Surprise Swope Seven Shoot

We did a surprise photo shoot of the Swope Seven for my parents for Christmas! We haven't had professional pictures taken of the grandkids since Paige was a baby, so it was way overdue. The kids were not super grumbly about having to do this {really only Trent complained ha}, our photographer was quick, and the pictures turned out great. Biggest reward - Babs cried and was SO excited, yay! Success!

You can tell which 2 kids weren't willing to take individual pics ha

Didn't these turn out GREAT?!

Jolly July

We've made it to July. Continued summer fun! 3 in-state family trips, cheer camp, Take Your Kid to Work with Brent, and Trent started his FIRST JOB!!!

July 4 was a subdued affair as we were all reeling from the floods in Texas and the loss of so many lives not too far from us. It rained really hard at our house but nothing like what other parts of the state got.

We didn't get to do the golf cart parade but still decorated the cart!

Our neighbors adopted 2 new kitties - the girls were so excited to go meet them!

Our newest cheerleader had her first cheer camp. She is loving it!

Take Your Kid to Work Day at LJA!

Trent also started his first job in July. He applied at a LOT of places around our little town and got hired by his #1 choice, H-E-B {which is a Texas-based grocery store chain that ALL Texans LOVE}. He's saving up to pay for some of the expenses we'll have once he gets his car {if he ever finishes his driving hours!}.

We went to see Brent's cousin, Philip, for a quick weekend trip. I didn't take any pictures except the below - we had Brent and Drew recreate a picture from a trip we took 7 years ago. These kids are growing up TOO fast!

Brent's parents and I took the kids to an exotic zoo in Johnson City. We toured LBJ State Park and properties and then spent 2 nights on the zoo property. Was great to get away for a few days - the kids had fun swimming, the zoo, being spoiled by grandparents!

Our last trip of July was our annual Swope family vacation. We added my cousin, Hagan, and her family {3 boys!} this year, so we had 8 adults and 10 kids. We rented a cabin that held everybody, had a pool/hot tub, and was a short distance to Lake LBJ. {We've stayed at this resort before with Brent's family and then for a wedding on my side of the family.} We haven't hung out as much with Hagan's family, but the kids had a great time together and all want to get together again! The kids ages were 16, 16, 16, 14, 12, 12, 12, 9, 8, 1!

We never got a picture of everyone together, but we managed to get some assorted groups, ha.

All 10 of the kids! My grandparents would be so tickled to see this picture!

So much fun and family time!

Golden Anniversary

My parents have been married for FIFTY YEARS!!!! I can't get over it and think it's just the most amazing accomplishment! They have been planning to have a party to celebrate the milestone for a long time, and I think we had an amazing time.

Their party was at the church hall where they had their wedding reception {and where Brent and I had our reception as well}. The day before the party, we went up to the hall to decorate.

My project was this photo wall. How neat is this to have her dress by it? Love!

The men having a refreshing drink after all the hard work was done!

Get ready for lots of pictures! We treated this like a wedding reception!

So much memorabilia from their wedding, I love that my mom saved all this.

The grands had to count who had the most pictures.

Trent had the most! Ha!

How cute is their cake?!

The OG Swopes

My uncle gave a toast before dinner. 

I wondered why they picked my mom's youngest brother...

until my sister told me it's because he is the only 

brother either of my parents have left. SOB

Lining up for the Grand March [a German dance]

A funny story is they can't remember what their first dance is from their reception. They had a band and the song they originally wanted, the band couldn't play. And now they can't remember which song the band played between the other 2 they suggested. So they danced to both at their anniversary party.

'First' dance

My parents are so cool that my friends wanted to come ha. And we decided to recreate a picture we took in Mexico in 2008. Except we couldn't remember the order we lined up in so we didn't get it quite right. We also joked we should have made Trent get in the picture since I was pregnant with him in Mexico. Missed opportunity! We said next time haha.

2025

 

2008

I am still a little tender in my heart after my mom's stroke, so this party was extra special to our little family!