is Ryland's handi-work below. ;)

After dinner, we headed back to their house and ended up in the toy room upstairs where the kids had a blast. While we chatted on the couches, they must have played with every single toy in the room. We laughed and laughed watching them interact with each other. It's too bad that we live so far apart becuase they really hit it off!

They were so cute playing with each other.

A book shelf with no books.....

That would be because my child took them all off the shelf, loaded them into a wagon, and put them in the oven. Who is surprised?

Kiley and I went shopping in Grapevine one evening and Matti had a fit when she saw this. She squealed as she road it.

July 12, 2011

Before heading out of Dallas back to Ruston, we followed Kiley to work to get our hair cut. After cutting and styling mine, it was Mattison's turn. She did so good and followed our directions when we told her to look down or turn her head this way or that.

Almost done!

We took this right before getting in the car. We had such a good trip and hated to leave!