Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!!!!

I hope everyone has had a blessed 2010. I can't believe it is almost over myself. It is so true when people say time goes by soooooo fast when you have kids.

Just a little about the family....

I can't believe my little man is going to be 6 in just a few months. This year he started Kindergarten and LOVES it. We love his school. It is small, the teachers are great, and it only takes 5 minutes to get there. He played Soccer this fall and seemed to enjoy it. He really loves to draw and was saying today how he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He will be having a very Star Wars, Ben 10, and Lego Christmas this year. He actually lost his first tooth this evening (Dec. 19th). He had lots of questions about how the whole tooth-money exchange worked. Hope I explained it ok! He is a sweet, quiet, handsome little boy and makes his mom and dad very proud!

With Katelyn's late birthday she is home with Mommy this year with no preschool. On Tuesday morning when I go to bible study she goes to her own little class. She cried and cried the first couple weeks but now goes right in and loves it. She is the complete opposite of Sam. More large motor then fine. She loves to talk....and tell people what to do ;) Today, when leaving the Mexican resturant we had lunch at she had most of the place looking at us and laughing because she said about 10 times and very LOUD that she was going to take her drink to the car by herself. Of course she too is a sweet, beautiful little girl and she tells us she loves us 50 times a day which we enjoy!

Not much new with the hubby and myself. I did just realize that it was 10 years ago today when we went up to Chicago and he proposed!

Really wish I would have done cards this year. There are so many cute cards out there. My old college roommate actually has a few on Snapfish that are super cute. Maybe next year right?!

Hope everyone has a great rest of 2010 and an even better 2011!!!!!!

Pictures of course......

Sam and Katelyn before they went to see Santa at SF.
Summer 2010Fall 2010We took family pictures this year with both families.
My Side....Mikes Side....

Us...

Happy Fall...

I just love my kiddos. More to come....

We love parades!!

We went to several parades this past weekend. One of them was ISU Homecoming parade. Katelyn got to see our friend Molly. She learned some new dance moves that is for sure. Here they are dancing away> Molly was doing the hip action and Katelyn was raising the roof. What is an ISU parade w/o Reggie?!

They are just too cute.

We also went to the High School Parade with our friends Rachel, Sarah, and our cousins Lexi and Lindsay.

And what the kids like the best....ALL THE CANDY THEY GOT!!!!

Off Roading....

Katelyn got to drive Sam's Truck the other day. As you can see....Sam did have to assist. He called her a crazy driver. but look how much fun she was having....Look mommy, no hands!

Oops...off the curb. Oh well, better luck next time...if Sam lets her drive again!

Bowling Fun!!

Aunt Amy, Meemaw, Papa and I took the kids bowling before they started Kindergarten. They are such good friends. Makes me remember being friends with my cousins when I was little. Our kids are lucky b/c they are in the same town! Before we left I put the girls hair up like Katelyn wears her's. They all looked so cute in their pig tails!

School...

Sam's 1st Day of 3's Preschool... Last Day of 3's Preschool... Sam's 1st Day of 4's Preschool...

Last Day of 4's Preschool...
AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....

1st Day of Kindergarten!!

Sam had a great 1st week. He had friends coming up to him on the second day that knew his name and wanted to play. You like your teacher, the Art teacher, the principal.

We went to a PTO picnic on Tuesday the 31st. You had 4 boys following you around. Right when we walked up one of the boys said he had been looking all over for you. And the GIRLS...WOW. They wanted to hold your hand. One of them said you were K U T cute (I didn't tell you that though ;) You also told us that one of them kissed you....not sure how we really felt about that. We told you not to let girls kiss you...and you dont need to be kissing them. It is to early, not for school...but it melts my heart.....

The day goes by so fast w/o you here. I can't wait until it is time for the bus to get here! We are so happy that you enjoy going...and the school is just great.

Can't wait to watch you grow...well....I can wait....I wish time would not go so fast....but it has to happen so... ;)

The time has come....

SAMUEL -

Look at that adorable little man...it seems like just yesterday you were that small. And now you are 5 and a 1/2 and headed to Kindergarten on Monday. I am trying so hard to be strong for you. I am trying to hold back the tears. I have been so lucky to have spent your childhood with you...those young, sweet, special years that have just been the best of my life. I hope that your father and I have raised you right so far. I know you will make us so proud. Mommy is going to miss you so much, but I am so excited for you to meet new friends, and learn all kinds of new and fun things.

We love you buddy. Good luck. And if you see mommy cry a little bit on Monday, or when I drop you off on Tuesday for your first full day, just know they are tears of happiness. They really are. Because you make me sooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy :)

Love,
Mommy

Your #1 fan!

Happy 4th....Belated

Hope everyone had a great Holiday. We sure did. Had some great quality family time and good time with friends. Here are a few pictures. We took family pictures... The kiddos on thr 4th before we went to the parade!

All the kids at our house on the 4th. Such a fun time ;)

30 Something

I need to get on here and post some more pictures. It has been awhile. But I just wanted to blog something so I can look back...which is what the whole blog really is. Anyway, I have had a wonderful week/weekend, and it was awesome that my birthday just happen to fall in there!

This week was VBS at our church. I have volunteered for snacks the last 3 years. It is awesome. It is so nice to visit with people, and walk around and see the kids...but not have to be with the kids. I know that is horrible, but it was great. I have made some very dear friends at my church in the last year. We have a great Mornings with Mom's group. It is so nice to be able to share with women that are going through some of the same stuff with their kids. I am going to need them here pretty soon when Sam starts Kindergarten.

Thursday after the whole VBS celebration I got to go out with some of the ladies that put the whole thing on. Boy, were they pooped. They do such an awesome job. I hope they get some much needed sleep next week. It was great going out with them. The conversation was so entertaining!

Then Friday I got to go out to eat with my mother and father in law and the family. I think the Mexican resturant has got way to much business from us lately. Got some yummy cookie from Mrs. Fields and was going to get my present but my daughter took it and hid it from me.

Friday night I went out with some awesome girls....Laura and Emily from church, and my besties Alexis and Marla of course! We had such an awesome time. Ate at a Tapas place which was awesome and then went out until almost 1 just hanging out talking. I wish I could do that every weekend.

My parents were out of town, so they are taking me out tomorrow for lunch! And then I might take the kids to the pool!

One of the best birthdays I have had in a long time. Thank you my friends and family so much for a great Birthday weekend!

Now, I just need to get my lazy butt upstairs to go thru some pictures!

So very Blessed,
M

So Happy Together...most of the time ;)

LOVE THEM!!

Sam's Swim Lessons

I really never thought I would see the day where Sam was doing any of these things. He use to HATE getting his face under water and would grab his teacher whenever she put him on his back. Now he is ....

Putting his head under and kicking with assistance. Floats on his back like a champ!

Floats on his belly with head under ;)

And Drum Roll Please....went off the diving board on his first try. See that boy in the red and blue. He had to be thrown in after standing up on the board for 5 minutes. Sam was behind him and I was sure he would do the same thing. Nope he just walked up and jumped...

I actually got his first jump on tape....please ignore my really weird reaction noise ;)

My little Diva

Seriously. Look at her. She was laying down the other day so I got down with my camera and this is what she gave me first. She can really act...you should have seen her at the table tonight...Her and her dad had a staring contest. She got in trouble and Dadoe was giving her the look and she just gave the look right back and didn't let down...it went on for at least a minute or more. I had to control myself from busting up laughing.

Then she gives me this. Geez. I have my work cut out for me. But it is the best work ever...even her little diva moments can turn into sweet moments like this..I am so very blessed ;)

Easter 2010

Man, if only it was easier to upload pictures on these blogs. These are all out of order but wanted to pick some of the good ones. Easter morning..found their baskets from the easter bunny. Checking out the goods.

Getting ready to go to church. I just think Katelyn looks so cute in these with her shoes ;) And of course my little man is super handsome!

Got a picture after church with our cousins Lexi and Lindsay. They looked super cute in their new easter dresses.

An Nana's the night before easter having a little easter egg hunt.

Finding an egg at Nana's

Picture with their cousin Ben before the "hunt"

Coloring Easter eggs on Saturday morning. I think they look so much alike in this picture...and Sam looks like his dad.

Showing off one of her eggs.

This was at an easter egg hunt at our church the weekend before. Sam was not happy. You were told to go out and get 10 eggs and come back to make sure everyone got at least 10. Both my kids got 2. At least they gave us some more afterwards..and some friends shared one of their eggs which was sweet.

Making a craft together at church.

Playing a game at church



See what I mean. Out of order. I could click and drag it and get it all in order...like I do with most of them...but not going to. ;) Coloring eggs.

Showing off the finished product. We had a great easter. The weather was really nice...didn't let the rain get us down. At least it was warm and dry on Sunday morning.