Posers, Poultry, Parties, and Packin' up Camp

Faith got her school pictures back and I had to share them.  So senior posey.



My parents were able to steal away for about a week to come see us over Thanksgiving.  This was Thanksgiving dinner.  Yes, the men are all MIA.  For Ryan's birthday they "went" to the final A&M game against UT.  Well, they almost went.  Since they didn't feel right spending $250 a ticket they ended up walking around campus and seeing the game on TV in the student center.  We, however, enjoyed a lovely meal of turkey, apple sausage stuffing, candied yams, homemade dinner rolls, cranberries and pumkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust.  YUM!



My parents joined us to meet up with Ryan's extended family at a place called Canyon of the Eagles.  It's a resort inside a state park near Burnet.  We had a great time hiking, eating and catching up with all of them.  Then it got a little chilly.  Since there were no tvs in the rooms, and our kids are too little to appreciate board games, we had to high tail it out of there a tad earlier than planned.



Drew was captivated by Graham's musical talents.




We were able to celebrate Drew's first birthday with everyone. It was so neat to have our familes all together to love on him.  I love his expression here as my dad pretends to blow out his candle.  Like "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"  He keeps us smiling with all of his many and varied expressions.  Such a sweet boy!  We love you Drew, Drew!

Oh, and I had to add this random video.  Zach loves for Drew to be his passenger.  Check out their "helmets".  Yes, they each have half of a shape sorter ball.

 

Faith is missing a baby...

tooth!  Her first one came out this morning while daddy drove her to school.  She's going to put it under her pillow tonight and see what happens since she's skeptical about the tooth fairy:)

Fall is here, right?

So fall is upon us, I guess.  We went to a fall festival at a nearby church, so it must be!  With the temperatures dropping down to the 70's, I can finally wear pants and not look like I'm trying to hide unshaven legs. 

Faith made a scarecrow. (Her words, she wanted to do a caption for her picture:)

Catwalk Woody

Drew Oneyear (almost).

Faith decided to attempt the rockwall they had there.  Ok, not just decided, insisted.  I was so proud of her.  I don't know if it was the costume, but there really is a Jesse/Annie Oakley spirit in that girl!

Another Zach Special

This is how I was awakened this morning being "offered" a drink.

Birthdays, Birthdays and More Birthdays...

  We went to the Darter girls birthday last weekend and Faith was in princess heaven.  She got to pick out a dress and get her hair and makeup done.  I think you can tell what she thought of it by the second picture...

On Zach's actual birthday, we set up his new car garage on the train table in his room so when he woke up in the morning he would see it. 

We celebrated his birthday today with a messy theme.  We set up different stations: sidewalk chalk on the walkway and up the side of the slab on the house, bubbles, pool, paint your own face, slip and slide, make your own play dough and oobelek.

And this was where he was happiest.

This was Gema's view of the party.

The pool was a big hit despite the fact it was on a hill and the water would pour out one end.

Our meal consisted of tacos-in-a-bag and watermelon, followed by a decorate-your-own cupcake bar.  It was adequately messy.



And his favorite present?  The boxes, of course!



Faith's first day of kindergarten and lesser firsts...

So here she is:  preened, packed, and proud to be a kindergartener.  I've heard moms talk and read books (both adult and preschool) about the drama surrounding the first day of kindergarten.  Not so much for the child as the parent.  I was so excited for Faith to begin this new phase, I guess I forgot to be an emotional wreck.  Or maybe I worked it out in the months (years?) leading up to the decision of where (and if) to send her.  I think it is just confirmation from the Lord that this was the right place for this time.  It's only a one-year deal, so we'll have to begin hashing out what to do for next year soon.  She has SO enjoyed her first few days of school and already has found her soul sister:)

She is in Mrs. Pennekamp's Penguin Class.  It seems kindergarten always gets the best- named teachers.  Mine was Ms. Stenjem (not sure about the spelling, I don't think we were required to know that).  Last year they built an igloo out of milk jugs.  I'm hoping this year they'll make parkas so she's ready for Christmas in MN, tee hee.

And we managed to find someone who wasn't too intimidated by our camera to take a family picture. 

Today we went to our first birthday party without Fait and Zach was having a rough time (or maybe he's practicing his pout; he seems to do a lot of that these days).  I think he was lost without his older sister there to pull him all over the park and tell him what to do.  He seemed so forlorn.

I felt two photos were necessary to really capture the mood.

Drew was also having a rough day, but in a different way.  We've gone full stream ahead with solids and the poor boy needs some prunes.

At least we could end with some smiles.

I need a vacation...

We just returned from Minnesota, and I need a vacation!  I love my kids and my family, but whew, I am EXHAUSTED!  8 kids ages 5 and under, traveling the tri-state area, and catching up with old friends in one week's time is daunting to say the least.  But it is SO worth it.  I have the pictures to prove it.  They're in no particular order, so bear with me...

 My dareangel neice, showing Zachary how to ride the ride-on toys.

I think his look matches his shirt, don't you?

My thoughtful family put together an evening where my extended family traveled up to see us.  It was a beautiful evening, great food and of course, fabulous people.  Drew got to stay up late and be passed around to the aunts and cousins.  Of course, these days, there's no shortage of babies to be passed around:)

 

We were able to go to a county fair one morning( in the town where I was born).  Zachary enjoyed the gator coaster...at first...

Nonnie and Faith

So, Ryan could NOT pass up the opportunity to see the site where American Pickers is based in LeClaire, IA.  We were just too close!  My parents, Sara, Mark and kids joined us since they are also avid Picker fans. Drew and Ruby had a ball, as you can see. 

You had to see the episode to appreciate this one.

Future pickers...

Been there, done that.

We were able locate some other points of interest.  Here's Zach thoroughly enjoying the water fountain area we came across.

Nana and Papa's mini-Toys-R-Us never disappoints!

And a final shoot.  This was like 10 of 12. We love you and miss you SOOO much!

Tuckers and Teas

 So I had to capture Zachary's favorite safety items of late...kitty and puppy.  His dad is estatic that he carries around a dog with hearts and a cat (which he disliskes in general; ask him about his cat story in high school).

Many people tell me these two look alike.  Few people tell me that Drew and Faith look similar, which I believe to be the case. 

 This is what my two oldest children wore to Six Flags today:  a dad-made rain poncho.  Those Costco garbage bags are worth their weight in gold!

 Today we had our annual "tea" with Grandmommy.  We've done it every year since Faith was born.  Mamaw used to join us in this venture up until she passed away last year.  We miss you, Mamaw!

Junly

Yes, June and July in one not-so-neat package...

Ryan and I celebrated our 7th anniversary this year.  I asked him if he felt itchy and he said, "What?"  Does anyone else get my little pun?

 And Drew-Drew (as he is affectionately called in our household) has already learned to be a good sport.  I found him wearing one of Faith's old dresses the other day.  He is currently eating solids and packing on the pounds!  He is on all fours and rocking.  I think we may have a crawler soon!

We took a short trip to South Padre recently.  I never realized there was a sea turtle rescue there as well as a bird watching facility.  Leave it to my tour guide husband.

One of those rare family shots...

Ryan actually took Zachary back to the elevator to capture this gem. 

Faith wanted me to add this photo and caption it, "Faith is a big girl now".  Is she ever!  We have "girl's nights" every so often now.  We'll go to a movie or shopping or do our nails at home and eat popcorn and make up new recipes.  I just love my girl!  I'm going to be a wreck when she starts kindergarten.  She's also a little apprehensive, but I know she is going to love it!. 

My sister recently pointed out that Faith sings and hums all the time.  I guess I had become so accustomed to it, I didn't realize it.  This video gives you an idea of how Drew (and I) benefit.  I love that Drew spots the camera and Faith has no idea.