Us lately........

1st day of kindergarten.....

She was so excited to come home to home made cinnamon rolls and told me all about her big day. She asked me that night if I could make a special treat the next day too.

1st day of preschool.....I couldn't get him to give me a normal smile. This was as close as I got.

Thomas making his "special" lunch!

After school Thomas made us all some DELICIOUS carrot soup from the scrapes of our REAL dinner! Looks like I have another chef in the house!

It's been a super busy fun week and the kids are LOVING their school programs. They are growing up. Oh and Avery now speaks french. I was laughing when she starting talking in a french accent today and I asked her where she learned it and she said, "I'm just smart Mom." So during dinner she talked to us with her new french accent.

My Brynni may not be in school yet (thank goodness) but she is learning quite a bit herself. She is talking more everyday and has such a contagious personality. She is so adored by her brother and sister. It was so cute when Avery came home from school the other day. Brynnley squealed when she got off the bus and ran to her and gave her a hug. Eric picked Brynnley up and she started whining and wanted to get down. She ran back to Avery and Avery picked her up and Brynnley was ALL smiles and was talking a mile a minute with joy that she had her sister back, It was priceless to watch and a memory of the two of them that is locked in my noggin forever! It's funny because sometimes she'll run to Avery for comfort. She loves her sister!

Life has gotten a little busier but we are having a great time.

The time has come......

My little girl is off to school tomorrow. I am so not ready but she is so excited so that makes me happy. It's like Christmas morning over here. It has been such a fun summer exploring together, playing with friends, staying up late, going out for ice cream etc. Not that we can't do some of those things. Avery has been my side kick for 5 years and I have enjoyed ever second. Rarely does she cause me any grief and she is such a great helper and friend to her siblings. Anyways her teacher seems to be awesome and has a great sense of humor and I feel she already loves the kids from when we met her this week. Avery is going to have a great year, make lot's of new friends, and learn. I am excited for her and the new adventures of growing up.

I told her to pick out what she wanted to wear and came into her room to see her cute little layout of what she was going to wear tomorrow. I love her fake pearls hanging from the hanger and her leggings on the bottom. She is adorable!

We started a couple before school traditions tonight, and tomorrow there are a few more to start up. One of which is to have homemade cinnamon rolls ready on the first day of school when they walk in the door. My mom did that for us and I LOVED coming home having the house smell like cinnamon rolls and my moms open arms for a hug. We'll talk about the day as we chow down on cinnamon rolls. Now I'm excited!!

I love it Mom!!!!!!

I found this skirt online with a tutorial on how to make it. I can hold my own making some things on the sewing machine but I am far from being a pro and this tutorial was a bit out of my comfort zone so my mom came to the rescue and made this skirt for me because well, I do think she is a pro! I am amazed that it turned out so good(but not surprised mom) because she basically did one fitting and the rest was done states away until it was sent to me in the mail last week. I love it!!!! You did such a great job mom and I can't wait to make the other one with you so your skills rub off on me. Picture isn't so great but I was in a hurry before church. Hopefully you'll see it in person soon mom! It's even cuter in person and has a layer of tulle on the very bottom.

I had to post this of Avery for all those who know my little girl. She ran in the house to get her swim suit on to play water games with the neighbor kids. Let's not forget our necklace and purse! I was laughing and of course had to take a picture. That necklace has had its time around that neck but when it breaks she ties it in a knot and Bam...it's new again. She is sporting the choker necklace look in this one. I also love her hair that most likely didn't get brushed but got put in a pony so she could rush out and play with her friends. That was fun brushing out at the end of the day!! She is a girlie girl but she'll be the first to race you on a bike! She told me she needs a faster bike because the 8 year old boys were faster than she was when they were racing at the end of the cul de sac(where all the kids migrate). It's the safest place in the neighborhood that's for sure!

Tonight Thomas sat us all down on the couch and put himself in charge of FHE(family home evening). He started out by saying,"I want to welcome everyone here to family home depot." Yeah, I have been doing some projects lately and the kids have been there a few times:). What a boy! Pictures to come soon of my projects.

It was a great week. I got my husband back and we loved every second of the weekend with him. Lifes purdy good!

How cute is this............

I came downstairs to see that Avery had made herself some lunch. I thought that was awesome and I was relieved from duty. I then turned to the little table the kids have been eating on until we got the new table(where we all fit!!). I looked down and found this adorable lunch Avery made for her brother as he was still out playing with the neighbor boys. I love how she threw on some pretzels and peanuts to add to the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Your sister loves you Thomas:)

Weekend of fun....

This weekend was a lot of fun as a family. We went to Eric's work picnic where we got introduced to our new outside game(will be purchasing soon)and carrying on in Scottsbluff...I think we will have the whole neighborhood involved! Ha! It's called corn hole. Eric and I competed against each other but we on the same sides. I know it doesn't make sense but all you family members of ours will be playing it soon! Eric was pretty good and I did alright for my first time. Okay I stunk it up but I will be improving.

As soon as we got there the kids got a gift bag and then they lead us to a kids fantasy world. All you can eat snow cones, popcorn, veggies and dip, soft pretzels, nachos etc. We let them get what they wanted when they wanted it. How often do they get to do that. We also had burgers and dogs but they were loving the snow cones. Avery was on the look out for a friend as soon as we got there. It took about 5 minutes and then she was gone with a little girl name Ella the rest of the night. She is my social child for sure!

Here are some pics before we left.........

Brynnley is a big fan of shoes. Especially this one. For some reason she always goes into my closet an gets this one out and walks around everywhere.

These two are getting even closer as Brynnley is growing up. Avery is dying for her to play dolls and often asks,"Mom when will Brynnely be 4." Most likely because she knows that she can do lot's of fun things with her brother who is 4.

Aves and Thomas being their goofy selves! Thomas looks like one of the three stooges.

Saturday we had a great day too. Gotta take advantage of the time when Daddy is home. We went to get La Rosas pizza(YUM) and then went to Graeters ice cream(DOUBLE YUM) and later that evening went to our neighborhood block party. It was so much fun! Every single person in the block was there(one guy is single, one is divorced, and the rest are married). There was over 25 kids there and they all played so well together. There was food and games(of course corn hole) and we stayed out for hours. It was the latest the kids have been out but they were having too much fun and so was I. Honestly I really didn't think there were neighborhoods likes this out there. It was so refreshing. Everyone was so friendly and nice. One of the little 12 year old boys that came to meet us the day after we moved in went up to his mom during the party and said,"Mom, see I told you Eric and Natalie were really cool." So cute! I told his mom Alicia that she has done a great job raising her son. She has 5 kids herself. Anthony(12 year old) and Grant((8)who lives next to Anthony) were the second people in the neighborhood to come and meet us when we moved in. They were giving us the down low of everyone in the neighborhood. Eric and I were trying not to laugh the whole time. They told us there was a vampire that lived a few houses down(the single guy) cause he only came out at night. Little do they know that single people that work all go home after work and VEG...they can do that when they don't have kids. The vampire was at the party too and was very nice ;). I guess we will do this again for Halloween.

Got a busy week already ahead. Can't believe the kids start school in two weeks. Ready or not here we come!!! They are both pretty excited. We have lot's of fun days filled before they head back though.

Dino Dan.............

Thomas came down in the only vest he could find and told me that he was not Thomas but the dinosaur catching Dino Dan. I decided to be the little bro. of Dan(forgot his name and T is in bed to remind me). He was pretty funny.

Sneaking down the stairs............

we capture a few b-ballers in action.

We got rid of the baby baller and got a bigger baller that Eric and I can slam! We have had some intense scrimmages as a family. Eric and I actually get competitive on our shoot outs.

Back to Dan............

Dan is intensely thinking about which dinosaur foot prints we have spotted!

Great Dino adventure Dan!

Until the next one...

I loved being your little bro. that starts with a T.

Reminiscing....

I was looking at old photos today and am wondering where the time has gone. It seems like yesterday that we were starting our family. I realized a few things...

Avery looked a lot like her handsome Dad at this age. Especially when he is hungry!!

I don't like my hair long.

I still adore that beautiful sweet face! I can't believe you are 5 Aves. You are the greatest example to your brother and sister. You are a JOY! We love you very much!! Thanks for our nightly chats. I hope they will continue for years to come.