August 21, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Joshua!

Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday To You!
Happy Birthday Dear Joshua!
Happy Birthday To You!

August 20, 2009

Back to School!

Today was Nicholas's first day (half day) of 1st grade! Wow. Did I just say 1st grade? Man, that little boy is getting so big! He was so excited to wake up this morning and get ready for his first day back to school. I hope getting up for school continues to be this easy.

After putting on his backpack and posing for a couple of "first day of school" snap shots, Nicholas and I headed off to school. Grandma Connie was waiting for our arrival and even walked with us to Nicholas's new classroom! He was all grin as we made our way to the last door on the right, Mrs. Mueller-Hamman's classroom.......1st grade here he comes!

He looked around at his new room and searched for familiar faces. He has lots of friends in his class this year! After putting away all of his new supplies, it was time for me to leave. This time (believe it or not) I didn't cry. I was happy because he was happy. This boy loves school and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Here is First Grader Nicholas.

Lets do this!

Nicholas meeting Mrs. Mueller-Hamman for the first time.
Welcome to 1st grade!
Putting away his school supplies

No more sitting at tables.
He has his very own desk! He was very excited about that!

Getting down to business

I took this picture as I was walking out the door. As I left, he mouthed an unprompted, "I love you mom." Even though he is a BIG 1st grader now, he will always be my baby!

August 11, 2009

Where did the time go?




























Today, is our last full day here in Texas (sniffle...sniffle...boo-hoo-hoo!). Tomorrow evening, the boys and I head back home to see Daddy and Bella (yeah!). It seems like we just got here, but in reality we have been here for a week. The time sure does go fast when you are having fun and we sure have had our fair share!

Yesterday, we packed Grandpa and Grandma's car and headed to Corpus Christi. That's right, we went to the beach. This was the first time the boys have seen and swam in the ocean! They even had a special playing partner, cousin Julia, come along for the trip. We were able to get a hotel room at the Naval Base so we turned the trip into an overnight stay! This meant that we could go to the beach twice!


Nicholas and Joshua were amazed at all of the water and sand they saw. Nicholas's exact words were, "Whoa! That's a lot of water!" They were so excited to play in the sand. They used their shovels and buckets to build sand castles and dig for sea shells. Next came the water. They had so much fun splashing and jumping in the waves. I will admit that I was a nervous wreck watching them in the water even though I was just an arms length away. The waves just pull you in and before you know it you are in a lot further than you wanted to be. I especially had to keep my eye on my dare devil, Joshua. That child has no fear! Noah played on the shore and and enjoyed crawling through the water. He was having fun playing in the sand until he got it in his eye. Poor baby, we had to give him a full body "baptism" in the ocean after that happening. Nicholas enjoyed swimming in the waves with Julia. He had fun digging in the sand and getting buried in it too. We were even able to catch a little crab. Of course we had to leave it behind when we left the beach.

We had such a great time! A HUGE thank you to Grandma Violet/Mom and Grandpa Dan/Dad. You are the best! I will never forget the memories you helped create over the last week. Can't wait to do it again when we come next summer.



August 8, 2009

Shop til you drop!

My trip to Texas is not complete until I journey out to the San Marcos Outlet Malls. Although I am not leaving until Wednesday, I figured that I better go when I get the chance...and today was my chance. I am not sure what I love the most about going to the outlet malls.....the great sales, the fact that I actually get to shop without having to take the boys along, or the fact that I have my favorite shopping partner along (my Mom). Can't wait to wear all my fun purchases!

The boys hung out all day with Grandpa Dan. He took them to the park, out for ice cream at Dairy Queen, and then to the movies to see G Force in 3D. Man, did they have it made or what!?! Gotta love Grandpa Dan.

P.S. Nick if you are reading this...don't worry......I did not spend nearly as much as I wanted to.

August 7, 2009

Our Day at Sea World

Waiting for Shamu.

Noah and his Tia Lala.

Where is Shamu?

There she is!!!

Grandma Violet and Grandpa Dan with Nicholas and Joshua on the Shamu Roller Coaster!

Grandpa Dan and Nicholas. As you can see in the picture, Grandpa LOVED it. Nicholas, on the other hand, had mixed feelings.

Maybe not. Look at his expression in this picture! That was fun!

Noah and his Grandpa.

Tia Lala staying in the shade. It was SOOOOOO HOT!

Joshua and I playing in the kiddy water area.
Nicholas and I.

kids + water = FUN TIMES!

Shamu waving good-bye to us with her tail.



After lounging pool side all afternoon/evening yesterday, I am now fully recovered from visiting Sea World. We had so much fun going to Sea World with Grandpa Dan, Grandma Violet, and Tia Lala. The first thing we did was see Shamu! It was spectacular and beautiful. The boys were in awe when the killer whale jumped out of the water. I tried to get them to sit in the "splash zone", but they did not want any part of that. After the Shamu show we (my mom, sister, Joshua, and I) got in line to ride the Journey to Atlantis (part roller coater, part water ride with a breathtaking plunge). It was SO FUN! I still can not believe my Joshua went on it! Nicholas chose to sit this one out with grandpa Dan an Noah. However, they did stand in the "splash zone" when the ride came plummeting down.

After all the roller coaster rides, shows, and lunch, we headed to the Lost Lagoon water park. We spent the majority of our afternoon here. The water felt great. After all, it was only a mere 102 degrees out (gotta love the Texas heat) The boys (even Noah) had fun splashing around in the kiddie area. Nicholas LOVED Castaway Crusin' (like a lazy river) were we tubed along a water route. We went on this ride 3 times! Joshua, being the daredevil that he is, went on a water slide ride with Grandpa Dan, Tia Lala, and I.

After a long day, we headed back home. We had such a great time a Sea World. A big thank you to our Daddy for getting us in for free by serving our country ( "A Salute to Heroes" a military promotion) and Grandpa Dan and Grandma Violet for taking us!

August 4, 2009

We made it!

After a flight delay, (due to "minor" mechanical problem....why in the heck do they disclose that stuff to you....I swear....) the boys and I made it to San Antonio safe and sound. They boys were super excited to be deep in the heart of Texas. I was already treated to Taco Cabana for dinner by my Mom (my favorite place to eat while visiting) It's like a Taco Bell, but 100 times better! The boys spent the majority of the evening reacquainting themselves with Grandma and Grandpa's house (it didn't take them very long). I headed to the grocery store with my mom to pick up some snacks for our much anticipated trip to Sea World in the morning.

I will probably not be able to post any pics while on our trip, but I promise to do so when we get home next Wednesday.

Noah waiting for our airplane to arrive.

The other two were too excited to sit still for a picture.

August 3, 2009

Whirl Wind of a Weekend

Friday: It's Homecoming time here in good ol' Mascoutah!
If you have never had the pleasure of going to a Mascoutah Homecoming than you, my friend, have been deprived. It's one of our favorite times of the year. As a matter of fact, I think Nick enjoys the it more so than Christmas. You can't beat the food, fun, family, friends, and let me not forget the buckets of beer! This year the boys (even Noah) had a blast riding all the carnival rides. Noah was able to ride on the cars with his older 2 brothers. He did not make much of a reaction. He just sat and sucked his thumb while going around and round. Nicholas and Joshua's favorite ride was the Apples (giant apples that go around in a circle plus spin)








Saturday: Mandy and Justin get hitched!
Mandy (Nick's cousin on his Dad's side of the family)and Justin asked Nicholas to be the ring bearer in her wedding. Initially (and I am not sure why), Nicholas was reluctant of having to perform this duty. However, after receiving all the compliments of how nice/handsome he looked and what a great job he did, he was pretty happy with his decision to walk down the aisle. Plus, he walked with his two cousins, Camryn and Sydney. All 3 of them looked like professional ring bearer and flower girls. As a matter of fact, Angie and I might start renting them out for weddings. Just kidding! The wedding was beautiful and the reception was fun! I love weddings and this one was no exception especially since my little man was in it!
















Sunday: More Homecoming!
Homecoming came to an end on Sunday. Since we did not get to see the parade on Saturday, we pack up our lawn chairs and head over to the elementary school to see it on Sunday. Our parade is always so much fun to watch. I am not sure who enjoys it the most me or the boys. I love parades! Anyhow, who cares if I am 29 and get excited when I hear the marching bands. All that matters is the memory of sitting next to my boys as the parade goes by. Till next year.............