First Day of School 2015-2016

 Per our annual tradition, we got up the first day of school and headed out to IHOP for breakfast. It cracks me up every year when we take a picture in the dark because we have to leave before the sun comes up. Since Kaylee is on Student Council this year they wore their shirts the first day to be visible to help new students around campus. I love that I have two girls who do not mind the start of school, they actually kinda look forward to it. Well, 8th and 5th grades here we come, ready or not!

 Campbell and I at IHOP

 Cary and Kaylee at IHOP

 Me and my girls

 A quick picture with the sun actually up.

In the car on our way with smiles on our faces.

I had a tear coming home just thinking about this being Kaylee's last year before high school. Ugh! I am going o try very hard to relish every moment this year.

 Second day of school, just so I have documentation of Kaylee in a cuter outfit than a Student Council t-shirt.

Campbell still all smiles going to the second day of school.

Both girls reported having a great first day and loving their teachers. I am so thankful for all the wonderful teachers they have encountered over the years who have helped to mold them. We are truly blessed with a great school district. Praying lots of blessings over these two this year, praying for Kaylee's costochondritis to go away and never return, praying for all the faculty to have a wonderful year, and praying God moves boldly at Wylie ISD.

Getting Ready for a new School Year

Unfortunately, the annual swim party indicates that the time has come for school to start. Where has the summer gone? I am so thankful for this tradition, I still cannot believe that we have been doing this since they were in fifth grade. (I think?)

 Morgan, Anna Claire, Kaylee, Maddie, and Ella Kate

Class of 2020!

 I also took Kaylee to get her make-up professionally done since she is in 8th grade now and slightly interested in the process. Of course, she always says she does not understand the need for make-up because people should be confident in themselves and not need make-up to feel beautiful. I love that I am raising a confident girl!

 There is bad lighting in this picture but you get the idea.

Campbell and SJ matching at church one Sunday, unplanned. Great minds and style from these two!

Campbell at meet the teacher with Ms. Scott

Campbell at meet the teacher with Mrs. Richardson
Well, like it or not school is about to begin so I suppose we are as ready as we will ever be. Bring on the early mornings and busy schedule, I will have my coffee ready so I can keep up.

Lake Fun!

We got to go on a quick weekend trip before the start of school to the lake in Austin with my parents. We had purchased a new to us boat at the beginning of August so it was a perfect time to really try it out. I think you can tell from this picture of Kaylee and Campbell that they are definitely happy about the boat purchase.

Sitting in the marina eating lunch on the boat with the ducks.

Kaylee with Nana and Papa just chillin.

Campbell working on her tan.

Our wonderful Captain

My two fish

Most of each day was either spent riding the tube or trying to ski. Both girls got really close to getting up skiing...maybe next summer.

Here is my proof that Papa and Nana even joined us in the water. Nana even tried to ski. It was so much fun to relax and just have some good family time together.

The location was beautiful but the memories were even better. I am so thankful for times like these when we can all be together with no set schedule. The house we stayed in had a pool so the evenings included swimming, we cooked steaks one night on the outdoor grill, ordered pizza, played some water games in the pool, relaxed, and just took time to stop and enjoy each other. Thank you Lord for weekends like this. Thank you Papa and Nana for the rental and for always loving us so well.

Happy 85th Birthday Grandma/ Great-Grandma!

 On August 8th we made the trek from Abilene to Sunray to surprise a precious lady for her 85th Birthday. 

 It was so much fun to see the look on her face when we were all gathered there for her.

Cary's grandmother raised ten children (two of whom are in heaven with Papa Joe).

It was so sweet to see them all gathered together with almost all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren present.

 Uncle Jack's sweet wife, Pam, made the cake. I am not sure if you can tell from the picture but she included little cakes around one big cake. The smaller cakes were each of the childrens' favorite flavors along with the larger cake being Grandma's favorite.I know that this took a lot of time and was definitely a labor of love. Out of all the cakes I believe there was a flavor to even satisfy the pickiest appetite.

 Here are my precious nieces and nephews along with my daughters.

We decided to take advantage of us all being together and snap a few pictures on Sunday before everyone headed home.

 The Beard siblings

 The outlaws even made it in a picture as well.

I just had to include this picture of Campbell and Londyn.

We had a short but wonderful weekend filled with laughter, good food, lots of visiting, celebrating, and of course church with the family.

Happy 85th Birthday Grandma!