Our FAVORITE Great Aunt...and Aunt!!

We got to see our FAVORITE Great Aunt and Aunt the other day at Allie's first birthday. What a surprise! We had so much fun getting to visit with her. Too bad it was so short! We love you Aunt Dawn!

Dance for the girls

Dance class has started back for Ella. Mady Claire has started her first dance class this year. I was able to get both classes on the same night with only a 15 min gap. Praise the Lord! They both seem to love their new dance class. Ella more than Mady Claire. Not sure if Mady will make it to the end since this week Todd and I had to persuade her to go :( Ella on the other hand, was begging to go!

Visit with Grandma & Grandpa

Mady Claire and I visited Grandma and Grandpa our first Friday without the other kids. We had so much fun. Mady is still not too sure about Molly. Look at the picture of Mady with Grandma and Grandpa. Mady is looking at Molly....keeping an eye on her. :)

Ella's dance recital rehearsal

Here is Ella's dance recital rehearsal from May. They didn't allow anyone to video the night of the show. I think Todd is singing in the video too :) Quality isn't the best since it was on Todd's iPhone. Ella is on the back row.

Space & Rocket Center

Beach Trip--July 2011

Here are some long awaited pictures of our summer vacation to Destin, FL. We had loads of fun!

All three kids in school :)

The long anticipated day arrived weeks ago. August 15th and 16th. All three kids went to school. Gates is now in 1st grade, Ella in 4K, and Mady Claire 3K. Gates goes all five days, Ella four days and Mady Claire three days. All three did well going to school.

Gates was such a BIG boy. He went off to his new school not knowing anyone. He was super excited. Todd was able to walk him to the door. Gates trotted off into the big school with no fears. Amazing! Todd teared up watching him walk all by himself to class. :)

Ella was very excited to get back to school. She missed her friends. She is a social butterfly. She walked through the school doors as if she hadn't been away for the summer. She was ready and thrilled to be in her new class.

Mady Claire was not too excited about going to school. Well, she was until the first day came. She did ok for her first time ever in school. She let us drop her off and kiss her goodbye. It's the days since then that she hasn't been excited for Todd to leave her.

As for me, I'm a little saddened that the little ones are growing up. I mean the days and years have flown by. Of course they can't stay young forever. I love having some free time. Working on catching up with everything that has been on hold in my life for years...