Some Boy Times

This year has proven to be quite busy with both kids in school 4 days a week but I still have Fridays with my little man and we are trying to make some fun memories. He has also started his first extra curricular activity-karate! It is so fitting to little Isaac. He is loving it and earned his first belt-white belt and two stripes. Ask him and it will make his day! Here are some shots of me and the little man.

Mom's Big 35!

In the middle of back to school madness I always get to celebrate a birthday. This year was lovely with no big trips to the hospital (if you missed it that was last year!). It was really a nice weekend to take it easy and some fun times with Nick, the kids, and friends. I also got really a two week fun time as I got to celebrate with my sister and mom the weekend before. (Big thanks to my dad and bro-in-law for keeping the kids!) It's been fun and not really a big deal to turn 35. Thanks goodness! I have been also really enjoying my new stander mixer from Granny Van and my new C table from Gigi. I think Isaac might even be enjoying them as much as me!

One last Hurrah= Dallas Aquarium

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I meant to slip this in before the back to school shot but oh well. The day after we returned from our trip, Vivi got to take one last hurrah for the summer with her Girl Scouts troop to the Dallas Aquarium. It was a really fun day to enjoy our friends and all the great animals they have there. Enjoy some pics.

Back to School

Now that the kids are back in school does anyone feel crazy?! I certainly do. The kids are doing great, but mommy seems a different story. We are all adjusting to the new schedule and the new preschool for Isaac. Everything as far as teachers and schools are great but I have just been super forgetful and a little flustered trying to keep up with it all. Nick turned to me the other night and said, "You should make some of your lists. I haven't seen you do that in awhile." That did help some and I think a couple weeks in makes a huge difference. Here are a couple of first day shots for the kids with our annual tradition of ice cream after!

Week #13- Travel!!

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So this is the week I've been waiting to post about all summer. It finally came, our big road trip to Chicago for Aunt Janna's wedding! It got off to a rough start with our van tweeking out the night before we left. I was at work and Nick started to do some cleaning and went to crank the engine and everything blinked and went out. He asked my dad to help watch the kids, went and got a new battery and wires, installed it, everything seemed fine until he noticed the door was stuck open (sliding door on a minivan). He spent the next two and a half hours researching and testing any theory he could find to get the door shut. I came home to a lit up house and a man pretty upset to say the least. Our first idea to leave at 5 am got pushed back. We had my dad come back over in the morning to hang with the kids while we took the van to the dealership and begged them to bump us up in line. Surprisingly, we were seen right away, they had the part and fixed it within an hour, with not too crazy of a cost! PRAISE GOD!! We hit the road by 9 am. and arrived in St. Louis by about 9:30 pm. Not too bad time and Nick's sweet brother still came to see us at our hotel to visit for a little bit. We didn't get to swim or relax that much that evening but oh well. The next morning we took our time, got ready, and left the hotel to a beautiful 60 degree sunny morning! We visited the zoo there which was awesome and quite a hike but in that weather we could endure a lot more! By early afternoon the kids were wearing down and we decided to jump back in the car and head to Nick's uncle Scott and aunt Lori's place about 3 hours out. We arrived to their lovely place and took it easy, jumping on the trampoline, relaxing, and eating dinner. Their daughter's were sweet enough to play with our kids so we actually got to enjoy adult conversation! The next day we lounged again more trampoline time, paddle boats, and leisurely breakfast before we went to pick up Nick's 93 year old grandmother. We finally got to see her little place and headed into Chicago another 3.5 hours or so. We arrived in time to help chop a little bit for the guacamole and help set up the outdoor projector for a fun night showing of "Back to the Future" one of Janna's hubby-to-be's favorite movies. Friday was a blur with girls going for pedicures and manicures and guys going to see our nephews karate performance but the rehearsal went well and I think the crazy finally caught up to the kids. (Check out the pic of Isaac asleep under the table at rehearsal dinner.) Saturday morning was relaxed enough but we started getting ready and again it was a bit of shuffling but mostly brought on by my lack of practice time with Vivian's hair and no curling iron. Fortunately, my sister-in-law Kammie came to the rescue and we borrowed her's. Vivian's hair turned out really sweet. (Check out those cute shots of mommy working her magic!) The wedding was beautiful and Janna made a lovely bride, but I do have to say the kids stole the show once the dancing broke out. You couldn't get Isaac and his cousin Noah off the floor! They were doing the robot and their version of a break dancing move where they spun on the floor. It was quite entertaining. I guess Isaac had made up for the sleep as he danced until about 11 pm shutting down the dance floor! Sunday we got up and headed out around 9 am again making it to Little Rock where I begged Nick to get us a room for rest and he agreed. We headed on home arriving a little after lunch and back into the crazy with a meet the teacher that very night! WOW, it was a whirlwind but lots of fun. Enjoy the slideshow!

Week #12- Jen's Week

This first week in August was a little different than the rest of the summer. I had the great priviledge of getting to participate in some special training that our company The Container Store provided for all employees before a new store opening. Since our store was moving down the street, they considered it like a new store opening. All week long the kids stayed with different friends while I went to work. First, it really made me appreciate good friends and family that helped in a time of need. A special thanks to Angie, Brenda, mom, and Rachel!! Second, it really made me appreciate all my working friends and hubby. Another special thanks to Nick who was fantastic in support and help that week! (It was tough working full time hours and coming home to responsibilities here with my family.) Finally, it really made me appreciate my company for investing so much in us. I had a great time learning so much, getting to see the inner workings of our company and corporate headquarters and meeting all kinds of wonderful and passionate people! This week the only pics I have are with co-workers new and more seasoned, pics of the food at our party, and pics of the CEO's. Please, if you have not come and seen our new store, do so! It's truly amazing and a gift to all of us!

Week #11- Sports

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What can I say, summer has officially gotten away from me! I am very behind but thought I would try to do a little catching up. Our last week in July, we studied Sports. I planned a few things and few impromptu visits happened as well. The main highlights included using up our free passes to activities like putt-putt and a CATS baseball game, having some good friends over to use our new volleyball/badmitton net, and participating in our first ever gymnastics camp (themed Olympics). We also got to just have a relaxing day swimming with our cousins and some days hanging at home. Our final surprise, we caught wind (thank you Jessica) of an end of the summer party at our library with a chocolate fountain and all kinds of activities. Enjoy the slideshow.