Tuesday, August 23, 2011

School days



School is off and running for the boys and I. Our first day back was last Monday. Bryce is in 2nd grade and Lane is in 3rd! I am teaching 5th grade English Language Arts this year and so far it has been a nice change from 2nd grade. I didn't request a change, but it was what I needed to do to keep a job at the school. I can move back to 2nd grade next year if I wish or stay in 5th. For now I am enjoying the student's independence and ability to have an educated conversation! Don't get me wrong I LOVED teaching 2nd grade!! This is a new adventure!














Monday, August 22, 2011

Happy 9th Birthday Lane!

This handsome ladd was a babe in arms nine years ago tonight! Our first born and perfect in everyway...the poster baby for Gerber! He has changed and grown up, but he is still my first born and special in everyway! Nine more years will mean college and reality....I hope these next nine don't go by so quickly! I feel so blessed and honored to be the mother to two young boys, they are precious gifts!




Happy Birthday Lane!

We love you!




Photo courtesy of Kristen S. Photography
Summer 2011
Just one of the many gorgeous pictures captured by My dear friend!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

New car smell

We have been looking for quite some time now for a bigger SUV, but not the super-sized kind. No offense I just don't need the big I have been driving a cross-over SUV for 5 year now, but just wanted a little more space to separate the boys and haul things as well. This is what fit us best! I am very happy!


Acadia Denali


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Out of the mouth of Bryce.....

If you have followed our blog for anytime you know that Bryce has a quirky twisted way of thinking about just about everything! Recently he has been on a roll! Here are just a few we can remember...I try to write them down in his baby book, but I have had to add a page to keep up!

......On our trip to San Antonio we saw vultures on the side of the rode near some roadkill. I told him they were scavengers or decomposers, they eat dead or dying things. He responded with "They are like the vacuum cleaners of the world, cleaning things up!" Yes, son so true!

......He came running up to me at the pool last week limping, I asked him what was wrong. He said "I have one of those horses in my feet, you know what I am talking about?" I did, a Charlie Horse I said! YES! That one he said!

.......He asked Jay to make gumbo this week, he loves his daddy's gumbo. As we sat at the table and he proceeded to devour his bowl of gumbo he remarked with these words " This stuff is so good I am going to marry it!" That must be some awesome stuff! It is delicious.

Love this boy's creative thinking! He would sure make a good writer or comedian, either way he makes our world interesting and comical!

Friday, August 5, 2011

San Antonio: Alamo and Riverwalk

The boys were very intrigued by the story of the Alamo and enjoyed looking at the different artifacts and displays there. Then we walk the Riverwalk area and enjoy some good ole' Mexican food and even got serenaded by a small Mexican mariachi band! The boys requested the Chicken Dance!




Texas x 2! Two Texas flags in the picture!



Looking in the well on the grounds of the Alamo.




The eyes of Texas are upon you!




Old Glory waving high atop the building!





This picture captures the magic of the Riverwalk.





the typical sound of San Antonio










The River Center





We ate for the very first time at the Rainforest Cafe. What a fun experience!

San Antonio: Natural Bridges Caverns

Our 3rd day we toured the caves....a wee bit cooler, but oh so humid! We took 2 tours and all together we climbed an estimated 30 story building all the way up and all the way down. We got our exercise and it was breathtaking to boot!



The Natural Bridge




an element of nature.....eeww



Our first tour in the first cavern called Bear Pit.





Cave draperies...yes that is their name.









These were called soda straws....the longest one in this cavern is 14 ft.





Diamond river....it just sparkled!




Pin cushion...very rare formation.



Cave bacon......




and an egg to go with it! (called a fried egg)

San Antonio: Sea World

One of our favorite places.........





2 lobsters fighting




UP close and personal....look at those teeth! Eek!




Feeding the dolphins.....I'd love to swim with them..such awesome creatures.




Momma and her new pup.




seal pups




The BIGGEST walrus I have ever seen!



And of course you can't go to Sea World without seeing Shamu!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Dog Days of Summer

You know it is hot when even the dog lays submerged in his pool! The mercury reads 107 degrees today.......maybe this is where they get that saying "Dog days of summer"??? I want to move to Alaska right now!