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!

Click here to view this photo book larger

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

Click here to view this photo book larger

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.

Dallas Arboretum

My first 5k race!

I ran my first 5k this morning with some of my fellow Mom friends plus a couple of their husbands. It was rainy and muddy, but we all pushed through! I had my best personal time of 29.31 seconds and won 3rd place for my age group! Here are pictures and videos from the event.

Patio

Jesse and I built a patio in front of our home. Here are some pictures of the end result.

Happy Birthday Hailey

Happy Birthday Hailey

Happy Birthday Hailey!

My sweet Hailey turned 2 this weekend! Where does the time go?

8 years of love

8 years of love

Cade's First Day of School

Cade started his first Day of school today. He wont be going to kindergarten until next year so he is doing Preschool again. He has grown so much since last year and was so confident and happy! He cut his hair, yes you read that right...He cut his hair with Genicey's school supply scissors over the weekend so he got a buzz cut to even it out. He says it makes him run faster and he can feel a breeze when he runs. Cute kid, but he better stay away from the scissors. ;) I am about to leave to hear all about how his day went.

On another note Hailey and I had a nice day together, we went shopping and met Dad for lunch. She was a precious child while shopping and talked to me a lot. She also enjoyed telling random people hello and good morning. I love how polite she is to others!

Our Summer Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Genicey starts 2nd Grade

I can't believe my Genicey has started 2nd grade! She is growing into a lovely girl and was all smiles going in and coming out of school today! I am so pleased with her teacher and am really looking forward to a new year! here are the pictures from this morning...Cade just couldn't be outdone so he had on another of his random outfits. ;) The first picture is from her first day last year and the rest are from today.

We had a wonderful Summer!

Happy Birthday Cade

We had a wonderful day yesterday. My Cade turned 5! Can you believe that? When did he get so big? We celebrated with a Pool Party and so much more. I was inspired to write a poem about it. Check it out if you are so inclined at


http://allatonceinspired.blogspot.com/2010/08/cades-day.html

Happy Independence Day!

Genicey

Genicey says, " When I get older, I want to be a dancer and just like you!"
I say, " How so? "
She says; " You are so stylish! "

I just thought that was cute. :)