July 2026

Wow, July was another busy month.  This summer went by so quickly.  I can't believe school starts next Thursday.  I don't think any of us are ready! Here are our July shenanigans. 

 

Hank Hill is a legend in the family, so when we saw him in Home Depot of course the kids needed a picture!

   

Water balloons on the trampoline. 

 

Riley, Ella and I spent an afternoon at Jack Carter Pool. Since Carter spends most of his time at the pool in the summer working, he isn't interested in more pool time. 

 

 

   

 

Annual 4th of July parade in Downtown McKinney. 

 

 

 

We had a "pool party" and a barbecue, went and watched a flyover and finished the night with the McKinney fireworks show. The show was great this year! 

 

 

 

We were still feeling patriotic the next day. 

 

Carter sang for the Primary kids. 

 

 

 

 

A rare trip to Target with all the kids. 

 

Riley spent more time working on the guitar. 

 

We checked out the new Ft. Worth Temple on the way to Waco to drop Carter off at choir camp. It was so pretty, and just brought up more bad feelings about where they are putting our new Temple. I could write quite the diatribe about that situation! 

 

 

 

We picked Grandma up at the airport on the way as well, so of course needed to stop by the Silos for a cupcake and browsing while we were in Waco. 

 

Ray and the kids were back in Waco that weekend to pick Carter up (I was in Europe.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was dress like a cow day for free chick-fil-a. Some took it more seriously than others! 

 

 

All Riley wanted from Europe were croissants from Paris. He enjoyed them!

 

Ella went to an art camp in Downtown McKinney with her bestie, Bonnie. Ella had a great time! I had to convince her to go (she is a homebody, unless she is at gymnastics!) but now she can't wait to go next year!

   

 

 

 

Summer Riley is truly peak!

   

Date night!

   

Carter spent most of his free time fishing. 

 

We got to go on an outing with Riley while the others were doing other things. It is always so fun spending one on one time with him. 

 

 

Carter loves to get a group together and have a bonfire. 

   

Girls outing to see Moana.

   

 

 

The boys have enjoyed night games on Friday nights this summer. 

   

To finish off the month Carter and Ray headed up to OKC to pick up a little fishing boat Carter bought (with some financing help rom Ray!)

   

He is pretty proud! I don't think it is a bad way to spend some of his hard earned money!

Carter FSY and Choir Camp 2026

Carter ended up spending 2 strait weeks at college campuses this summer. Despite swearing he would never return to the University of North Texas after his first FSY experience there a few years ago, he ended up there for FSY once again. This summer was a little too crazy to be shuttling him too far away, so it ended up working out. He had a much better experience this time around, going with his friend Jack. His other besties Luke and Dexter ended up as their quad mates, so it was about as good as it could get! He had a great time and met lots of new friends. I'm glad he enjoys FSY as much as he does. I will gladly send him as long as he wants to go. There isn't a better way a teenager can spend a week of their summer!  Riley is looking forward to going next summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He had a couple of days off before his next camp. He attended All-State Choir camp at Baylor University.  The camp was to learn all of the music to get a head start on the all-state process.  It is quite the process to try out for and make the different choirs with over 70,000 kids auditioning every year.  We were so proud of him for making all-region last year as a sophomore, but he has goals to go even further this year.  His roommate never showed up, so he had his room to himself. His camp overlapped with my trip to Europe, so I didn't get a lot of details, but it seems like he had a great time. There were a couple of other kids from his school there and he made some new friends too. I am always impressed that Carter doesn't mind going into new social situations. I think his confidence and outgoing personality will serve him well in life.

   

 

 

 

I personally don't think you should wear the shirts of conference-foes! Baylor has always been good to us when we have been to games there. Carter is a fan, especially after spending his week there.

 

 

 

Boyd choir kids and their teacher Mrs. Harrington, who was one of the instructors at camp.