Off to Africa!

Wes left this morning for a journey of a lifetime! After a big homemade breakfast together, me and the kids headed to drop him off to meet his team. 

There weren't any tears from anyone, but we sure are going to miss him! 

I know he is going to have such a great time. Thankful he has the opportunity to go. Can't wait to hear about everything he is experiencing along the way!!

No school!

Hannah has been out of school for Christmas break. Last week we were out of town for Christmas all week, so this week we are busy doing things we can't always do with Hannah during the school week. This morning we headed to bounce at the bounce house place and met daddy for lunch. We made a detour on our way home and stopped for icecream at DQ. 

I'm LOVING the no school thing. I miss the days of sleeping late and no schedule. Can't wait until summer time!! 

Christmas shirts

Thanks, Granna, for our super cute shirts! 

Halloween 2014

Well, I've caught a little flack from grandparents about my blogging, or lack of blogging I should say.  Truth is, lately Ethan and I have been hanging at home most days while Hannah's at school.  We are in a season right now of just taking a step back from extra activities and play dates, so we just enjoy playing legos, playing in dirt and climbing in the tree house most days.  On the days we get out I usually just run an errand or two and come back home until it's time to get Hannah from school.  We sure do miss her during the days.  So with all that said, there aren't many photo-ops these days...usually just us in pajamas playing. But, with Halloween this weekend we had several fun activities.

Thursday Ethan had his costume parade at Mothers Day Out.  He dressed up like lion this year and I'm pretty sure he was the cutest lion I've ever seen. 

Friday Hannah's school had a storybook parade.  This is pretty much just an excuse for the kids to get to dress up on Halloween and keep it somewhat educational.  Hannah, along with 57 other little girls, dressed up as Queen Elsa. She, of course, was the cutest Elsa at the parade.

Friday evening Jenn and James had some neighbors and friends over for chili and playing outside before the trick or treating began.  Wes bought a trailer this summer, so we had a hayride.  It was a lot of fun.  Among the group we had several super hero's, a couple of Elsas, Anna, a few minions, ballerinas, Astrid and her dragon, a little doctor, buzz lightyear and some other really cute ones. 

A terrible picture, but some of the cuteness. 

Such a fun evening at Aunt Jenn and Uncle James'. They are always great hosts! 

School adventures

We are in the full swing of kindergarten at our house. Early bedtime and early mornings have been an adjustment, but we are getting used to it. 

I've send Hannah come out of her shell so much in just a few short weeks. School has already made Hannah thrive in social environments. I'm so thankful for that. 

I've had lunch with her a couple times and I think it's great for both of us to see each other during the day. I miss her so much! I wish I could be a fly on the wall to see what she does all day. She's already learning so much and it is amazing to see her spelling words and identifying words in books. 

I sure wish I could turn back time and have her at home with me everyday, but I truly feel school has been such a good thing for her, which has been a huge answered  prayer. 

First day of school

I'm a little late posting, but Hannah started kindergarten this year! More about that soon, but here she is on the first day: 

So proud of her!! 

Ethan started Mother's Day out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He wasn't so thrilled...

Luckily, he has warmed up to the idea and enjoys it now. 

More to come! 

Discovery science

Hannah has been begging to go to discovery science this summer and I promised we would go before school starts. So we went this past week. 

It was totally packed so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked, but we has time to rock some baby dolls. 

Ever since our nephew Ben was born my kids have been obsessed with babies. It's really sweet. 

We got to see how tall the kids were. 

Growing so big! 

So glad we got to play before school starts! 

Many faces of Ethan

If you are around Ethan for any amount of time, you will quickly discover that he makes the funniest facial expressions! 

He was hamming it up for me the other day. 

Cute no matter what! 

Love this silly boy! 

Beach!

Last week me and a couple girlfriends brought our kiddos to my parents new beach house. We were outnumbered 7 to 3, but we all had a great time! 

My kiddos really loved the beach and I'm so thankful!! Me and Wes are beach people! 

We went to Galveston one day and Mrs. Angela made Hannah the cutest outfit to wear! 

Ethan wore his goggles from sun up to sun down, no matter where we were! 

My sweet girlfriends!!

We hit the waterslides a couple of days and it was a huge hit! Hannah slid by herself  like a big girl and Ethan slid down with me. Such a fun time! 

 

Can't wait to do it again! 

VBS

This week was vacation bible school at our church. I have the best job... I recruit our teachers and then during the week I get to peak in on the classes and see what fun things they are doing. 

 Hannah loved it and got in the car each day ans told me what the Bible story was about and told me what her favorite part of the day was. 

 I think Ethan's favorite part was time on the playground. This boy loves riding a bike. He puts his shirt over his head like this and says he's a ninja. 

This is my crazy friend Angela that helped me recruit workers. This picture was her idea! 

Next year Hannah will be with the big kids and will be able to do even more fun things. So glad my kids have such a great opportunity! 

Splash kingdom

On Thursday we went to splash kingdom, a local waterpark. To say the kids had a blast is an understatement. Hannah has already asked a dozen times when we can go back. 

They has a great little splash area that Ethan loved and also had some big slides that Hannah really liked. I was surprised she wanted to do the huge slides, but she enjoyed it! 

Cousin Andrew ans his Gigi met is there, too. That was a bonus for us. We sure love our cousin! 

Love this sweetie! 

Swimming like a fish. 

Ethan's favorite thing was the lazy river. I think be almost fell asleep! 

Such a fun day!! 

Frozen camp

Before dance let out for the summer I signed Hannah up for Frozen dance camp. It was this past Wednesday and Hannah had a blast. She has her fingernails painted, had her make up done and learned a dance to one of the songs from the frozen soundtrack. 

An added bonus was that her cousins Meagan and Marley did the camp with her. 

One of the helpers for the day fixed her hair just like Elsa from the movie and Hannah thought she was the real Elsa. It was a super fun day for my sweet girl! 

Ready for dancing to start this fall! 

First & Last

I always love to compare how my kids look on the first and last day of a school year. 

Here they are on the first day in August 2013...

And the last day... May 2014 

Cuties!! 

Pre-k graduation

Hannah has been in Mother's Day Out at her school since she was 2. I've seen her turn from a baby to a big girl while attending her school. She "graduated" pre-k a couple of weeks ago and it was a bittersweet moment! She has come so far and is such a smart girl! 

She looked so adorable in her cap and gown! Flash forward 13 years and I'm going to be a wreck! An added bonus at school is that for the past 2 years her teacher has been Aunt Jenn. And, her BFF and cousin, Marley, has been with her from the beginning. We are so sad these two girls won't be at the same elementary schools. 

Proud daddy! 

We are excited to start kindergarten and are so pleased with what Hannah has learned during her years of pre-k. 

Lego land

About a month ago we headed to Lego land for our first time with the Hayes crew. Ethan was in heaven. He is obsessed with Legos! I'm waiting on the day that he can build them himself! 

Ethan's favorite spot was racing his creations. There is a little center to build your car/train/motorcycle and then race it down a ramp. He loved it! 

He was amazed from the beginning. 

Hannah enjoyed it too. There was a big princess castle made from Legos and she spent a lot of time in that.  

She also loved riding the little roller coaster. The faster you peddled the higher you would go in the air. It was fun! 

We will definitely be doing this again!