First Day of School - Already???

So I cannot believe that summer vacation is over. It doesn't seem right that it is 105 degrees outside and we have to go to school instead of sit by the pool sipping lemonade & enjoying ourselves. Oh well, such is life!

Anyway , McKinney - today is your first day of kindergarten. You have NOT been at all excited about school until this morning. At breakfast you finally said, "I'm exited". I was so relieved to hear that.

Rebekah - you are obviously growing up. I can tell this from the lack of smile on your face for these pictures. You did not want me taking pictures of you, especially in front of the "first day of school sign". Anyway, you were excited, despite the look on your face!!

On the way to school.

Micah, you said take my smile Mommy. I love your sweet smile!!

We took Rebekah to school first. She is at the intermediate school this year, so this is a new experience for her this year. Her teacher, Mrs. Smith, seems really great and I think Rebekah will have a great year!

McKinney, you are at the primary school. Look how big you are and I love to see the smile on your face.

You have the best kindergarten teacher ever. You are going to have a great year. I am excited to see how much you learn and grow throughout this year!

You are already enjoying the fun activities Mrs. Johnston has planned for you.

And the end of the day was the best. Seeing you get off the bus was wonderful. You had a BIG grin on your face and I knew you had loved the bus ride home. That was the only thing you were looking forward to this morning!!

You both had great first days. Now we only have about 175 school days left until we can enjoy summer vacation again!!

Starting Kindergarten Party

McKinney - you have been pretty apprehensive about starting kindergarten. So, Gaga decided to have a Starting Kindergarten Party for you and your cousins that are also starting kindergarten. I thought this was a great idea and I think the kids really enjoyed it. They had a costume parade, they drew pictures of what they wanted to wear to school on the first day, they played games with prizes, and they decorated sandwich boxes. What a fun idea and a great day!!

You are much more excited and ready for school now. Thanks Gaga!!
The three kindergarten cousins.

Back to School Big Canoe Trip

We have had a wonderful, but crazy summer. So, I decided that a little getaway before school starts back was definitely in order. Thanks to our sweet friend, the Willimason's, we were able to enjoy the beauty of Big Canoe again this year. You kids are really starting to LOVE going to Big Canoe. You both told us that you would rather go to Big Canoe than to the beach - wow!! That shows how great this place is and how much fun we have here together!!!

Hiking to the waterfalls is always a highlight of the trip.

My beautiful girl ~ you love being outside and hiking. I love how much you love to try new things and get outside and have FUN!!

McKinney, you are always looking for an adventure. You want to hike the tallest mountain and try to get to the most out of the way rock to stand on. I love you little guy!!

The highlight of this trip was most certainly the rock slide. Big Canoe has created a wonderful slide out of some rocks near the swimming area. The kids loved it!!! They both went down as much as they wanted to and even Micah went down (unfortunately we don't have a picture of you little buddy because Daddy & I both had to go down with you). This was so much fun and although the pictures are a little blurry - we can still see the joy on your faces as you slide into the cool mountain water!

The beach was so much fun. You all loved every part of playing in the sand, swimming in the lake, etc.

Especially you ~ Micah - you still ask everyday, "are we going to the 'yake'"

Relaxing in the cabin after showers and dinner was fun too.

McKinney, you enjoyed a fun adventure with Daddy. You went out on the lake in a canoe. This was so much fun for you.

Sweet :)

Every single part of this trip was GREAT!! I truly cannot wait to go back and create more memories with this precious family that God has blessed me with!!