First Week of School

Yesterday Allison began 4th grade, and Aidan began 1st. They both have really sweet teachers. Allison is in Ms. Blausen's class, and Aidan is in Mrs. Raffaele's class. He has worn ninja turtle socks each day in honor of her.

On Tuesday Daddy, Omie, and Papa Fred took Allison and Aidan to Meet the Teacher. I was up in middle school doing 6th grade Meet the Teacher, so I missed out on their fun. They did stop by to say hi in the madness of new 6th graders decorating their lockers.

Mrs. Raffaele and Aidan

Allison at her Desk

Allison and Lauren

Allison and her friends were so busy running around that Daddy couldn't get a picture of her with Mrs. Blausen.

Stephanie and Aidan

Stephanie and Aidan under the balloon arch.

First Day of School!

We also took a 2nd day of school picture in my classroom since our first day pic was when it was still dark out, and we were all pretty tired. See, a littler perkier on Day Two!

I am thrilled to be teaching 6th grade math at Grace now. I am on the same campus as the kids and at an amazing school. I teach four classes of eleven kids each and have two planning periods. Not to mention, the kids are so well behaved and work hard. Who even knew teaching could be so wonderful? Answered prayers with this new school year!

Summer 2015

Here is our summer in a nutshell. We had so much fun going to Concan and North Carolina. The kids went to stay in Wimberley for a few days at the beginning of the summer. Allison went to RRR again, and this time for 10 days. We spent many days at the pool with friends from school, and I prepared to head back to teaching after seven years at home with the kids. My mother and I took our first trip together with just us to Boston. That was such a special little vacation. It was a wonderful summer that seemed to fly by much too quickly.

Wimberley

Early in the summer Allison and Aidan went to Wimberley to stay with Grandma Renee and Papa Denis. They had all three grandkids there, and they had an absolute blast. I think this has to become a tradition.

Fire Station Tour

Horseback Riding

Lunch at Dairy Queen

Watching the helicopter take off.

Concan

We went to Concan this summer, and due to an abundance of rain we were able to tube the river twice. The kids also went again in August with my parents, and the river was still up.

Being Silly with Croakies

Aidan the Tee Game Whiz

Feeding Deer

Ready to Tube

August Trip to Concan

13 Years!

June 15th was our 13-Year Anniversary, and we celebrated by going to the Astros game as a family. It was perfect! We really do enjoy going to the games.

Rocky River Ranch

This summer Allison went for 10 days to RRR instead of one week. It was over July 4th, so the entire camp went into Wimberley to watch a parade. She once again had a fabulous time and is ready for two weeks next summer.

Ready to Go!

The Wranglers

Synchronized Swimming Class

Bark K Girls

2015 Camp Picture

Archery Class

Cooking Class

The Parade

Playing in the River

Archery Class

Cute Wranglers

Aidan, Grandma Renee, and I before heading over to pick up Allison.

North Carolina

Papa Jerry turned 70 this summer. We went for two weeks to help celebrate. The first week we were in Winston-Salem, and we had a great time playing in the pool, going to the National White Water Center, and playing tennis.

Tennis

Catching Fireflies 

Riley, Corryn, Aidan, Allison, and Jake

National White Water Center

For the second week we all went to Bald Head Island. What an amazing place! There are no cars allowed on the island, only golf carts. It makes for a peaceful environment. We spent most days at the beach, of course. We also toured a light house, some of the group went to see a turtle release, a few played golf, we rode bikes around the island, and had a big birthday night with songs, poems, and videos to honor Papa Jerry.

Granny and Nai Nai

Jake and Aidan

Allison and Corryn

Aidan brought Papa Jerry flip flops just like his.

Riley Reciting a Haiku

Allison made Papa Jerry a tie.

Aidan and Uncle Ross Body Surfing

Daddy and Uncle Ross Surfing

Crabbing

Burials

See You Later!

Playing at the Pool

Lighthouse Tour

Fun with Friends

You could often find us in the pool when we were in town, which wasn't very often. It was nice for the kids to be able to meet their friends up at Westside to swim and play. We also had sleepovers with friends and Makayla.

Aidan and Tim

London and Allison

Allison, Aidan, and Kylie

Allison and Kate

Emily, London, and Allison

Hudson, Tim, and Aidan

These kiddos love their cousin Makayla so much!

Dance Party

More Cousin Fun with Amelia and Logan!

Boston

Mom and I had the best time in Boston towards the end of the summer. We were there for four days, and we saw as much of it as we could. We walked all around the city and truly enjoyed it being just the two of us. This is a trip I will cherish my entire lifetime.

Faneuil Hall

Little Italy

State House

We watched the printing of the Declaration of Independence on the original press, in the original fashion, and with the same paper. We each have a copy!

Boston Harbor Cruise

Boston Common

Swan Boat in Boston Public Garden

George Washington in Boston Public Garden

Cheers!

We saw a Red Sox game at Fenway, and They Won!

USS Constitution - Old Iron Side