Hello World!

I have been terrible about updating our family blog. It is so much easier to do a little post on facebook, but it's not the same. Too much has happened since my last post (January!) to try to write it all so I'm going to just start writing and we will see what happens. :)

School starts in less than a month and it's a big year for my crew. The kids will be attending a new school that I have heard wonderful things about and my little boy is going to kindergarten! I remember when he was just a little baby and seeing a family on T.V. with kids aged about Gen and Cade's ages and thinking, "Wow, how easy it must be to have kids that age!" I had no idea that even though they can dress themselves, make a bowl of cereal, tell me their feelings etc. Life doesn't get easier when they go to school. It's a whole new ball game.

I remember dropping Gen off for her first day of kindergarten and thought "I have to trust a stranger with my child!"

And that was just the beginning. No longer is the control in my hands. The kids see things, hear things, choose their friends, and basically start to choose their own path. Of course I want my children to be independent and strong, it's just hard to feel them pull ever so slightly away. NOT to mention all the dang homework! It's so hard to see your child struggle with something and you can't fix it for them. But alas I know change is important and I can't shelter my kids, so I'm praying for a good year.

We already have new clothes, (NO uniforms at this school and Gen is so excited!), backpacks, and almost all the school supplies. I even got Hailey a new one to take to Preschool 2 days a week! It is going to be such a change with 2 days of no children for 5 hours! I already have big plans of volunteering, cleaning, writing, maybe working a bit, who knows! Whatever I choose it's a new chapter in my life and the family's and even though I'm nervous about it. I know it's going to be exciting!

Until then we are enjoying our summer, each other and not having to follow anyone's schedule but our own!

Genicey's Thank you gift to her friends!

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Genicey has a Slumber Party!

Genicey had a wonderful first slumber party! the girls got along great! Her Auntie and Nana came over to help give them the spa treatment and they even had some karaoke!

Hailey and Cade's Merry Christmas Show

Today Cade and Hailey did their Holiday show today at school. They were simply darling. They were patient and listened well in between their turns and then put on the charm when on stage. Hailey really stole the show during the two year old song because she danced the whole time! I can tell she's been watching big sister! Jesse took video I will post later. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Halloween 2010

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My Holiday Meme

What a fun idea!


Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme


TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.


1. What is your holiday wish for your family? To slow down and really enjoy what the Holidays are really about,reconnecting with those we love and honoring Jesus.
2. What is your Christmas morning tradition? I make my famous Fried chicken with all the fixings.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? A cruise!

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money? We love to play games and listen to music. The house is filled with laughter and jingles.

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?Pictionary, Scattergories, Card games, 5 and go, you name it and we probably played it.

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?The kids are allowed to open one present on Chrstmas Eve

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip? I would love to take the kids to Disney during Christmas time.

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? Nintendo DS for my Daughter, Kinect for the whole family, and Call of Duty Black Ops for the Hubby.

To enter, link to your Mama’s Holiday Wish List post using the Mister Linky box below.

BUT WAIT. Did you think we were done? Oh, you must not know us at all.

We have another stockpile of gifts from GameStop that you can enter to win with our extra entry options.

■Runner Up #1 will receive a XBox 360 250 GB with Kinect and a $250 GameStop gift card.
■Runner Up #2 will receive a Nintendo Red DSi XL Bundle and a $250 GameStop gift card.
■Runner Up #3 will receive a Nintendo Red Wii Bundle and a $250 GameStop gift card.
Extra Entry Options include:

■“Like” Gamestop on Facebook
■Follow @gamestop on Twitter
■Head back to the tippy-top of this post and hit that “Retweet” button.

The deadline to post your meme and comment is Friday, December 10th (same deadline applies for extra entry methods).

A walk with Daddy

The first picture was from 2007 and the rest are from today. I have a photo of Genicey and Jesse from 2002 but I'll have to find it. Genicey was wearing the same outfit as Hailey in that picture.