Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Summer Wrap-Up

Here are a few final summer activities we've done around here.


The last couple of days of swim class include "diving day" and "show off day".  Here are photos from that.  Mikaela has really enjoyed swimming these last few weeks.












sitting on the side to watch sister


being in the water looked like too much fun



with her teacher, Charlotte

On the last day before Nick started preschool, we took the kids to Sea Life Grapevine.  They had a great time.
















Mikaela also rode the carousel in the mall after lunch.


Wednesday, August 12, was Nicholas' first day of Preschool.  He looked so grown up in his school uniform.  I can't wait to see all her learns this year.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Our Little Fish and other things...

Mikaela has finally taken to the water.  For the past two summers, she's talked herself into going down slides and dunking under the water, but when we actually arrived at the pool, the bravery vanished.  However, last night, with Daddy's coaching, she took to the water and went down the slide a dozen times.  We are proud of her!








Here are some other photos of happenings for our family:
running through the sprinklers at Graempa's

Moreland Family Water Park
 The Farmers Branch Firehouse Theater is performing Oklahoma.  Mike and I got a date out to see it on opening night.
 We had the opportunity to baby sit a precious baby girl of our dear friends from VVCC.  The kids and I had a blast!



Mikaela lost her first tooth back the first week of June.  She was super excited for a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

 Fun at the mall:



Father's Day

self-inflicted sticker mania


Sunday, July 5, 2015

Making a Change

About a year ago, we started discussing the possibility of making a move. Mikaela only had one more year until Kindergarten.  We planned to enroll her in a dual language program*.  We'd either stay in our current district, where the best school for the program was 20 minutes south (in Farmers Branch), or move 5 minutes north to be in a new district, which also has a well established dual language program.  So... we decided we'd start fixing up our house a little and see what we thought.  In December, 2014, we redid our floors.  Still not convinced we were moving, we figured we'd at least enjoy the floors ourselves (and we have!). A lot of life happened Jan - April, but we finally made the decision to stay within our current district, but move south to Farmers Branch, closer to Mikaela's school, our church, my family, and many of our friends.  With this move we are also looking to downsize significantly.  We'd like less house (and more money) to travel with the kids, to entertain a less demanding career path for Donna, and just simplify our lives a little.  We know this move will be a great thing for us.  So after almost 9 years, we are closing the door on this chapter and excited to see what new adventures await.






In the past nine years we've:
*built a fence
*replaced the back windows
*replaced some blinds
*remodeled the upstairs
*remodeled the downstairs/kids bathroom
*replaced the cook top
*replaced the floor in all but the downstairs bedrooms and stairs (carpet)
*built in shelving for the under staircase pantry
*painted all rooms but the upstairs bath and master bath
*planted two trees
*replaced light fixtures
*replaced bathroom fixtures
*replaced a kitchen sink
*remodeled our closet with a wire shelving closet system
*replaced a garage door opener

And probably a few other things I'm forgetting...

We'll look back on this house with fondness for many memories made here:
*getting all 3 children in this house (yes I'm including our four legged doggie child; no, this isn't a pregnancy announcement)
*3 great vacations while living here
*two jobs (including Mike's current one)
*church change
*medical stuff (wreck; Mike's back surgery)
*30th birthdays

And probably several other things I'm forgetting...

At the moment - we are waiting for a contract on our home.  When that comes, we'll then begin the process of finding one to move into.  Temporarily if need be, we'll reside with my folks in Farmers Branch.

*dual language - Mikaela's day will consist of both Spanish and English instruction to give her an opportunity to leave elementary school as a truly bilingual student.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Hello Again!

I was pleased to realize it hadn't been that long since my last blog post.  I know, it's still been a while.  Well, we've been busy with home improvement projects (more on that later), trying not to float away from all the rain, and just generally living life.

Recent news around here:  Mikaela lost her first tooth yesterday, June 3rd.  Graemma made her a tooth fairy pillow a year or so ago, and we finally got to use it.  Mikaela put her took in the pillow pocket and went to bed.  During the night, the Tooth Fairy came to leave a quarter and take the tooth.  She even left a little note congratulating Mikaela's first tooth lost.  And then when morning came, Mikaela found her quarter... and the tooth still in the pocket.  I guess the Tooth Fairy kind of forgot the whole concept of her job.  Oh well, better luck next time.



Funny thing Nicholas said:

"Dad!  I saw a truck!"*
"Really?  What color was it?"
"Big!"

*Yes, Nick says full sentences.  No, they aren't always 100% clear.  We still don't always know what he's saying.

And now for pictures:


Mike's recent painting

a painting date

first swim party of the summer - at an indoor pool due to weather

doing a puzzle at a baby shower

Happy Memorial Day!

Who needs toys when you've got a brother and a box on wheels?


At least they play together well

He wanted me to take his picture and then he did this...

Meeting Baby Nicole Burns.  My kids look huge!

Daddy Day

Working at Lowes