Neighborhood End of Summer Party

Dinner w/the girls!

Jessica, Shauna, and Nancy

RWL Meet & Greet

Mom got keys to her apt!

Claudia & Ray over

put pictures of growing creatures

Congrats to Joel & Amanda Hering

Joel & Amanda got married July 17 in Wisconsin. Since some of those who love them weren't able to make it to WI, they had a wedding shower here. I was honored to go and to celebrate with them. I love the Hering's so much.

Joel, me & Amanda

(Boy am I short)

Joel, Me & Amanda

Jamie, Me & Justin

(I think they are next, but hopefully not for a few years).

 Jamie, Me & Justin

Me & Jamie!

 Joel, Amanda, Me, Jamie, Justin, Jake & Lauren

Congrats Amanda & Joel! I love you guys!

And I love the HERINGS!!!

Mom's New Apt & New Furniture

Mom's new apartment is finally ready.  She's been on the waiting list for 10 long months. Since all of her furniture is old stuff that I got off of Craigslist, I decided to take her shopping for new furniture. We went to Nebraska Furniture Mart and bought her a bistro table set, a couch & recliner. It's beautiful! I can't wait to see it in her new apartment. 

She was very excited to pick out what she wanted. It was fun to watch her!

Andy's sunflower

On the last day of school, Andy's 1st grade teacher gave the kids each a plant. Andy got a sunflower plant. He replanted it in a bigger pot and has taken very good care of it this summer. He's so proud of himself.

Will's Birthday Party

Will couldn't decide what he wanted to do for his birthday, and then, at the last minute, decided he wanted a party. He invited 8 friends to come swim and celebrate with him. He invited Scott, Tristan, Robert, Jayden, Jackson, Nathan and Jace (Jace couldn't make it). Will & his friends had a great time!

First time I haven't gotten a cake from Terri. I got a cake from Tom Thumb, since it was so last minute. I made turkey roll-ups, which everyone loved. Then grapes & lemonade. 

Robert, Jackson, Scott, Nathan, Will, Tristan, Jayden & Andy

Lining up to jump off the hot tub.

Andy was the last one standing! And apparently he was pleased with himself! 

Obligatory group pose on the tanning ledge.

Jumping on the trampoline.

 Jayden & Andy put all the noodles together to make a snake. Jackson joined in also.

Will and his cake!

We were out of candles, so Will blew out the lighter 11 times. Haha! 

Jayden, Andy, Will & Jackson

 Robert & Will

 Andy, Robert & Will

Nathan & Will

 Will & Scott

 Tristan & Will

I asked Will to sit in front of his birthday sign and he wasn't into it.

Finally got a half smile out of him.

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy! We love you!

Happy Birthday WILLIAM!

Time is moving too fast for me. I can't even believe that you are already 11. I love you more today than I ever have. You bring me joy & unconditional love that I am so thankful for.

• You focus on something & obsess on it until you master it. As you did the recorder in 4th grade. You will be learning Violin in 5th grade. But this summer, Daddy gave you his old trumpet (from when he was in 6th grade) and you have started practicing.
• You love fancy clothes.
• You love to play outside w/friends. 
• You love video games (xbox, computer, phone, iPad)
• You are compassionate towards other people.
• You love to go, go, go (you get that from me).
• You love with your whole heart.
• 
  

It was 8:30pm, I was already in bed & you decided that you wanted to go to dinner for your birthday. You are fortunate that your daddy said yes, b/c I was super tired. But ..... you were persistent, and so the whole family went to dinner at Chili's for your birthday. They sang Happy Birthday to you, which you talked about the entire way there - but then got extremely shy when it was time. Then you ate your free birthday dessert.

Happy Birthday to you, William! I hope you feel loved on your birthday, b/c you are! Your family is very thankful for you and we love you more than you know.

Myrtle Boys over

Andy birthday party (Owen)

Kratz's & Guidry's over

Minions with Slagle's

Neighborhood Bike Parade

Andy's Belated Birthday Dinner

Andy wanted to go to Ihop for his birthday, b/c he loves pancakes. I mean, LOVES pancakes. Unfortunately, we never got around to it. So - the evening that Will & I went to see Annie, David took Ben & Andy to Ihop.

Two Baby Shower's in one day

Celeste

Kari Ward

Annie on Broadway with Will

Will loves the movie, Annie. So when I saw it was coming to Dallas on Broadway, I knew I had to get tickets for us. I made it a surprise and he loved it. We had a great time. It was the first of many Broadway plays that we will see together, I know.

80's Themed Bunco

This months Bunco was 80's Themed at at Jamie's house. Some of the girls dressed up. I did not! I actually only stayed for social hour. I had a bit of a headache, so left after Social Hour and before Bunco. But it was nice to catch up with the ladies!

Andrea Visit

They visited June 21-22.

Neighborhood Luau Spring Party

Our Spring Party was supposed to be in May, but got canceled due to all the rain. So - it ended up being at the end of June. It was a ton of fun, with tons of food, and great company. It was awesome catching up with the neighbors. Love, love my neighborhood! I am fortunate that I have made so many wonderful friends, so quickly! So thankful!

I didn't take any pictures, which is unusal. But luckily - there were a few pictures taken at the end of the night. 

Ben is 13!

I am really having a tough time with this day. I know that all of my children must grow up, but turning 13, means that they are closer to going to college, becoming adults. I know that exciting things await, but I am just not ready for any of my kids to leave.

Ben, you are a super kid. We have had some struggles a long the way, but I have never been more proud of you than I am now. You are taking on all of the characteristics of the young, respectful man that I know your father was as a boy. Your body is changing, your thinking is changing, you are changing. 

Let's see ...

• You are 5'6".
• You wear a size 10 shoe.
• You are going into 8th grade at WMS.
• Your voice has officially deepened. You have all the aspects of a young boy in puberty.
• You play on your computer everyday. A computer that you picked out parts for and built yourself.
• You aren't real affectionate. I have to bribe and beg for hugs :(
• Your brothers look up to you, but you haven't quite figured out how awesome you are and how important your influence is to them. I hope that comes soon.
• You have decided in the last year, that you don't mind friends over for a short time, but you aren't interested in having friends sleep-over or going to friends houses to sleep-over. 
• You are VERY much like your daddy. Not social. Not materialistic. You are satisfied with very little. Easy to get along with.
• You are an excellent cook, and cook lots of things from scratch. You enjoy it. That's from your daddy too.

 

Happy 13th Birthday, my dear sweet boy! I love you & I am so very proud of you!

Ben Birthday Party

Schlitterbahn

June 8-11

Mommy & Me Photo Session

Le Freak Concert with Dena

Will Awards at School

Andy awards at school

Meeting new/old friends

Met LaVeta & Misty

Hays Field Day

Ben Awards at School

Happy Birthday to our, Opa!

Pitch Perfect 2

Went with Shauna

Mother's Day

Neighbors Craw Fish Boil

Chrystal HERE!

Will Choir Field Trip

Pool BEGINS!

Pool Digging begins

Will Field Trip

Deverson Spring Block Party

Congrats JAMIE!