Some "Little" Things

Available now for other little kiddos (I had a hard time giving these away...)

Gymnastics w/Friends

Oh what a wonderful rotation we have going on.  Two of Olivia's good friends are in her class.  The moms have organized so that we only have to go to gymnastics once every three weeks.  It's perfect and makes it so much more fun (for them and us) to participate in another sport.

Soccer!

Soccer has started again, only this year it's different.  Olivia has moved up to Academy Soccer and is with girls all born in 2008...which unfortunately is not some of her dear friends.  The good news is that they still have practice at the same time, so we can carpool!  

Her practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays for 70 minutes, and then a game every weekend.  We are excited about a new season!

Mini-Me

Sometimes I see the resemblance 

Tubers

These two can't get enough of this.  Usually we have to stop due to passengers on the boat getting sea sick!

These Two...

...make me smile.

Mani/Pedi

with this cool kid!

Walkin To School

After School

What does it look like when two kids are running to you after a long day?!

First Day of School!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Mason is headed into Kindergarten

And Olivia into Second Grade.  I've told her since I only taught up to first grade, she will officially know more school stuff than me :) 

Super excited to get this year started.  And although there was a lump in my throat, I did not cry dropping off Mason.  

What Did You Say?

(do you want to check the mail?)

Holding Hands

They knew, after spending almost the whole summer sleeping together, that tonight was the last night before school starting.  

Teddy Bear Tea

Mason went to school today to meet his teacher and share his Luigi stuffy.

We are excited about the start of Kindergarten!!!

15 Years Ago

he proposed to me...on this day.  love where we are today!!!!

Let's Go For A Run?!

Olivia woke up, came downstairs, and asked to go for a run?!  Well, we only made it about 100 yards before we needed to take a walk break, but we continued for awhile :) Not sure what brought this on, but we'll go with it!

Happy 6th Birthday Mason!

Happy 6th Birthday Mason!!

We were going to have a small pool party during the day with four of his closest friends; however, the weather did not corporate.  So, instead, 5 boys played upstairs...and after 90 minutes, the moms were all done (haha!)

And then, just when I thought I didn't have any more little kids in my house....this brand new six year old, takes a 2 hour nap.

That evening we had a birthday dinner at Gringos with Grana and Grampa and then went to Top Golf!! We love you Mason-Man!

Mason Through the Year

Tidbits:

*height: 3'11"

*weight: 46 lb

*wears size 6T and S

*shoe size 12.5

*nicknames: Buddy, Mason-Man

*words to describe Mason: sweet, sensitive, caring, laid back, giving, thoughtful, silly

*loves to be tickled and has the best tickled laugh that just makes you want to tickle him more :)

*really taken off with reading and writing

*sleeps 11 hours at night and will often fall asleep in the car

*still occasionally has an accident while sleeping
*love all things legos

*no longer sucks his thumb

*does not like playing alone, would much prefer to play with someone

*rides a 20inch bike with hand breaks

*sensitive...will cry if  voices are raised or if he gets in trouble

*DOES NOT like to clean up nor does a good job...soooo super slow
*good friends: Cameron, Kason, Avery
*not the best eater - very slow and needs multiple reminders to keep eating

*loves lacrosse and baseball

*knows how to swim freestyle and backstroke
*can not find things well at all!!  A lost toy, his book, shoes, clothes, etc...

*clueless...and I mean this in the most endearing way possible.  

*Also asks a lot "What did you say?" And now knows that I prefer "pardon me"

*looooves his sweets...ice cream, cake, cookies, brownies, etc...
*snuggler - likes to sit close to you and touch you

According to Mason (*are the exact same as last year)

Favorite Color:  Green**

Favorite Person to Play with: Cameron**

Best Place to Shop: gamestop

Good Place to Play: bouncin bears

Favorite Food: Mac and Cheese*

Favorite Drink: lemonade

Favorite Song: Gangnam Style

Favorite Show: Ninja Turtles

Favorite Movie: StarWars

Favorite Thing to Do Outside: Scooter

Favorite Book: Avengers Book

Favorite Toy: Legos

Favorite thing to sleep with: Stuffed Animals*

Favorite Breakfast:  Cocoa Puffs (I would say muffins)
Favorite Lunch: PB&Jelly

Birthday Dinner:  pizza 

Favorite Dessert: brownies

 DO NOT like to eat: shrimp (VERY TRUE)*

Favorite Game: minecraft

Favorite Sport: lacrosse

Future Occupation: Construction Helper

Last Day Being 5!

I've said for awhile now, once there are no kids 5 and under....my littles are gone.  So tomorrow, he will wake up and suddenly, my house will have no little kids.  

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Friends and Sleepovers

New Pool Floats

Back up to Lake

Mason Can...

...tie his shoes!

Lauren

Many moons ago - I believe it was in the fall or winter of 2010, I met Lauren at a nearby park.  She was playing with kids and I knew she was incredible.  It was extremely out of character for me to just approach someone and start talking to them, however, I knew she was worth it.  Fast forward to 2016 and although she occasionally babysits for me, she also helps me with interior decorating AND she has this incredible cookie business.  

To top it all off....she's my friend :)  So thankful for this fun evening out with her!!!!

Gymnastics

She started back with this again, at a new gym, with two of her closest friends.  Needless to say, it's been a huge win.

Oh Yah....

...it's new mattress time!

Before Heading Home....

...we had one last family cruise.

The Lake

Okay, so yes, we live on a cove that feeds into the Trinity River...but we call our house the Lake House.  Tim's parents were out of town for the weekend, but we decided to head up and enjoy some quiet time with just us.  It was a perfect evening cruise.  Loving this time.

Five Years Ago - We Moved to Our House

WOW....time really does fly. On Tuesday of this week, August 2, was our five year anniversary of moving into our home.  And it's crazy to think that we just purchased a second home in Texas!!!!  Grateful for all the memories we have here!!!

Port Aransas - Heading Home

Incredible five days at Port Aransas.  It was the perfect for our family.  

*drive was an easy 4 hours

*drive onto the beach - you don't have to carry anything

*beach was not crowded - we easily had our own space

*water was the perfect level for our kiddos, we didn't have to stand next to them or make them wear life jackets

*reasonably priced trip.  our house was NOT on the beach, although after seeing the access to the beach, this was not necessary.

*our house had six twin beds on two triple bunks -- LOVED THAT

*plenty of extra activities to do in port aransas if we wanted 

Port Aransas - Day 4

Last day at the beach!!!  And we were all feeling a little toasted from spending 6+ hours on the beach for the past three days.  

So incredibly thankful to have such great friends to go on a trip with!!!  Loved spending our time together and look forward to future trips.

Port Aransas - Day 3

Another incredible beach day.  We arrived by 9 and stayed until just before 3.  Kids had a few sores from boogie boarding and so the salt water bothered them a little, although they pushed through the pain to keep having fun.  

That evening we had plans to eat dinner out and go on a pirate cruise.  SUCH a fun evening.  The kids had a blast pretending to be pirate.  Olivia ended up winning a dance contest (really, no surprise there...haha).  

Port Aransas - Day 2

Day 2 started with us at the beach by 9am and stayed until 3pm!!!  We could drive on the beach, which was a huge lifesaver.  We were able to pile in all our junk and food/drink.  The kids had a BLAST on the beach.  They water was a perfect temperature, the water was shallow, and allowed us adults to spend an uncharacteristically long time in our beach chairs just taking in the sights.  The kids loved boogie boarding, especially once they figured it out on their own.  It was PERFECT.  That evening, Tim and I made fajitas for dinner and played a game.  The kids were exhausted and we had them in bed by 830!  GO US!

Port Aransas - Day 1

On the road for a four hour drive to Port Aransas where we will stay at a VRBO home until Thursday with the Outtens.

Our trip did not start off amazing.  Pool Olivia had an awful allergy attack that ended with us having to stop and get more meds....and funyuns :)

Our first stop a quick bite to eat and then to tour the USS Lexington, which would have been a great  if it wasn't insanely hot.   

We checked into our house for the next few days, ordered some pizza, and then explored the beach.  It was our kids first time back at a beach since Myrtle Beach in September 2012!  Needless to say, this vacation was well overdue.  We even honored the pop song "Cake By the Ocean" by having bundtlets and dancing in the water :)

Handsome Haircut!

Grocery Shopping

WICKED!!!

Y'all....I have this incredible friend.  Since January 2014, I've posted that I want to see a theater production as my new years resolution.  Well today is the day.  My incredible friend, Chris, booked us tickets to see Wicked!!  It was AMAZING.  I have a feeling this won't be my last ;)  Thank you Chris for helping me accomplish a resolution.

All Her Friends Are There

Summer and Working

Overall, it's be decent working this summer.  Chris and I have shared a babysitter twice a week for five hours.  I've occasionally had to have someone watch the kids for another few hours during the week and the rest, I worked from home.  I'm so thankful for this flexibility.

And there were a few days that I brought these two into the office.  Productivity drops dramatically with them here,  however I think they liked being in the office with me :)

Snapchat - Face Swap

Mother's Day (take 2)

Tim and Sean were celebrating their birthdays on Mother's Day, so Alana and I took the liberty of scheduling a spa day for us.   And afterwards we had a lovely evening out with our guys.

YMCA Triathalon

Before 

During

After

Mason ended up getting 2nd place for 6 and under boys.  Olivia got 8th place for 8 and under girls.  We were so proud of these kiddos and they had a GREAT time.