Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the eagle and angler fish! Once again Omie went all out and bought the kids whichever costumes they wanted. They looked amazing and had so much fun trick-or-treating with the neighbors. We will certainly miss these sweet friends when we move next year. We have had so many fun Halloween nights.

Lego Fest

Lego Fest came to Houston, so we headed in to NRG to see it. There were a ton of huge Lego statues, and the kids were able to build in a pile of millions of Legos. Allison also participated in a bridge building contest.

Bridge Building

Pile of Legos

Pumpkin Patch and Trunk or Treat

This year's pumpkin patch was back outside thanks to beautiful weather! I feel so blessed to be able to share these moments with the kids. Love them to pieces!

Aidan chose a medium sized pumpkin, and Allison went for a cute little one.

Trunk or Treat was also fun tonight! Aidan went to an all night taekwondo event, so it was just Allison and us. She won best costume with her amazing eagle wings!

Allison and Mrs. Mayhan

Mrs. DuBose's Van

Aidan and Romit ready for the all-nighter at TKD

Aidan's special Captain America and Hulk patches from the all-nighter.

Halloween Cheer

This card from my mother, Omie, cracked me up. It had to be photographed.

Cubmobile Races

Today Aidan and many of our other Wolf cubs participated in the cubmobile races with their Troop for Boy Scouts. One boy steered while two pushed. It was so fun to watch and pretty funny also!

Crazy Boys!

Tim, Aidan, Ryder, Landon, Ryan, Joe, and Jack

Aidan and Ryan ready to push Ryder around the track

The Sister Cheering Section - Meredith and Allison

Leadership Council Induction

Allison and some of her friends were inducted into the Leadership Council this morning at chapel. They will raise and lower the flag, work the car pool, and serve as recess coaches to the younger students.

A recess coach plays games with the kids and helps any child that is being left out or playing alone to find some friends if they would like.

Today was "Dig Pink" for breast cancer awareness, so you will see quite a bit of pink in these pictures. Allison is so excited about serving on Leadership Council, and I am very proud of her desire to serve well!

Front to Back. Left to Right.

Sutton, Allison, Luke

Jack, Anna

Esa, Meredith, Justin, Hunter

Learning how to raise and lower the flag. Omie said they were all intently listening.

 

Allison's Entourage 

(Daddy is in NC with Papa Jerry golfing.)

Orange Belt Ceremony

Aidan is back in Taekwondo, and this time he is at a school with his friends. Master Rick is pretty great. He is kind with structure, knows the kids well, and is truly talented at being an instructor.

Today was Aidan's orange belt ceremony. Daddy and I were in Austin for two days, which was scheduled months before, so Omie took him. His friends Ryan and Romit were there to cheer him on, and he did great!

Ryan and Aidan before the ceremony

Getting Started

Receiving his Medal

Master Rick and Aidan

The New Orange Belts

Aidan and Romit

Allison and Ameeka (Bible Buddies)

Ameeka was so glad to have Allison there cheering her on for her orange belt also!

Thank you Omie for taking him to his ceremony and capturing so many pictures. We are very proud of this guy and his achievement. Aidan continues to wow us with his discipline and effort in all he does.

Allison is Eleven!

Allison has turned 11, and she did it with a bang. More about that in a minute.

Some things about Allison at 11:

- She loves Musically. It is an app where she can make videos to music or recordings. She uses her phone to record in slow motion, and then the app speeds it up to the speed of the music.

- She is a loyal friend. Somehow Allison has managed to find this special place in the hearts of all the girls at school. This school year she decided to "switch groups" and start hanging with the girls that are a little more comfortable just being themselves. They laugh, act silly, and have so much fun together. They are kids being kids. Even after making this decision, all the girls from the other group are still inviting her to birthday parties and being kind at school. It's a rare girl that can find that balance and be friends with everyone, and I could not be more proud of her.

- She is still crazy about gymnastics and is now going Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 pm. She is part of the Trampoline and Tumbling team. This has been a real test for her. She has to work harder and take it more seriously. So far Allison is rising to the occasion. The first meet is in November.

- She is still doing well in school even though the work load has increased. Allison is a good student and gives it her all. Her academic achievement is important to her, and she will still come home on a Friday and go through each graded paper. She wants to know about any mistakes and tries to figure out how she could have gotten it correct. This is on her own without us even asking. Pretty remarkable!

- She lets me hug and kiss her in public! This is huge. So many kids her age are beginning to feel embarrassed by their parents. Allison will see me in the hall and run for the hug. She lets me hug and kiss her forehead each morning before walking to class. It is just another sign of what a good head she has on her shoulders, and I love her to pieces for it.

Favorite Color - Italian sky blue
Favorite Food - either Mexican or Italian
Favorite Thing to Do - visit friends and hang out
Favorite Subject in School - art
Favorite Animal - dog
Place Allison Would Most Like to Visit - Paris

Ok...on to the par-tay!

This girl knew exactly what she wanted for her birthday celebration this year. A slumber party with her closest friends and then a party at the Hidden Lake with the masses. It was one fun-filled weekend!

The Slumber Party Crew

The Hidden Lake

Allison and Esa running to the lake

There they go!

Aidan jumping in

Allison and Meredith

The girls and Aidan enjoying nuggets. 

Allison planned the food. She wanted Chick-fil-A nuggets, grapes, and mandarins. She also wanted candy on the tables, so we had lollipops and rock candy. She even picked out the colors of light aqua and grey for the plates, napkins, and decorations.

The Birthday Girl

Carter Jumping

Christian Jumping and Dabbing

Elizabeth Dabbing

Allison's Toe Touch

Aidan's Jump

Time for Cake

Allison designed the cake as well!

Just look at those smiles! Warms my heart.

So cute! 

Christian, Carter, London, Aidan, Esa, Allison, Elizabeth, and Lydia

Aidan, London, Thomas and Zachary

They really had to work to get everyone on this thing. It was impressive!

The current trend - flipping water bottles. It has swept throughout Grace School. The entire middle school is doing it as well. Can you make it land standing up?

Sushi Dinner

On her actual birthday we went to Sushi Hana for dinner. Daddy and Aidan of course came also, but somehow we didn't get them in a picture. Oops!

Octopus teeth

Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are a gift to all of us, and you make each day precious. Keep being yourself because you are amazing!