Happy Birthday to You!!!!!

A Visit to the Texas State Fair 2011!

Some of our highlights from this year's fair!

The famous pig races (yes, I'm being facetious!)

One of the many floats from the nightly parade

George enjoying a spicy jalapeno and cheese corny dog

This year's butter sculpture

Walls and walls of photographs

Cases of this year's canning contest

Entering the Midway!

Dad, George and Katie waiting for the ride to begin


Very happy at the end of the ride


Calvin, Mom and Katie standing beside a ginormous tractor

George and Katie in another pose

We had a fun time!  It was a school night and we decided to head over with Dad after work for a couple hours.  It was a short visit, but absolutely worth the trip.  We were glad Dad could come with us.
The kids and I also visited the fair two weeks previously with Aunt Tiffiny and her new baby Sophie, visiting from California.  We also had a great time then.  Unfortunately, we lost all the photos to prove it. 

Happy Birthday Jared!!!!

Halloween 2011

Calvin (wouldn't put on a costume, just the glow stick), Samuel as Dracula, Emmett as the Incredible Hulk, Reuben the Ninja, George as Darth Vader and Katie (who really just wanted a reason to put on makeup) dressed as a Princess.

The pumpkin line up

George's scary creation.

Katie's spooky Jack.

My "little mother"

This is going to be one of my all-time favorite memories. As I walked past our back door this summer, I came upon this adorable scene. Katie and Calvin were cold from playing with the back hose and Katie, seeing that Calvin didn't have a towel, wrapped him up with her. I absolutely adore how much Katie loves and cares for her little brother. And I love how Calvin looks up to her, and even turns to her for a hug when he needs one. It makes me happy.

George Turns 9!!!!

George decided on a Star Wars themed party this year. All his friends came dressed as Star Wars characters. They had a huge backyard battle before sitting down to pizza, bread sticks, cheesecake and light saber cupcakes and pretzels. The kids had a great time!

George and Katie Play Fall Baseball

Jared and Calvin playing as they watch the game.

This year with the Dallas Little League, George was old enough to play on a kid-pitch team. He has always wanted to stand on the mound and pitch the balls, so this is pretty exciting for him.

George at bat.

Katie was on her own team for kids her age. Here she is running home, and below, giving the coach a high five. By the way, she's the only one in a skirt. :) She's funny. I can rarely get this girl to wear pants.

Tiffiny, and her new baby Sophia, came for a visit from California. Here's Katie with little Sophia.

Calvin taking his usual position on the ground, rolling his cars and trucks around.

Katie giving a smile from the dugout.

Preschool Outing to the Zoo

Calvin had his first preschool outing while George and Katie were in school. We went with his little buddy, Sawyer, and two other friends, Cienna and Coen. I love the new addition at the Dallas Zoo! It's so incredible how close you can get to the animals!

And of course, a picture of Calvin with his two favorite things: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in one hand and a car in the other.

The First Day of School!

It's the first day of school! Katie started kindergarten and George is in 3rd grade. So hard to believe!