Hurricane Ike

I have gotten absolutely nothing accomplished today. I have spent most of the day in front of the TV watching hurricane updates and footage. I find it fascinating to watch, but very scary when you have friends and family in the path. My sister and her family are in Houston and my cousin and her family are in League City. We are praying for everyone!

Nanny and Papa

Nanny and Papa came to visit a few weeks ago. We had a great weekend. We headed to the zoo early on Saturday morning. I am so glad we did because it got hot! I think everyone had a good time.

A great looking group of monkeys:

Jim, Kayla, Darlene, and Caroline

We have been to the zoo so many times, and I don't think we have ever seen the snapping turtle move. It was all over the place. The kids were fascinated watching it swim.

A little play time...too bad the new ice cream shop was not open yet!

We have a really neat exhibit at the zoo right now called Feather Fest. We spent a good amount of time in there. They give you a stick with bird seed on it and there are birds flying everywhere. Kayla loves when the birds will get on her hand.

Caroline is trying to get used to the birds...She is starting to like it...
But then the birds start flying in a big group from one end to the other. Here she is ducking...

We had a great day. Thanks for making the trip up here!

New Soccer Season

Kayla had her first soccer game of the season last Saturday. She moved up to the Under 8 Division. This is the first season with an all girls team. They play 4-v-4 the length of the field. Our poor team has 4 girls who I don't think have ever touched a soccer ball before. One of them likes to lay down on the field, and stay there. It will be an interesting season. It is Andy's first time NOT to coach. Kayla is having a hard time with that, but I think it is probably for the best. He needed a break.


This is our first season to have a "real" uniform instead of just a t-shirt. As much as I did not like having to pay for it, I think she looks pretty cute!

She is #16. Here she is making a goal. Way to go Kayla!!

First Piano Lesson

Kayla had her very first piano lesson today. Her teacher's name is Denise. She is very nice and worked really well with Kayla. I don't know the first thing about piano, but she has a bachelors and a masters in Piano Performance. That sounds pretty good to me! Kayla really enjoyed it and wants to "play as good as Aunt Jenny."

A Great Day

We all had a great day today. Kayla was very excited that her friends Libby and Mallory got to come over early this morning and ride the bus with her to school. She was the "Student of the Day" in her class today. She got to bring home a giant worksheet which she is having a great time using to play school. Oh the things Caroline has learned today!!



This afternoon Caroline and I got to play with my friend's baby while she went to an appointment. Caroline was so excited when she woke up from her nap and found Baby Cole.

Andy and I bought bikes this weekend. We pretty much hated both of them by Sunday night. We took a piece off of my bike, put the baby seat together, discovered it would not fit on my bike, took a part off of Andy's bike, discovered the seat would not fit on his bike either, bought a different baby seat, put it together, it does not fit on Andy's bike, and surprise, it does not fit on my bike either. I returned my bike this morning. I bought one with no bells and whistles and called my dad for help. (Andy is in Wichita today.) It took a while, but the seat is on. Thank you dad! I know Andy thanks you too! Whoever made the seat never actually attached it to a bike! We went for a ride tonight. Caroline never made a peep, other than the few times she said "Momma - go faster." I think she will like it. It is so much easier than chasing Kayla while pushing Caroline in the stroller.

She really is having a great time!!

A Sad Day

It was a sad afternoon in our house today. Kayla came home from school today to find her fish, Thomas, at the bottom of his tank. We knew this was coming. He had some sort of growth in the front part of his body, and he was not moving around very much. Kayla cried and cried. She flushed him down the toilet and cried some more. Then her friend Patrick rang the doorbell and she never mentioned the fish again. She did not even tell Andy about it tonight. How quickly she recovered from the loss of her first pet!

First Day of School!!!

Today is Kayla's first day of 1st grade. She was not excited until she met her teacher yesterday. Her name is Ms. Walton and she seems very nice. Hopefully it will be a great year!

Kayla was so excited this morning she could barely eat her breakfast.

We walked to school this morning because the traffic is always terrible the first few days.

Our neighbors and good friends Libby and Mallory walked with us.

The first day of school is so much more fun when you get to start the day with your friends!

Kaylie, Libby, and Kayla ready to see their new class!

She is growing up so fast - no more cubbies!

This is Kayla with her new teacher, Ms. Walton. She has NEVER let me take a picture of her with her teacher on the first day of school. I have a great feeling about this teacher.

Now that they are in 1st grade they get to have a morning recess. When they get to school they can play outside until the bell rings at 8:20. Here they are heading back to class.

Kayla thought I was done taking pictures. I could not resist getting a shot of her at her desk. I can't believe she is in first grade!

I was trying to get Caroline to do a "hooray they are back in school" happy dance with me, but I am pretty sure she just thought I was crazy!

I hope that she has a great first day. I can't wait to hear all about it.