Thursday, September 29, 2011

First Day of School

So I Realize it has been a month since school has started, but I guess it is better late than never!! This is the first year that I have not been able to see my kids off to their first day of school. Needless to say I was very sad. Rod took the pictures of Braden and Halle, and no picture of Connor! Bummer!!!
8th grader, Braden is no longer the "low man on the totem pole." He seems much happier and more personable this year. I hope it turns out to be a super year for him!

3rd Grader, Halle, changed to a new school this year to participate in an accelerated learning program. She was totally nervous to do something new, but so far, she is loving it and has fit right in!


Rod did not remember to take his picture before his first day! It broke my heart that I couldn't even be with him to send him off. I snapped this picture after school. He is really enjoying Kindergarten and is also doing well at the babysitters. We were both really nervous about that, but he has adjusted just fine and most days he is only there for 2 and a half hours. I am so grateful that he is so flexible and such an easy going kid!


The new year is off and running. We are all just trying to keep up, but surviving for the most part and having fun doing it!



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Wes heads off to College

Last month Rod and I headed off to take Wesley to College. He had to go two weeks early to do some training for his Assistant RA job, so we loaded up his car and off we went.....


We walked around the campus for a while. They really have some nice facilities. His dorm room was adequate. It has three rooms, one bathroom and 5 guys live there. He was lucky enough to get there before the others so he could have first pick of everything.






It was all very small and very compact. There were ants in the pantry and mold in the shower. Everything in the kitchen seemed sticky. I wanted to run screaming from the building. Rod kept giving me the eye to keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. I did the best I could. I could tell Wes was a little concerned about it all. He really has had such an easy life and has never experienced living in a less than ideal situation. I know it will be good for him, but it is just hard to not want the best of everything for your children. We got him all moved in and unpacked and things seemed to appear a little better.



Since he was there early, there was only one other kid living in his building. It was probably one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do as a mother, to leave him there all by himself, in some strange town with no one there that he knew. I was worried, but he did great! So far so good. We miss him, but he seems to be living it up, working, going to school, studying, and never sleeping!


Friday, September 9, 2011

Trafalga Fun!

One hot, summer day, we decided to grab some friends and head over to Trafalga.  The kids had tons of fun playing miniature golf, laser tag, and soaking each other on the boats.  I loved that it didn’t cost much, but hated that the kids behind us had never been taught how to respectfully play miniature golf!  They would just play right through the hole we were on!  Crazy!!!096

098We sure love this kid.  He and Parker are the best of buds!100

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Completely drenched!  I certainly was glad it wasn’t me!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Summer Dance Attack 2011

So this is the first year that Halle was required to attend the Summer Dance Attack.  It worked out perfectly since this was the first year we didn’t go to the beach.  Every year Dance Attack is on exactly the same week as our trip to the beach.  We were lucky enough to room with the Jeanette, Brynnley, Brooklyn, Heather, Marlee, Sophie, Patricia, and Mariah.  The girls had a great time and the Mom’s were able to take a break from the normal routine.

We had fun just hanging out…

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Being with Friends….032

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Learning from Great Teachers….030

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Celebrating…..033Acting Goofy….028

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056Matching…….071

052Seeing the sites….062

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034And just being together…..074

It was fun to get away.  Halle and I were so lucky to get to spend some time together and we couldn’t have asked for better company!  Thanks ladies!!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Two Visits to Grandma’s and Grandpa’s

This summer we had the opportunity to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house twice.  The first time was just because we missed them.  The second time was because Cindi and Jayden came to visit and we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see them.  It was so much fun just to hang out. We did lots of fun things…….280We picked peas from the garden.288We shelled the peas!  Yum!289We rode bikes.295

300We swam in the new city pool!302

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322We went to see a movie!002We went to Church with Grandma and Grandpa!004We rode bikes to the park and then acted silly while we were there.005

010Super hero poses.009

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003We celebrated Grandpa’s Birthday!018

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023We played games and ate junk!016We played croquet!018We caught up with old friends!019We fought over Winnie the Pooh!020

024We made crafts!027We pretended to ride motorcycles.  (Cindi bought three while on her trip!)028

029We just hung out!038And laughed!040And acted goofy! 039 And enjoyed being together!  Thanks Mom, Dad, Cindi and Jayden!  WE sure love you guys!!!  XOXOXO