Day at the Zoo

The kids and I went to the zoo on Friday with Josh, Janet, Jessica, and Cooper. Ryan was home with Jackson so Jessica was able to get out of the house for a little while.

We haven't been to the zoo all summer because it has been so hot, so we had a great time in the semi cool (80's) weather!

That's a gorilla taking a nap on the other side of the glass!

I thought this was very cool! When Elizabeth was in zoo school last year the female tiger had 3 or 4 baby tigers. They were so cute and tiny. Here they are getting very big, but still playing like kids. It seems like we don't see the animals do much except sleep so it was fun watching them play around. The kids got a big kick out of it. It was fun being back at the zoo!

Elizabeth's Meet the Teacher

We had meet the teacher at Elizabeth's preschool tonight.
Our preschool situation has been crazy. We were on the waiting list for a preschool that our cousin went to last year that we were basically guaranteed to get in to, and then low and behold, we didn't get in. So, at the last minute we were scrambling to find somewhere for her to go. I felt like she needed to go somewhere since she will most likely be in full day kindergarten next year. So, we were lucky enough to get into another preschool that we were on the waiting list for. We went to meet the teacher and Elizabeth liked the classroom, but she is a little nervous (as am I!)
Here she is by her name tag. I can't believe my daughter is old enough to be in school! She will be in preschool 2 days a week from 9 - 2. She starts on Tuesday so I'm sure we'll have some first day of school pics on here!

Update!

Update on our house - we have a signed contract as of tonight! So now we are praying that we get through the next 7 days - that's the inspection and appraisal. If we can get through this next week we're much closer to officially selling our house! Yipee!

I guess it's time to start looking at apartments :)

Babies Babies!!!

On Saturday we were invited to Tom's parent's house to swim and have a back to school dinner. Drew is in Kindergarten this year! Time sure flies. The kids had a great time in the pool with Tom. Ben was enjoying a ride on daddy's back.
Elizabeth is being thrown across the pool by daddy. Such a daddy thing to do!

Amelia, isn't she gorgeous?! She's so alert, smiley, and reactive. What a difference 7 weeks makes!

Ben loves to hold babies and brother, Zach, was getting in on the action.

This was on Thursday morning, after Jackson was born. Cooper stayed the night at our house and in the morning opened a present that baby Jackson gave him - some walkie talkies.

This is at the hospital after Cooper met Jackson for the first time. Don't you love their shirts?! They say Little Bro and Big Bro.

I think Cooper is ready to be done holding his brother now. :)

Ben wanted a turn with Jackson. I just can't wait to see these 3 boys playing together. They will be wild - I can see it now!

Elizabeth is our best baby holder. She would do it all day if she could.



We went to Jessica's house on Sunday and did a photo shoot with Jackson. I took pictures on Jessica's camera so she has most of those. Jessica took a few on my camera and here is a couple of them. Doesn't he look precious? I can't wait to see the rest of them!
We are so blessed to have these 2 beautiful babies in our family. I'm sure you'll see many many more pictures of them!

Jackson Is Here!!!!

Yesterday, August 19th, Jessica started feeling contractions and her water was leaking a little bit, so she headed to the hospital at about 1pm with Ryan. This was taken as she was headed out the door - doesn't she look so cute?! Not like someone who is in labor, that's for sure! At 8:10 pm Jackson arrived (they are still thinking about that middle name) He was 9 pounds 2 ounces and 22 inches long. He already has chub on him!

He loved being swaddled up but had a good set of lungs on him when he was unhappy.

He was so calm during his bath! Most babies scream their heads off it seems, but he was starting to go into la la land I think and was just in a daze.

Isn't he big? He doesn't seem like such a newborn to me because he is so big!!
Jessica was doing great when I saw her. I think it was much better this second time around :)
Congratulations, Jessica! We can't wait to bring Cooper up to meet his baby brother today!

Birthday Party and the Circus!

Tom, Elizabeth, Janet and Drew all went to the circus this week. We decided not to take Ben because I thought they would be home too late. Thank goodness they didn't bring him - they got home at 10:30 pm! They had such a good time - Elizabeth thought it was so fun to see the clowns and acrobats. I think she looks so grown up in this picture! None of the pictures really showed up - but it sure looks like a ton of fun.
Enjoying the show.

On Monday we went to Chuck E Cheese for a friend's birthday party. The kids had a fun time on the horse.

Elizabeth and Josh played air hockey together.

Elizabeth bucking the bronco! :)

Ben driving the monster truck. Chuck E Cheese is a great place for us to go on a hot summer day. We were very busy and worn out by the end of the party!

House for Sale!!

Anybody need a new house?!

I am going to be so sad to leave this house - but I guess I don't need to worry about it just yet. They aren't selling too quickly in our neighborhood!

Our bedroom - all ready to be shown. We had our first showing this morning!

Elizabeth's room. One of my favorites in the house.

Ben's room. Love this one too!

Our family room. I hope it sells, but I will miss this place! The first home Tom and I bought together, and the only home our children have known. I'm looking forward to something different and larger though!

I Believe I Can Fly!

Our new favorite thing to do in Grandma's pool is to jump off the side, swim to the steps, get out and do it all over again. Elizabeth has turned her jumps into kind of dives, kind of jumps. This one looks like its moving towards a potential painful move :)!
That's some great kicking guys!

Whew - she's white!!!

Cooper having a great time swimming with me and Grandma. Jessica was taking a little nap - one of her last since the baby is coming any day now!

Hey there cutie!

Thanks for letting us swim, Grandma! It's the only way to survive our 100 degree heat summers!

Amelia's Baptism

Our niece, Amelia, was baptised on Sunday. Janet and Chris are the godparents.

Victoria and her beautiful baby.

The boys - hanging out waiting for pictures to be over.

Elizabeth and Benjamin love to hold Amelia. They think it is so much fun.

On Tom's side - all the cousins who live here in Texas. Drew, Josh, Zach, Ben, Elizabeth, and Amelia. Elizabeth finally got a girl cousin!!

I had to add this picture - the cake was very cute but guess who's finger is in the picture? Oh yeah, my Ben. He kept swiping icing!! Naughty boy.

Before the baptism I attended a baby shower for my friend, Kristi. She's due a month after Jessica.

The 2 pregnant girls - so cute!!