Picnic with Boo

It's not very often that we get to spend time with each child individually so when we get the chance we will take it. Brooklyn's class had a picnic to give the parents a chance to come and enjoy lunch with their kids. It was a short lunch but means the world to Matt and I since we got to have a fun time with Brooklyn getting to see how fun and silly she really is. Brooklyn has such a giggly personality and she loves to be silly. With the fast pace of everyday life sometimes I don't notice that and days like this remind me of how special she is. 

There she is...

As soon as she saw us she came running with an excited smile. What a feeling that is!

We love you Brooklyn! It was a blast having lunch with you!

G & G G

I wanted to take a moment to think back on the fond memories I have of my amazing grandparents. They have taught me some valuable life lessons that I never realized until I had a family of my own. My dear grandpa has an amazing work ethic. He went to work at the brickyard for at least 55 years, most of those years working 6 days a week and I believe most of that were enjoying a bologna sandwich for lunch. I have never heard him complain once about anything which is quite a feat in this day and age. He has incredible patience that I can only hope to learn to have that one day. One of my favorite things about him is his smile. Every time I see him smile or hear him laugh it brings such a warm feeling to my heart. Grandpa, I love you dearly!
My grandma has amazing resilience to bounce back from life's hard struggles. She is always thinking of others and for many many years kept an eye out for a little nick nack or charm that remind her of each one of her family members. She has an AMAZING ability to sew and make christmas stockings, baby blankets, wedding blankets and christmas skirts that are special to each one of us. These are items that will forever be cherished in our home. I love my grandma for her sense of humor and hope I can keep mine throughout my life as she has. I love you more than I can say and I am so thankful for all your love and support throughout the years.

Some of my fondest memories of my grandparents are they stories of the struggles they had to overcome throughout various times in their lives. Those stories have taught me the values of hard work and responsibility to achieve the goals I have in my life. I will forever be grateful for those values. I also hold the memories of Christmas Eve dinner near to my heart as it is one of the most special times in my life. It's the time when we can get together as an entire family and enjoy each others company. Thanks to the hard work of my grandparents which has made this possible for as long as I can remember, and as I understand this dinner has been going on for 57 years. I can't thank you enough for such a special tradition that I hope I can pass on to my children's children. I am truly blessed to have had the chance to really get to know and enjoy such special times with my grandparent. I love you both!

Brooklyn just kills me

As we all know kids at this age can come up with some funny things. I especially love when they get words mixed up with other words. Brooklyn is just starting to get into telling stories and this one was one I needed to remember. There was a storm cloud right above our car on the way to school so it started to sprinkle and here's what she came up with. "So I can hear the under (thunder) and so then the rain comes and we have to get the Cinderella so we don't get soakin wet....Mom don't forget the Cinderella or we get too wet." So I told her it was an umbrella and she said "oh an umbrella." Then right after she said..."Mom get the Cinderella." I couldn't help but just laugh.

The first day of first grade

It's that time of year already. The kids start heading back to school. It's a bittersweet feeling for me. On one hand Londyn has school all day. I don't have to worry about finding a babysitter for Londyn or wonder what to do with her but on the other....She's growing up. They grow up too fast! 

Londyn loves having curly hair so she suffers through sleeping in these all in the name of beauty.  Doesn't she look adorable!

The end result...a beautiful girl and now how to show her style.

AWE....That face melts my heart!

I think we all had a little nerves that day.

Londyn we know you are an awesome student and an amazing girl. We love you so much and are extremely proud of who you are becoming. Have an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G year!

Annual Girls Day

As a fun tradition I have taken Londyn for a girls day before school starts to just enjoy one last day of summer and fun together before life gets busy with school and homework. This year was fun getting our nails done, makeup done, and hair done. I hope it is something that Londyn looks forward to every year and looks back on with happy memories. 

This year Carrie was kind enough to do our toes and nails. Thanks Carrie!

The finished product....it's so sparkly!

For over a year now Londyn has been trying to talk me into cutting her hair and so I finally gave in. Here is the before of her long beautiful hair. 

And here is the after. Turns out it's really stinkin cute! 

Londyn we love you very much and are so proud of all you have overcome in the last few years. You are an amazing child and student. You will be fantastic throughout first grade and know you will have a blast. You are growing up too quick but growing into a beautiful amazing person. Have an awesome year.

Fun at the Splash pad

On base there is a fun little splash pad for the kids to play in so we thought was better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than playing in the water. This was Brooklyn's first time at the splash pad and let's just say she wasn't overly excited about the water splashing in her face. Overall it was a fun time though.

She loves to give silly faces!

I guess Londyn thought she needed a shower. 

Pool Time fun

What's summer without the pool? This year was the first year Brooklyn really knew what was going on and she has a blast. It took her a long time to get used to the pool but once she realized how much fun it is she was all over the place just like her "fish" for a sister. All in all it was an awesome time at the pool!

There's Londyn at the top of the big slide. She was finally tall enough this year to go. Of course my camera is too slow to get her going down but she had a blast! This girl has no fear with adventure!

Boo's first time down the slide and she was all smiles and of course she had to go again and again. Thanks to daddy she got that wish. 

Our little fish.

Daddy is definitely the fun one at the pool. He always swings, throws and chasing the girls around. He is so much fun and we love him for that!

Duct Tape Fashion show

At the Youth Center where Londyn is spending the summer they have the opportunity to do various fun mini camps. Londyn chose as one of her duct tape fashion. They learned to draw a sketch of their dress they wanted to make for the end of the camps fashion show. They also worked very hard for 2 weeks making their dresses and accessories to go along with it. Here is the end result.

All the little feet patiently waiting to show the eager parents and classmates.

There she is...what an awesome dress she made. It even has a beautiful train and a clutch purse.

Do we have a future model on our hands?

We are so proud of her for taking the time and effort to put together such a fun dress.

Strike a pose!

All her friends that came to give her a hug when the fashion show was over.

We had to stop and show Grandma and Papa.

Matt and I really enjoyed seeing her in this fashion show. Londyn absolutely loves clothes and everything about them so this was a perfect fit for her. We are so proud of you Londyn! We love you very much.