Jamie is a Senior!

My babysitter, Jamie, is graduating this coming year. I am so excited for her - but so sad for me. She has been an extraordinary blessing to our family! She started babysitting for us when she was 13. Ben was 3 and Will was almost 1. We have really grown to love her and are so thankful to have her in our lives.

We did Jamie's senior pictures this summer while she was home for break. We had a lot of fun! Alot of locations and alot of outfit changes : )

Here are a few photos from our sessions....

My Annual "Back to School Breakfast"

Every year - I do a "Back to School Breakfast" in my driveway for the neighborhood kids who live around us. It's become quite a tradition! The kids ask if we are doing it as the school year approraches. It's a lot of fun for them and for me.

6 dozen donuts, 1 gallon of milk and 40 packs of orange juice

My sweet hubby put up the tent for me to block sun from the kids. Even at 8:30 am - it was warm.

Me, Will and Ben are in our green "One World" shirts : ) Andy's on my lap. I forgot to get him a shirt : (

A few of the kids ....

I had 16 kids come and there's probably still about 5 missing. And these kids live on my street : )

We have a great neighborhood. Lots of kids to play. My kids have grown up with all the kids. It's really special!

It was a fun party with a great turn-out! We are ready for the new school year : )

Meet the Teacher Night

This school year is really exciting - because this year, Ben and Will are going to the same school. Will was able to get a spot at the Academy that Ben goes to - which is awesome! We LOVE our school! It is phenominal and was actually rated #2 in the state of Texas and #1 in North Texas. And we couldn't be more thrilled!

Ben is going into 3rd grade (wow - i still can't believe it) and Will will be starting kindergarten! It's going to be a fun year : )

Here's Ben and Will posing (reluctantly) for me : )

Excuse the hair - we still need haircuts : )

Ben - standing in front of his classroom list for the year

Ben and his friend, Aaron, in his classroom

Will's class room lists. Will wasn't up for much picture taking : (

Here's my sweet kindergartener standing near his classrom table : ) He didn't want me taking pictures of him in front of the other kids. I barely got this!

He was really nervous. He kept telling me how nervous he was and asking if he would see Ben during the day and if Ben was going to walk him to his class everyday. It was sweet and sad. I KNOW he'll be fine - but I am still worried!

Our school theme for this year....

Ben, Aaron and Will being silly ....

Ben : )

William : )

We have all of our school clothes, shoes, supplies - I have joined the PTA and we are ready for a fun, fun year. I'm excited they are both at the same school b/c it makes it easier for me to get involved .... which I plan to do alot!

Happy School Year!

The Herings!

I did family photos for the Herings (my babsitter and her family) before the Hering kids all went back to school and college. We got some great shots. It was a lot of fun! I love hanging out w/them - they are so much fun to be around. I really enjoy them!

I know a little early - but I made a Christmas card for them to use in case they wanted one. I thought it turned out really cute!

Front of card:

Back of card:



My Pre-Birthday Dinner!

My birthday isn't actually until the 23rd - but my babysitter leaves for school early, so I usually have my get together the weekend before.

We went to Gloria's to eat (one of my fav's) and really had a great time!

Me and my guy.

I am the luckiest girl in the world! He's the greatest husband and bestfriend a girl could ask for.

Me and Misty.

She's one of my oldest and greatest friends. We've been friends since we were 7 years old.

I am so thankful for her and her friendship!

Doug and Grace (newlyweds : ).

I have known Grace since High School and really enjoy her.

So thankful she and her sweet hubby were able to come!

My Neighbors (Paula and Dave Guidry).

We are so lucky to have such great friends living right next door.

We see them often and really love spending time with them.

Me and Stephanie.

She was my boss (and friend) when I worked for CASA. So happy she was able to come.

I miss seeing her everyday.

Me and my sweets again : )

Misty and Nacho.

Nacho's gift to me was his handlbars. ha!

After Gloria's, we went to Weekends and had so much fun! I love LOVE these guys and am so thankful for each one of them.

Thank you guys for making my birthday so special! I love you!

Loretta "Charlotte" DeGloria Hays / November 1, 1919 - August 8, 2010

My mom, Aunt Charley and I went to Amarillo for my grandmother's funeral. It was a very sad time. My grandmother is an extraordinary woman and she will be greatly missed! She was 90 years old and her heart was just tired. She died in her sleep at the nursing home where she lived.

Although I am not thankful for the occassion, I am happy I got to spend time w/my family. I'm sad I don't get to see them very often.

My mom and her siblings:

mom, Aunt Charley, Uncle Leroy, Aunt Pam

and Uncle Wayne

my cousin, Nena & Greg

(They actually live around the corner : )

Aunt Pam & John

my cousin, Monica and her family

my cousin Jimmy and his girls

my cousin, Kay and her family

me and Monica

Me and my mommy

Me and Aunt Pam

cousins : )

Grandma's grand-children

Grandma's great - grandchildren

Mom, Aunt Charley and I stayed w/Aunt Pam the first night. And then the second night - I stayed with Monica and her family. I went w/Monica to go help her and her daughter, Brittany, paint her senior parking space for school. It was really cool! I had a lot of fun! It was neat to hang out w/my couisn, Monica (who is my age) and her family.

Monica and I painting Brittany's spot. We got a stencil from Hobby Lobby and had planned to put this zebra pattern over the whole spot. It didn't work out that way. It took alittle too much time : )

Brittany posing for me :)

Brittany and Monica posing w/the finished parking spot.

Hers was definitely the cutest : )

I was sad to leave Amarillo b/c I will miss the grandmother that I am named after and I will miss my family! I hope to visit more often with David and my boys. RIP Grandma Hays! I love you!