Happy Halloween 2008!!

Well I hope everyone is enjoying a Happy Halloween!! Here are my two girls this year in their costumes before Trunk or Treat last night at our church. We have one Gabriella from High School Musical 1-3 fame and one Butterfly Fairy. They were both very excited about the holiday and a little shy too when it came to saying Trick or Treat but by the second row of cars I think they had overcome it. The candy helps a lot of course:-)















Kaylee's favorite part of her costume was the "T" necklace which of course stands for Troy Bolton.











Campbell was most excited about her wings. That was her only request this year is that she had wings.











Here is most of the crew from the Halloween Part we went to at the Robinsons' Home.











How would you like to have this crew show up at your door?











Campbell in action Halloween Night.











Kaylee after getting some candy...ready to move on to the next house.


I hope all of my blogging friends have a wonderful and safe Halloween. I look forward to the pictures of all of your children dressed up:-)

ACU Homecoming 2008

Well I am just now recovered enough to blog about the weekend which was a lot of fun but left us all very tired.

This year was not only the typical ACU Homecoming activities we usually do but we also had some 10 year Reunion festivities to add to the fun with Cary's class. There was an Elvis theme this year hence the man dressed as Elvis. We kicked things off by attending the Carnival which our girls look forward to each year. Kaylee stayed near all the games where you could get prizes most of the time while Campbell wanted to do all of the activities. It was great to see all of our friends who had some to town for the reunion. I even got to reconnect with my precious friend Reagan who I had not seen in about 10 years. It was so good to be able to see everyone in person and actually have a conversation while chasing our children of course. It seemed like no mater where we ended up all evening there was someone there that we knew. So wonderful! Here are a few pictures of the Friday night fun!




Campbell in the bounce house that looked like a firetruck which she referred to as "the train".














Kaylee suited up for laser tag the one time we lured her away from the games.

















Campbell with a baby duck from the petting zoo.










After all the fun activities the girls were worn out and ready for bed so they could get up early on Saturday for the big parade.




The theme of Homecoming this year had to do with Elvis hence the man dressed as Elvis in the parade.










Here are our girls in their cheerleader outfits ready to yell about their ACU pride!















Kaylee & Mom
















Campbell & Daddy













Saturday night we went to Cary's reunion dinner and enjoyed catching up with a lot of friends we had not seen in a long time. It is always so good to be able to relive fond memories of our ACU days together. We even went out with a group of about 30 friends afterwards to continue the fun and laughter. (Lucky for us the girls were home with a great babysitter who had them in bed asleep before we got home. ) I think the next morning my side still hurt from all the laughter the night before. There is nothing better than making memories with friends and reconnecting with those you have not seen in a while. Thanks ACU for giving us all a reason to come back!!

Tagged by Meredith...

I was tagged by Meredith to post the sixth picture from the sixth folder on my computer so this is it.

Kaylee was about 18 months old and we were enjoying a spring trip to the Dallas Arboretum with some friends from our class at church. We were hoping to all get some great pictures of our firstborn children but I think we ended up doing more chasing than picture taking. I remember packing everything and the kitchen sink for the day. I cannot believe that was so long ago now. Great memories that make me smile.

I am going to tag Kristen, Nicole, Traci, Courtney, Shelley, and anyone else who reads my blog and wants to play along:-) Two posts in one day...watch out world!

Me, crafty?

We have had a busy week and it is not over yet. We have definitely not had time to be bored which is a good thing but I have also not had time to do laundry which is not so good.

Thanks to my sweet friend Meredith it has been a productive week too. She was gracious enough to invite some of us who went to Canton over for our first ever "Craft Day" where we made the most adorable tutus. We had seen them in Canton and Meredith being the crafty friend that she is said we could make them so we did! I feel like I have just become friends with the young version of Paula Dean and Martha Stewart all in one package. There is nothing Meredith cannot do, maybe some of her talent will rub off on me:-) She even had two crafts laid out for the children as well as a very delicious brunch prepared. It was so much fun to feel crafty and get to have some great time talking with friends.




This picture is our finished product. Don't we have the cutest models ever!







We have also attended "Open House" at Kaylee"s school as well as Campbell's school this week. It was fun to get to see some of there school work and visit with their teachers a little. We even got to do a fun family craft together at one of the schools. I love seeing them interact with their friends and the way that they both enjoy being where they are during the day.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend with your families!

Time Goes By...

I want to start by saying to all of you who have inquired we are still very much alive around here just extremely busy. We have been attending Birthday parties, Balloon Festivals, and other activities that seem to fill up our weeks, however I have not taken many pictures thus the lack of blogging.

The school year is off to a bang around our house. Here comes some proud parent bragging:-) For the second year in a row Kaylee got "Good Citizen" for the first six weeks. I cannot believe that it has already been six weeks of school! Where has the time gone? She also brought home her first real report card with grades in it. Since there had always been an "E or S" before she was a little unsure of anything less than a "100" being a good grade. When we sat down to look at her report card together and I told her she got two "99's" and three "100's" she started getting teary because she thought the "99's" were bad grades. We have since had a very long talk about the different numbers and I assured her as long as she was trying her best that was all we asked. My sweet girl:-)
Kaylee continues to love playing chase, soccer, and other active games at recess. Rarely do I hear that she has played with a girl because their games are too boring. Who wants to be the Mom or kid all the time she says when there are Clones Wars to be in? (We have never seen the movie or read the book but I suppose the boys have filled her in.) I love that she is her own person and does what she wants. She still adores school and cannot wait to go each day. We are so proud of her and her precious heart for the Lord. We feel so blessed daily to be her parents.

Campbell is also off to a great year. I think she keeps her teachers laughing most days with her funny words. I do not know where her thoughts come from sometimes but they usually have to do with me. A few weeks ago she randomly told her teachers I walk around n*k*d all the time. When we got to the car I asked her why she told them that because I can assure you I do not. (Maybe if I had the body of Brittney or Jessica, sadly that is not the case though.) She replied in her sweetest voice, "Well you do when you are getting in the shower." Of course she did not tell her teachers that. Thanks goodness they are some of my precious friends or I would have been even more embarrassed. Supposedly I was in a lot of trouble according to her the other day too but she never told the teachers why...I am sure it would have been another good story. That girl is a mess and constantly has us in stitches.
She is really into the fact that she is getting bigger each day. She relates most things to the size of people. I told her she could drive me to church this morning and she said, "I am just the little girl...you are the big Mom so you have to drive the Tahoe". I also told her she could cook dinner the other night to which she responded, "You are the taller one so you have to cook." You've got me there. She is also constantly loving on her babies and reading them stories from the Bible. It is so cute! When she is not doing that she is dressing up in her best princess attire with her tippy tap shoes and dancing around the house. Our days are very action packed around here and never dull. She is another blessing from the Lord in our lives.

Most Friday nights you will find the girls like this and us supporting our favorite High School football team. It really is fun to join in the excitement of a West Texas tradition. There is nothing like watching the love for the game come out in these young men when the ball snaps. The girls get into the band and cheering too. They are so fun to watch. I am looking forward to the cooler weather while being in the stadium though.

Then on Saturdays we usually try to support ACU by taking in a football game at Shotwell. The girls both have good friends whose Dads are coaches for ACU so they play in the stands while we take in the game. It is a win-win situation for all of us.
You can see pictures of Campbell at the game last night on my friend Whitney's blog of Campbell playing with her daughter, Morgan. (Unfortunately Kaylee and I were home because she had a fever.)

So if you do not hear from us for a while you can guess where we are...I will try to blog more often in the future. Thanks for sticking with me the few of you who still read about us.

Blessings to you all in the coming week!!

Campbell's First Day in the Threes!

Today was a big day for Campbell! She got to go to school, just like Kaylee she has said over and over. Well not exactly like Kaylee, but we will let her think what she wants for now:-) Since going to meet the teacher last week she has been so excited for Tuesday to get here. Part of it has to do with seeing all of her friends and the other big deal to her is that Mrs. Julie is her teacher. Julie is a dear friend of mine who has three precious girls of her own so she should be well prepared for Campbell.

Campbell was all business once she woke up this morning. First she ate breakfast very quickly, then she got dressed pretty much all by herself, and made sure her backpack was ready. After getting dressed she told me she was ready to go. I was able to get a picture outside before we left. We managed to leave the house with everything; nap mat-check, backpack-check, lunch-check, camera-check, and homemade candy for her teachers-check. On the way to school we talked about who would be in her class, what she would get to do at school, and how excited she was to be going to school like Kaylee. I did ask her at one point this morning if I could come pick her up at the end of the day to which she replied, "Maybe". At that point I knew she was going to be just fine. I do not think I had put the car in park before she was unbuckled and ready to hop out. She put her backpack on and walked right in the door like she owned the place. We were greeted by a few of her friends crying but there were no tears from my girl. Once her backpack and lunch were in place and we got a quick picture with her teachers she said, "I need to give you a hug and kiss." After that she was off playing with her friends. I love that she enjoys school so much. It does make me a little sad to see how quickly she is growing up though. However, only for a moment because I was off to enjoy a wonderful breakfast filled with good friends and fun times. I love my time with friends as much or more than Campbell enjoys school so it is a win-win situation:-)

When I returned to pick her up at the end of the day she came running to me with her shoes and socks saying she was ready to go get Kaylee. I love that she loves her sister so much. When I asked if she took a nap one of her teachers said no but that she tried really hard. Once we got in the car I asked her about her day and these were her responses:

"Mallory threw up on the playground when we were lining up. She cried. I was sad for her."

"I ate most of my lunch but I want to eat the rest when I get home."

"I got to see all the Jacksons (there are four variations in her class), Mallory, Morgan, Kase, and Jared. We got to play a lot."

"Mrs. Julie is my teacher, she is my friend. I love Mrs. Julie."

" I am ready to go back tomorrow." (too bad she has to wait until Thursday)

I started talking to her about resting at nap time and not getting in trouble. I looked in the backseat and saw a grin form on her face then came a soft voice that said, "I think I already did." I asked why she got in trouble and she said, "Well Julie moved my nap mat over by the table." I later talked to Julie to see if she survived the day and she said Campbell was not in trouble that she was really trying to sleep but a little boy kept talking to her. She thought if she separated them then Campbell would sleep. Maybe next time:-)

I am so thankful that Campbell had a great day at school. I know she will have a wonderful year because we have been blessed with amazing teachers again this year. They are all so patient, loving, and Godly women. I pray that Campbell shows her sweet heart and manners most of the time and is kind to all her friends. We love our baby girl and look forward to watching her grow over the next year.

(Campbell with Mrs. Autumn, her friend Aiden, and Mrs. Julie)

Kaylee's 1st Grade Favorites

Well the first week of 1st Grade is over and we all managed to survive. The car pick-up lane is still going to be the longest part of our day but seeing Kaylee's face when we finally pull up makes it all worth it. I know that there will be a time when she does not want me to wave and smile in her general direction when picking her up so until them I am going to savor all the memories I can of her wanting all her friends to know I am her Mom and that she is happy to see me. I just love the moment when she sees that her Mom is there to get her because her eyes light up and a huge smile forms across her face. The minute Kaylee steps into the car Campbell says, "I missed you Kaylee". So sweet.

I had to post this picture with one of the things Kaylee is most excited about adding to her wardrobe for the year...her Sketchers, thanks Nana, who knew they were so popular?

I have asked Kaylee about her week and she has not had as long a list as last year so I decided to ask her a few questions...

1. What was your favorite part of the day? "sitting at my desk"

2. What do you like about your teacher so far? "that she is nice and laughs a lot"

3. What new friend did you meet? "Madison"

4. Who were you most excited to see? "Mrs. O (kindergarten teacher from last year), she gave me a hug and told me I looked cute as usual."

5. What were your top 5 favorite things about 1st grade so far?
" I loved my yellow locker in the hallway, my big girl desk (no more tables), the huge gym (I guess they went to the smaller one last year), meeting some new nice friends, and my teacher."

She did tell me later that she was excited that Mrs. T has a treasure box, like Mrs. O did last year, that they get to pick something out of it on Fridays as long as they have not pulled their slip all week. I asked how you keep from pulling your slip and she said, "I do not remember everything you just obey your teacher and do whatever she says."

She loves that the first graders get to go in the gym in the mornings before school and talk to their friends, unlike last year when they went to the movie room and were not suppose to talk. She said the only thing you cannot do in the gym is run around like a crazy person:-)

Also When I asked her if she saw any of her friends and how they were she said, "Mom, I don't know because we cannot talk in the halls." That's my girl the rule follower through and through.

I have to brag for just a moment...on the third day of school her teacher brought her to the car and told me what a joy Kaylee is to have in class. I said "Thank you". Then she proceeded to tell me that Kaylee had gotten a special treat for being the only student quietly waiting for her instruction while the others were not listening at all. Mrs. T also said that Kaylee is very helpful and polite to others. That makes a Mom proud.

As an added bonus I found out on Wednesday thanks to my friend Leslie that Kaylee was on the front page of the newspaper...she was in the background, but hey we made the news:-)

First Grade here we come!

Well we are back on schedule around our house. It is amazing what a difference school makes. This morning Cary went into Kaylee's room to wake her up which normally takes a few minutes but not today. She had hopped out of bed and was dressed before we turned around good with a big smile on her face. This is what a First Grader looks like:) I still cannot believe last year is gone and she is in 1st grade. I know I will too soon look back on this year and it will be a distant memory. First grade is already very different because we already have a homework assignment that we got at Meet the Teacher last Thursday. Nothing major but still homework before the first day of school. The biggest deal to Kaylee is that she has a locker in the hallway instead of in the classroom like last year. I am always amused at the things she gets excited about.







After getting dressed we were all off to McDonald's which was Kaylee's choosing for a good first day of school breakfast. All the employees made a big deal about it being her first day of school which made her giggle. Both girls chose the nutritious pancakes and sausage kids meal with milk. Neither one ate like they normally do. I think Kaylee was nervous about school and Campbell was still trying to wake up.








She did wake up enough to give this face before we left. I though the people beside us were going to hurt themselves laughing. (Our little comedian)








We arrived at school in time to take a few pictures before the school day started. This picture is of Kaylee and her sweet teacher "Mrs. T". I think Kaylee's teacher will be a perfect fit for her because she always seems to be smiling, is very up beat, and nurturing. She has a daughter Kaylee's age so she will understand all the crazy stuff they do and say too:) I have prayed for the past year to place her in the right teacher's class so I know that God is taking care of her.










Once Cary helped her get her backpack in her locker we took a few more pictures and left her in her classroom to start her day. She was grinning from ear to ear!

You will notice that Campbell had to take her backpack in the school too just like Kaylee. She looked so cute being such a little girl among all these big kids with backpacks. I think I did a better job preparing Campbell for Kaylee being left behind this year and she knows what to expect from last year. At least she did not scream for her and cry out the whole way out of the building which is definite progress. Once we got in the car and were all buckled we did hear a little voice from the backseat quietly say, "I miss Kaylee". Of course we had not even made it out of the parking lot yet:)










SWEET SISTERS!








Kaylee,

Dad and I pray that you have the best year ever and you excel at whatever you try. We want you to know that even when we are not there with you God is and He will watch over you. May you meet many more new friends and be kind to all as you always are with your tender heart. Most of all may God guard your heart against words and actions that can sometimes be cruel when we are not there to protect you. We want you to grow in knowledge and in character throughout the year. May you be a blessing to all who meet you. You are our princess and we love you so much!

Love,
Dad & Mom

Mini-Vacation Day 1

Well we just got back from our Mini-vacation before school starts for both of the girls and things get a little crazy around here. We left on Wednesday morning and drove to Fossil Rim Wildlife Park which was only about a little over two hour trip. The girls were so excited to be going on an adventure.

It was so much fun to drive through the park and look at the girls' faces as each animal came up to the car begging for food. There were so many beautiful animals to see. Kaylee enjoyed reading the names and description on each animal from the brochure as we came upon them. This turned out to be a fun game for us all to play. It is breathtaking to see so many things God created in this setting. From each animal to the views, it is all a true treat for the eyes.












I think this ostrich wanted to stick its neck in the car and take a ride with us.









There were a lot of different breeds of deer a long the path. Some were even tame enough to let you touch them.























We thought this picture was too funny. The car had their sunroof open and the giraffe was just making itself at home to get some food.









After about 1 1/2 hours of driving we got to the midway point and ate at the restaurant called The Lookout. I am sure you can see why from the picture. The view is so pretty!


Next we decided to go check out the Petting Zoo. There were turtles, goats, birds, and sheep. Both girls enjoyed brushing the hair on the goats and petting them a lot. In this same area there is also a Gift Shop which had very reasonably priced souvenirs. Kaylee got binoculars and a stuffed cheetah and Campbell got binoculars and a stuffed monkey. (Campbell's favorite movie to watch right now is Monkey Trouble which is an old Disney movie I happened to record off the TV about a month ago, thus the monkey choice.) All that to say we spent less then $20 total in the gift shop Yeah!!


After that brief intermission we were off again to take in the rest of the park. There is an amazing cheetah reserve at the Wildlife Center also. It was so neat to watch them interacting with each other and just roam around.





















The Rhino was our last stop on the tour. We did get to see an ostrich scare off a few deer because she wanted all the leftover food to herself. Who knew an ostrich could make such a scary noise.

We next left the park and headed to Granbury to buy Kaylee a life jacket since I did not realize hers did not fit till the night before and we were planning on going to the river the next day:) On our little drive around town we happened upon one of our favorite restaurants, Babe's, so of course we had to stop and eat dinner there before heading to the Inn to check in for the night.

Today was a wonderful day that I think the four of us will remember for a long time. We could not have asked for better weather in August or better behaved daughters. Thank you Lord for letting us enjoy the wonders of your creation and make wonderful memories together.

Scroll down for Day2...