First Day of School

Wow, what a week! Monday was the boys first day in 5th grade and Callie's first day of kindergarten. Chad was able to bring Callie for her first day while I headed to Collins with the boys for our first day. We were lucky enough to only have one mishap for the day---poor Mace forgot his lunch at home. (Thanks to BooBoo and Uncle Tory for saving us.)

Jay also started 2nd grade at Powell Elementary. The girls were so excited to be at the same school together. On Tuesday, Jay and Callie started riding the bus----they think it's so cool!!

My little girl--her bookbag is bigger than she is~~~ I'm proud of you, Lil' Bit.

Back to School

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks for our gang. I have been trying to get my new classroom ready. Thank you so much Mom and Dad for taking the kids for a week. I couldn't have gotten all this done with the kiddos running around. Aslo, thank you to my hubby--you have been a great stay-at-home Dad!! Thank you for your help and for doing the laundry ALL WEEK---I'm impressed!!

Here's a few pictures of my classroom before and after.



We also had a few fun events going on these past weeks, too. We went to a BBQ hosted by my new school. It was on a farm and the boys had a good time riding horses.

I traveled to Katy for Kristin Abney's Baby Shower. They are expecting a baby boy in September. I'm hoping he'll come near my birthday--just NOT the night I celebrate it!!

Callie went to Powell Elementary to meet her Kindergarten teacher. She looked so tiny sitting in her desk with her big brown eyes. I am more upset about her starting kindergarten than I thought I would be. My baby is getting so big (well older). Here she is standing in front of her new school.

Becky, Terri, Ms. Barbara (aka MeeMaw) went to the Outlet Mall on 290 for some Back to School sales---it was so much fun. My dear friend Becky has 'Baby Fever' quite bad and is already scoping out possible diaper bags---sorry Trevor, I think you 'll be purchasing a Burberry Diaper Bag soon.
We also had time to catch a Dave Matthews Concert with Brandon'Yogi' , Terri and Brad "Man-pris"---the show put on by the Foster Brothers was WAY better than Dave :-)

"I LOVE YOU, DAVE!"

So, as you can see, we've been busy. That probably explains why I slept for almost 14 hours on Saturday!! Oh, yes, it's back to school for me!!!!

Happy 30th Birthday, MeMe!

Happy Birthday, MeMe! We love you!!

By the way, I'm sure this picture was taken right around the time I locked you in the toy box!!

Weekend in Louisiana

This weekend we went to Louisiana to visit family and friends before school starts. I met Christy, Bridget, and Melody at Storyland in City Park for Reagan's birthday. The weather didn't cooperate with us and neither did Callie---this is the only picture I could get of her smiling. She found out that the carousel was broken; it was all downhill from there.

Bridget's little girl, Charley and Christy's little girl Tatum.

We also went to visit Chad's PawPaw in the hospital. Judging from the sign hanging behind his bed, I don't think he's being the 'ideal patient.'

The kids and MawMaw Mae

We were also able to help celebrate my nephew Chase's 2nd birthday. It was Chuck E. Cheese for the kids and boiled crabs for the adults. Once again the weather was terrible, but the crabs were incredible!

Jay and Callie as Hannah Montana

The kids playing in the hot tub with PawPaw. I don't think it was as relaxing as Paw Paw would have liked.

But they had fun anyway!

We love you PawPaw. Thanks for another great weekend of golf and seafood.

Old MacDonald's Farm

On Sunday, we met the Fosters at Old MacDonald's Farm in Humble. It was a nice little 'hillbilly' area with pony rides, forts, mini-train rides, and a petting zoo. The kids had a blast running around the farm.

E-I-E-I-O
Mace, Sam, Cole, Jake, and Callie

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

Callie was a little nervous, but tried to be very brave!

I love this picture of Samantha--she looks like a real cowgirl, pigtails and all!

Callie enjoying the train ride.
And yes, I realize how much she looks like her mother!

"Here! Just take the dang food, but DON'T TOUCH ME!"

We ALL enjoyed ourselves on the ropeswing.
Here's Chad following doctor's orders.

Cooling Off

On Thursday, we met up with Terri, Samantha and Cole at Creekside Pool. It is the newest pool in The Woodlands , and it was really cool. It had a massive play area for kids , a lazy river, and a bigger waterslide for older kids. We stayed all day and the kids had a blast.

Callie and Sam posing with the Red Cross Safety Guy

The kids loved the huge bucket of water that would tip onto the crowd---here's all the kids getting drenched.

On Saturday, we drove to Katy to visit with the Goodnights and Abneys. We spent the day at the Abneys swimming and the guys boiled crawfish----so yummy!

Callie and Megan enjoying watermelon.

The little daredevils--Megan and Ashleigh

My FAVORITE picture of the day!
Goody is throwing Mace across the pool----check out CRAIG in the background!!!

Visiting Family

Last week, the kids went to LA to stay with their cousins and Nana while Chad had his knee surgery. They had fun swimming, going to movies, eating pizza and hanging out. Thank you so much, Nana and Nannie for taking the kids. I'm sure it was hectic, but I know they made some great memories!

Mace and Jake were so glad to see Nate and had a blast playing Guitar Hero. Nannie even spiked their hair so they could be 'real rockstars'.

Emma even 'jammed' with the guys for awhile.

Callie's FAVORITE part of the entire vacation were some cats her Nannie has taken in. She was completely obsessed with them the entire time and STILL talks about them EVERY DAY!!

Once the kids were home, they were 'feeling' Daddy's pain.
On Monday, MeMe, Uncle Shane and Chase stopped for a visit. They were returning from a vacation in Dallas so they decided to stay a night with us.
Little Chase was in such a great mood!

Here's MeMe trying out Jake's ripstick.
Jake yelled, "Let Go! You're going to kill us both!"
Uncle Shane playing ball with the kids at the in-line hockey ring.We're so glad we could visit with the McCarthys--maybe next time they can stay longer!