Texas!

This is a much delayed post about our Texas trip. I restricted myself from blogging until I got around to cooking a meal in our house. Took a week to get back in the swing of things. Sorry, Alex. :)

We always pass the Texas star as we drive in but never remember to stop before we see it. This time we remembered and were able to commemorate our trip to Alex's state of birth!

We made the 10+ hour journey to celebrate our Mimi's 90th birthday! You'd never know it. She beebops around her apartment complex like it's a college dorm, socializing at lunch, and playing bingo, bridge, and anything else she can win at! She was beside herself for us to surprise her at lunch in the cafeteria with the grandkids and ballooons! I was beside myself to join her for a game of bingo! :)
We stayed with Aunt Judi, Uncle Mike, and cousins Austin and Dawson. The kids were thrilled to see a pool...

Didn't take long for them both to enjoy the water!Kirkley has come a long way this year in overcoming her fear of going under. She loved the diving rock!

After a trip to the mall in Houston that has a train, carousel, and playground, Kirkley has already realized at an early age that our local mall is a let down!

All of the grandchildren...We had such a great trip! We'll be doing it again in October and can't wait to see everyone!

Lunchtime Smiles

this little man is all smiles!
please note the little dent in his nose when he's got a big smile working.life is always a joy through his eyes -- even when getting two new teeth!
now he has four:

our lunch hour has been our hardest adjustment with this year's preschool schedule.

today's lunch hour was all in all a success --
thanks to sweet mommy friends who always have great ideas
like grapes in the car on the way home. who knew? thanks, sarah!
i am ever thankful for fellow mommies and their wisdom!

in additional news, check out these swoopy curls:they are coming in MUCH earlier than sister's did.
she had only a hint of a swoop on her first birthday.
his are in full effect.
which must be why everyone everywhere we go says,
"she is so beautiful!"
bless his heart :)

siblings

kirkley and jay are starting to interact more and more!
k thought it was hilarious to get in his crib with him after nap -- he wasn't so sure.
the trap n' play is out as a fixture in our living room now:
i heard them both cackling in the hallway yesterday evening as he "chased" her.
he's still army crawling so there's no catching her yet,
but both are thrilled that games like chase are on the horizon....

We're back!

Major lack in blogging!
We completed our 20+ hrs in
the new {to us} honda version of a swagger wagon
on a trip to the Lone Star State
to celebrate our Mimi's 90th birthday! More pics to come!

Fall Ballet

Fall ballet kicked of a few weeks ago.
So far the favoritie for both Claire and Kirkley has been the "Hokey Pokey."
Kirkley has been thrilled to see Mrs. Cindy and Miss Caroline again!

Remember spring recital last year??There is no room for pride in parenthood...
We're hoping for a more attentive ballet student this go round! :)
Really we're just hoping she continues to enjoy activities that get her moving!!

when you get a minute...

came across this over the weekend and was so affected.
when you have time go here
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/09/one-question-youve-got-to-look-in.html
to read.

Labor Day Weekend

We spent a long labor day weekend at the beach!
We all had a great time -- swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, etc. -- lots of fun in the sun!

Little man made it out on the beach to check things out...

We all enjoyed a little adventure!

Next time we'll bring Jay's life jacket! He missed out on some of the fun but had fun nonetheless! Thanks Boppy, Gigi, Nana, Apple, Whitney, and Seth for a fun fun weekend -- lots of hands helping out with the little ones! Kirkley was devastated to leave -- she realized an hour from home that we were headed home and leaving the beach and cried for the rest of the time!