preschool readiness

Does this little girl look like she's ready for preschool or what!
It's actually the first day of her second year of preschool, and she is SO ready! She loved being with her sisters all summer, but they started school 2 weeks ago and she's been stuck at home with boring ol' mom. It's gonna be a great year!

at the movies

I've never been one for stage performance myself, but we've discovered that our children have quite the knack. Here is a little montage of movie quotes we put together for our church talent show. See how many you can guess!



Nobody puts Baby in a corner… I’m late I’m late for a very important date… One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know… Toga! Toga! … Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates… Scrumdiddlyumptious! … You dumb dumb, you give me gum gum… Stick with your man. Think of him as chewing gum. By the end of the game, I want you to know what flavor he is… You smell like Phys Ed! … There's no crying in baseball! … Show me the money! … Just a bit outside… If you build it, he will come… May the Force be with you… Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges! … I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way… Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings… What if I'm not the hero? What if I'm the bad guy? … Who you gonna call? … Bueller… Bueller… phone home… That might be so, but by God, I ain't never said a word to a pig… Wax on, wax off… Snakes. Why'd it hafta be snakes? … I'm king of the world! … Dah dum dah daum …You're gonna need a bigger boat… Just keep swimming Just keep swimming… I feel the need -- the need for speed! … To infinity…and beyond! … Houston, we have a problem… Shane. Shane. Come back! … Was that floatin' like a Cadillac, or was that stingin' like a Beemer? … To the Batmobile… Wait a minute, Doc. Ah... Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean? … I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore… Republic. I like the sound of the word… Groovy, baby! … In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly happen… Mirror Mirror on the Wall… But enough about me. What about you? What do you think of me? … (slap cheeks) aaaargh! … Here's looking at you, kid… You talking to me? … Garçon! Coffee! 'Garçon' means boy… just a spoonful of sugar… As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again… Where are the chips? Somebody stole them. Did you not tell them that they were the Lord's chips? … Stella! … No more wire hangers! … Ye Gads! … You can't handle the truth! … We love you Misses Hannigan… I love you. Ditto… Hasta la vista, baby… How about a hug? … Get your stinking paws off me, you dirty ape… I'll be back.

1st and 5th

Oh my goodness!

Can you believe how grown up they both look?






We're looking forward to another great year. We are thrilled with our teachers and excited about our classes. Can't wait to learn new things and meet new friends!

cowboy camp

We are lifelong fans of the Dallas Cowboys. They haven't always had their training camp in San Antonio, but have several times since we've lived here. Can you believe this is the first time we've gone to watch? And it's free!

The girls weren't exactly thrilled to be there. They've each been to their share of sporting events in their lives, but with this just being training camp, there was no music, cheerleaders, or any other hoopla. They weren't too impressed. All they wanted was cotton candy and popcorn.

It was a fun family afternoon! GO COWBOYS!

lucky number 7

Our sweet little Anna is growing up! She is the most passive of the 3, so quiet and humble. She loves to draw. She loves to play with her dolls. She loves fishing with Daddy.

We did our little tradition of a birthday morning muffin...


She loved the movie Bolt, so she got the DVD and a pair of tights like the ones Penny wears. (That's what she wants to be for Halloween.)


She'd also been asking for a hamster. Mom and Dad opted for a guinea pig (easier to locate if it gets loose!). His name is Chester. Coincidentally, while we were on vacation the week before, we saw the movie G-Force. Too cute!!!


We discussed several options for party plans this year, and she just kept coming back to a sleepover. The girls made their own mini-pizzas for dinner, followed by a little cake and ice cream. Games and a movie, then lights out! (my kind of sleepover!) Waffles and smoothies for breakfast, then everyone was on their way.

summer vacation

We have some wonderful friends that we have been vacationing with for 6 years now. This was our fourth time to get together. We've been there (CT), they've been here, and we even had a jaunt to her parents house in Florida. This time, we decided to venture up North again. They are wonderful hosts and tour guides. And, all our kids get along great! Might I say "never a dull moment"?

They have lots to do at their house (you just gotta when you have 4 boys and a home daycare!). The kids spent quite a bit of time in the pool. It is a heated pool, but the girls were still a little shocked at the temperature (it was actually the air that was quite a bit cooler). Notice the gorgeous trees in the background! Rumor is, there's a bear out there...


Her parents have a lakehouse up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They were gracious enough to share their space with us (again) for a few days. The weather was perfect. Unfortunately, sweet little Anna wasn't feeling well (she ended up being down for a few days).


Did I mention we travelled across the multi-state area in a 30+ foot RV? It worked out great for us... all 11 of us! We all got to be in one vehicle (all 11 of us!), the kids had a little freedom to move around (yes, the little ones were in car seats), we had a potty (hence, we had fewer stops), we had a kitchen at our fingertips (have you ever seen the movie The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball?), AND when we were driving through the mountains, everyone had an awesome view (all the kids in the back room - to get the bestest view!)...


How can you pass through Freeport and not stop at the L.L. Bean Flagship Store (and the outlet, of course).


We spent another night at campsite along the coast of Maine. Wouldn't it figure that is when the rains would come. Everybody was filthy, but we had fun anyway. The boys even survived a night in the tent!


One of our favorite books is One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey. It was very surreal to be standing on the same beaches where the story took place. No lost teeth though. More muck and mud... we'll call it a science lesson!


more bars in more places...
(okay, I know it's too many bars, but isn't it too cute?)


Last but not least, we visited the Mark Twain house in Hartford. While we were waiting for our tour guide, we came upon this life-size lego statue. Pretty cool. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in the house, but you can take a virtual tour.


We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. It's amazing to me too, that even though we only see each other every other year, the kids come back together like they hadn't missed a beat.

Looking forward to 2011!

when in rome...

Our church hosted an awesome VBS this year! We 'journeyed' to Rome and learned all about Paul and the Underground church, from an insider's perspective. A lot of people put a lot of work into it. We were group leaders, so we didn't miss a minute. The girls brought their friends too. It was a fun experience! Here are a few of the pics...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Next year... Egypt, maybe?