End of School!

Well, we finally made it to the end of the school year!  This has been quite a year that has literally flown by.  I actually called James on our way to Eric's Pre-K graduation crying and telling him that I didn't want to go.  When he asked why I just blubbered on about how I wasn't ready for this chapter to close in my life.  It really was pretty pathetic, but he reminded me that there is much more to the story and new adventures await us.  So, we went to watch him graduate and we said "See ya later" to many friends.  Eric's Pre-K is closing and it has been a heartbreaking experience but I am so grateful for the amazing women that have blessed our entire family and their endless devotion and love for my boys.  Alex went to Pre-K there and Eric went for two years after that.  Here are some fun clips and pictures from that night.  And yes, Eric was the ONLY kid to jump off the stage after receiving his diploma!  Man I love that kid!

First Day of Pre-K

Last Day of Pre-K

Alex also completed his first year of homeschool!  First grade was successful in both mine and his eyes.  We learned so much from each other and are looking forward to next year.  We didn't have any big clelbrations for the end of first grade, but we made plans for fun things in the summer and we can't wait to see what we learn next.

First Day of 1st Grade

Last Day of 1st Grade

ONE YEAR OLD!

There is simply just never enough time!  Time has flown by!  On Friday we celebrated our baby girl's first birthday and then had a party with friends and family on Saturday.  I can remember the day that Josephine was born very clearly.  We were so anxious for her to get here, but she came when she was ready.  She definitely does things at her own pace and as she wants to...you can't force her into anything.  She is a stubborn one!  This year has been absolutely amazing.  She has taught our family so much in the short time she has been with us.  We have all grown together as a family and can't imagine life without her.  She is a ray of sunshine to anyone she meets.  We frequently have people who stop us in stores, parks, church, pretty much anywhere that just want a sweet smile from her and to oogle over her sweetness.  I hope she keeps that sparkle in her forever.  This morning she went to the doctor for her checkup.  She was all smiles as the doctor checked her ears and eyes and giggled as the doctor checked her tummy.  Then, as the doctor was getting ready to leave, Josephine reached out her arms to her doctor for a hug.  This brought tears to the doctor's eyes.  She said that she needed a hug this morning and she couldn't imagine getting a better one, especially an unsolicited hug from an innocent one year old.  That is the kind of baby Josephine is.  She knows how to make people feel important and loved.  Even after getting her shots she mustered up the courage to blow the nurse a kiss as we walked out of the room.  Words cannot express how much I love her!  Here are some fun pictures from her amazing photo shoot by Kat's Photography and from all the many birthday celebrations.

Showing off her outfit on her birthday

The kitty she picked out and made at BABW

What is a trip to the mall without playing in the play area?!?

Showing off her new shoes!

The table at her birthday party

She loved opening presents

I think she was excited about this outfit

She loved the cradle we gave her.  It was mine when I was a little girl and I restored it for her.

BIRTHDAY CAKE!

YAY for Sugar!

Oh my gosh!  I'm ONE!?!

Little Ladybug!

LOVE this one

Look at those eyes

 Here are some fun facts about our BIG girl!

*She is in the 65% for height and the 50% for weight!

*She is still cruising and has tried standing a few times.  

*She doesn't like to walk around barefoot and prefers to be in shoes to try walking.

*She loves to eat and will try anything if you are eating it too

*She cut two molars without me even knowing!

*She waves, blows kisses and nods her head

*She is BUSY and we frequently misplace her around the house (good thing our house is small)

*She loves baby dolls and giving them kisses

*She is a cuddler

*She gets scared around too many people and let's you know quickly (and loudly) if she has had enough

*She really doesn't like the cup much, but we are trying

*She needs to move up a size in diapers but I am determined to use up the ones I have 

*She LOVES ice cream and is furious if you don't share yours with her

*She is making listening in church more and more difficult...she just wants to go and visit EVERYONE

*Her brothers are her favorite

A Camping We Did Go, A Camping We Did Go...

Alex had asked that we go camping as a family for his birthday.  I was thrilled to not have to worry about the hassle of a birthday party while the house is on the market, so I jumped at the idea.  We picked a place that we had never been and decided to rent a cabin for the weekend.  We went to Caddo Lake which is located in east Texas.  It was absolutely gorgeous there.  Spring was just starting to come alive.  The Wisteria was in full bloom and the Red Bud trees were popping little purple flowers everywhere.  I have to admit that it was a bit chilly when we were on the lake (crazy Texas weather decided to send us a random cold front) but it was beautiful.  We spent a little time fishing (no luck in that department), hiking (our favorite part) and enjoying the quiet.  We completely unplugged from all electronics.  It was really nice not to worry about emails, phone calls, Facebook or anything else for a few days.  We also enjoyed learning about the history of Caddo Lake and the surrounding cities as well as learning about the Civilian Conservation Corps and seeing the things that they had built and had been restored in the state park.  We loved reconnecting as a family and decided that we need to do these simple little trips more often.  Maybe one day we will go to ALL of the state parks in Texas (that might be a bit ambitious...Texas is HUGE).  Here are some fun pictures from our trip.  I hope I will remember this time with my family forever, it was truly a blessing to have this time together.

Big as Yo' Face Pancakes!

Inside a Cypress Tree

It was COLD while fishing

Teaching Eric how to fish with his new fishing rod

Playing outside

On our hike

Love them!

My silly boys

Eric being Tarzan

My favorite memory from the whole trip.  I walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower and found them curled up together sleeping.  They had been reading a book by the fire and they stayed like that all night.

Our cabin

Playing outside

Alex Turns 7

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy, Alex.  It is hard to believe that he is already seven years old!  He is growing up so fast. This year Alex asked to go camping instead of having a party with his friends, so that is what we are going to do.  We did have a fun dinner with family on his birthday. Here are some fun pictures from his birthday   I will put up more after we go camping.

Birthday Breakfast

His surprise birthday cake.  He knew it was going to be a Skylander's Portal, but he didn't know I put the Skylander he had been asking for on top.

First time seeing the Skylander on top

Making a wish

Blowing out the candles

11 Months

Our princess is almost a year old!  Holy Moley!  She is so much fun and definitely has a personality all her own.  She is a busy little girl who keeps us on our toes and smiling.  Here are some fun facts about our Josephine.

*She is cruising around the furniture like a pro

*She tries to stand up in the middle of the room without anything to hold on to (and gets frustrated when she can't)

*She is a talker (and a screamer)

*She throws herself forward when she is mad or really tired (she gave herself a bloody nose the other day)

*She got her first sickness (a tummy bug and a virus/cold thing)

*She calls me Mama

*She still has only 8 teeth and she knows how to use them

*She gives amazing smiles

*She sticks out her tongue

*She ADORES her brothers more than anything

*She likes music and to dance

*She likes Doc McStuffins and watching cartoons with her brothers

*Legos are still her favorite thing to get into (it makes her brothers crazy)

James turns 30!

That's right, James turned the big 3-0 last week.  We celebrated as a family on Wednesday.  We made breakfast for James and then after Alex's piano lesson we headed to the museum.  We loved having the day together and celebrating.  On Friday we had some family and friends over for games and food.  James says it was a wonderful birthday.

Birthday pancakes

He got the game he had been asking for!

At the museum

30 Candles!

And he blew them all out

10 Months

I can't believe that Josephine turned 10 months last week!  In less than two months we will have a one year old!  I am already planning for her birthday pictures and party, bit it still seems surreal.  She is growing in leaps and bounds lately.  Here are some recent pictures of our little goober, and some fun facts.

CHOCOLATE!

*She is crawling forward and she is QUICK!

*She is into everything

*She loves playing outside

*She pulled herself to standing this week without any help

*She wants to stand up in the middle of the room, but hasn't figured it out yet, so she is always on one knee, with the other leg sticking straight out (see picture below)

*She is babbling like CRAZY!  She will repeat Bu-bye, Mama, up, Dada and other words

*She is an amazing eater

*She has 8 teeth and has been drooling alot, so I wonder if there are more on the way

*She wants to be in the middle of everything all of the time

*She is very attached to Alex lately (I guess because they are always together)

*Alex picks her up now, but she really isn't a huge fan of him lugging her around.

*She loves her baby dolls (unless her brother's Legos are available)

She is getting so big.  Yes, this is the way she sits all the time now

They are a pair!

Playing with her toys