We have a FIRST grader and a Preschooler!

We have been in school now for an entire week and things have gone really smooth this year. The difference between Ryan this year and last year is astonishing. He's more confident, excited about school, jokes around with his friends in class (maybe a little too much) and he's turned into quite a leader in Mrs. Herbert's first grade classroom. We are so thankful that he is attending FWCS again this year and can't wait to see what God has in store for him. Here's some pics of his first day.

Little Miss started preschool two days a week at FWCS too this year! She is super excited to be going to school with Ryan. Ally girl I cannot believe that you are this big, Daddy and I are thrilled that you love school and meeting new friends.

Have a wonderful 2010-2011 school year!

I can't believe it's here

Our very last day of summer vacation! How did it go SO fast? I feel like this has been the quickest summer of my life and we were far too busy. I have learned a couple of really important things through this summer.

One...I am sick of the heat. I really am ready for fall and football and sweaters!
Two...my whole family functions a lot better on schedules. This summer we were constantly on the go and schedules went out the window. The only thing we stuck too was the newly enforced snack time at 10 and 3. Ryan and Ally were driving me nuts constantly wanting snacks so when we were home, this was the law. And for the most part if worked out very nicely.
Three...this ZUMBA adventure has taken over :-). I love, love, love it but I am finding it to be extremely time consuming and it has been an adjustment for all of us. I am hoping to use my preschool days for organizing all my music, kids zumba stuff, etc.. and take less time away from the fam. It's a learning curve and I have high hopes for the fall!
Four...I miss "THE PLAYGROUP" that's what We call our Wednesday morning gals. I miss our time each week to catch up and keep each other sane (oh maybe that why I've been a little bit of a loose cannon this summer. I bet Mark will be really happy when we start meeting again!!)
Five...I have never prayed so much in my life. This summer has been full of tragedy and I am ready for a new season.
Six...my kids have discovered how to fight like big kids and I spend a very large portion of my day refereeing arguments. BLAH! I honestly thought they fought before but oh my...ages 6 and 3 have brought a lot of arguing to our family. I love those days that the Lord humbles you through parenting. I remember thinking when Ryan was a baby that I would never...
and I think I've done all those 'nevers' and then some. Parenting is not for the weak!
Seven...My BABY is starting pre-school. I have such a different perspective with Ally starting school than I did when Ryan was three. I was fretting about his friends and everything SO much that this go 'round seems far easier. Hallelujah for something easy! Ally has seen her brother go to school for three years and she is extremely excited to be at FWCS this year.
Eight...I am honestly sick of swimming. I cannot believe that came out of my mouth. I LOVE swimming, and one day want my own pool but I am at my limit this year. I'm glad it happened now instead of June :-)
Nine...I am sick of the heat, oh yeah I already said that.
Ten...I saved the best one for last. I am going to have TWO NEW NEPHEWS!!!! Caryn and Stacey found out yesterday that they are having TWIN BOYS----Yea!! I honestly am so anxious to meet these babies that I can't stand it. We got to Skype with them yesterday and are thrilled for the new additions to their family. Check out Caryn's post here. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
Oh summer 2010 you came like a whirlwind and I'm honestly glad to see you go. I will miss sleeping in and I know that waking up is going to be hard, but it'll be a welcomed change. I have really hoped and prayed that fall 2010 kicks tail. That is in fact my new motto (just kiddin'.) I hope you all have a wonderful start of the school year.

And since I need to include pictures in every post, here are some pictures from Ally's Orientation this week. I think she's excited! What do you think?

So proud of you Honey, you did a great job organizing all of this. Ally can't wait for school!

Erica and I at Orientation. We had a Zumbatomic table set up for kids zumba. You should sign up your kids today!!

While we worked, Ally and Aubrey (Erica's daughter), ate about 500 thousand skittles. I think you can probably smell the skittles from this picture. HA!

These two are nothing but trouble.

Bring it on school!!

Baseball or ballet?

We have been anxiously awaiting news on what my sisters are having!! Kacey recently found out what she is expecting so of course we all celebrated that day for an early lunch. I'm not sure who was the most excited? We had a pink and a blue present to cover all our bases.

Ally proceeded to tell Aunt Kacey that we bought my baby cousin clothes...we need to work on her keeping a secret!

Kacey had it all planned out and brought some cupcakes for us to open. My camera decided to die so I don't have those pictures so check out her blog for those. As soon as I saw a pink cupcake I knew I was having another NIECE!!! YAY! Ally and I could barely contain ourselves.

GP and Honey were also there and SUPER excited, we all thought Kacey was having a boy, so it was an extra sweet surprise!

Kacey don't forget Ally has already found THE perfect name: SILLY, (not Sally or Shirley as we originally thought)I think Silly sounds great with Warren don't you think? I can see it now on the birth announcement: Please meet our newest addition Silly. Lila and Silly, a perfect pair :=). To say we are excited is such an understatement. I am so thankful for another healthy niece to love on. Thank you Kacey and Josh for finding out and letting us in on your exciting news.

Now I wonder what Caryn's twins are??? huuuummmmm...

San Antonio getaway

Mark had a NFIB Texas regional meeting in San Antonio for a few days and we decided to make it a family four day getaway. Oh how I love hotels, daily maids, not cooking or planning or scheduling and RELAXING! It was a very timely trip and we had a wonderful time with our little four-pack.

I asked Ally what her favorite part of the trip was and she was and she said "sleeping". Mark and I knew it was because she got to share a room with her favorite person in the whole world, Ryan.

They had an indoor pool which was perfect because we were the only ones there. Let the screaming begin!

and of course water gun fights...I mean light-saber duels

After Mark got finished with his meeting, we headed straight to the toy store. Since the trip was free we let them each pick out a small toy. Decisions, decisions...

For the award ceremony we ate at Chama Gaucha. Oh my goodness that place was incredible. The salad bar was amazing and of course all the men loved the never-ending steak, chicken, and pork.

Here are Mark and his friend Lyle. (so serious:-)) I don't have one usable picture of these two...ever!

Thank goodness for the DS and iPhone during the presentations!

And of course pinkie pie

We were able to get free passes to the Lifetime Fitness center across the street from the hotel, so we enjoyed a lot of outdoor swimming as well.

And my favorite mall---La Cantera. Oh if only Waco had a Sephora and Anthropologie, I'd never have to shop anywhere else.

Dinner and a smile

I say this every time we get away just the four of us, but it is SO nice to leave all the distractions of life at home and have a few days of good ol' family bonding. We all had a really great time!

The MAC Power ZUMBA Team

ZUMBA, ZUMBA, ZUMBA is a new love of mine. I knew from the very first class I took that I had found a new exercise program for me. I just didn't expect to be instructing my own classes 6 months later. That's the cool thing about God's plan, sometimes He plans something far greater than you could have imagined!
I have been teaching ZUMBA classes at the MAC (FBC woodway gym) since late April and I absolutely LOVE it. I feel like I get to dance like I dance when no one's looking :-), hang out with one of my best friends and then share a devotion at the end of class. It has been such a great experience for me and a nice financial blessing for my family. Here we are---your official MAC Power ZUMBA team :-)

My sister Kacey took these pictures during a class last month for our facebook page. Become a fan today!

Just looking at these pictures makes me smile. Women of all ages coming together for fitness and Jesus, it really doesn't get ANY better!

A little Beto shuffle anyone? This picture pretty much sums up our ZUMBA philosophy---just have fun!

I am very blessed to work with Erica. She's an amazing girl and I am thankful to go through this crazy ZUMBA adventure with her. If you're in the mood for a little hip shakin' come check out our classes ;-), we'd love to see you at the MAC.

SCHEDULE at the MAC:

Monday 8:30-9:30 AM

Tuesday 5:30-6:30 PM

Thursday 5:30-6:30 PM

Saturday 8:45-10:00 AM

Our Zumbatomic (kids Zumba) kicks off September 7th! If you're interested in signing up your 3-11 year old let me know. These classes are 30 minutes of FUN! Tuesday 4:30-5 or Thursday 11:20-12.

Day Three--Pirate Day!

There's just something about Pirates. The boys are fascinated with pirates and swords and everything associated with them. We have had a LOT of conversations about whether pirates are real, if they really wear skull and crossbones and walk on peg legs and shoot rifles at each other. I mean a. lot. of. pirate. talk. lately.
It turns out that there is a reality show called Pirate Hunters where our modern day armed forces fight real life pirates. Well, this show fascinated all the men in the family down to the very youngest and we now have talks about how the navy or coast guard or whoever it is??? helps police against pirates. Very fascinating stuff for boys apparently :-) Ally just follows suit and loves whatever her brother Ryan loves!

Honey Hit a HOME RUN with Pirate Day! They got to go to Hobby Lobby and choose their very own bandanna. Pure awesomeness.

And then they painted their pirate ships

And fended off their enemies :-)

And received a medal for reciting the memory verse of the week. My memory is failing me right now as to what their memory verse was, but ask any of the grandkids--they'll know it for sure!!! :-)

And like all pirates, they got to take all the fake coins they earned throughout the week and trade them into tokens at Chuck-E-Cheese. I'm sure it was a little Pirate heaven.

Mom and Dad, I cannot even begin to thank you for the great time that the kids had and the restful days that Mark and I enjoyed at home without our children. We are so appreciative for the fun you always create for them and for your continuous patience and Christlike love you give them. We are forever blessed by y'all! THANK YOU!