Sunday, November 3, 2013

School year begins 2013

 School has finally arrived and this is a big year of changes for these kids.  Grace is off to middle school, Haylee is big man on campus at the elementary and Gavin is just beginning his kindergarten journey.  The first day of school could not come fast enough for these guys, they were so excited by the end of summer.

 Even Grace was excited though a bit nervous I think.

Outfits were laid out and all ready to go.  Haylee begged for the pink wedges (though they are not at all school friendly) to go with her ensemble and looked so cute and girly.
 
Workin' it!

Grace is officially done with stores like Children's Place and Justice, she has graduated to the juniors department and though the selection is much better the bang for your buck is not so much!  We had fun shopping though and she has a very fun sense of style and tries to teach me a thing or two about fashion.....luckily I don't need those pointers quite yet. ;)

 
This young man only cared about the ninja turtle shirt and hot wheels back pack. :)  He was so fun to take shopping and pick out his supplies.  However we learned at his back to school night that he was not too happy about the concept of sharing everything "family style", he wanted everything we picked out to be his and his only!  He is very particular we are learning and has an idea in his head how something is going to go and he'll be darned if someone's going to come in and change it!
 
BUT....he's dang cute and so smart and SO ready to be in school learning!!!  He is soaking it up and LOVING IT!!!!

His teacher is Mrs. Termath and she is new to Sunrise but has taught for many years.  She is good for him in that she's pretty strict and down to business but still tender and loving so it's a good mix.


We had the kids' pictures done again by a friend of the lady that did them last year since she moved out of state.  She did a fantastic job and was okay with us getting Paige's done also.  The weather was horrible that day, literally DUMPING rain the entire time but you cannot even tell in the photos I am super impressed. 
 

Sweet Haylee, 4th grade age 9





Gavin the big kindergartner, age 5






And little Miss Paige, 9 months








I can't even pick a favorite they all turned out so well.  Grace opted out of these ones since her school pictures were taken on the first day of school and she was happy with how they turned out.  I am wishing we would have done them anyway though and will definitely do them next year if she offers this again.

Last school picture before braces are on.....get a good look. :)  She is so excited to get them on and I feel bad because I know she's a bit self conscious about her teeth but I think she is so beautiful and is looking so grown up and mature it's just surreal.

So the school year is off with a bang and we are back to schedules and bed times and early mornings, oh my!  Grace starts volleyball pretty soon, Haylee started Solar Energy choir and will start tumbling, Gavin is just enjoying his half days and is a busy boy.  We still have our Y pass which we are loving and trying to get in to use that as much as we can.  We might start Gavin in swim lessons this winter too.  Other than that its just been enjoying what little bit of sunshine and nice weather we can get and raking......raking.....and more raking!  Happy Fall!!!


Just an fyi,  Amy Stinebaugh is who did the photos and if you need someone to take some pictures she is super sweet and does an amazing job.  This is a link to her face book since she doesn't have a website yet I guess but her email is on this page. 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Summer of 2013 at the lake

This was a big year for the family at the lake because Mike got the "okay" from his doctor to be able to get in the water!!!  Summer after summer he's had to sit on the sidelines and watch all of his grandkids play and has not been able to jump in and join them.  He still had some restrictions but he was careful and between the float tubes, canoes, and "tornoe's" he could be out and around everyone enjoying the fun.
This was a fun treat for the kids.  It's small enough for them to learn paddling skills while taking the little kids on rides.  I had never seen this little treasure but it's quite impressive I must say.
 
 
 
Grace was loving it.
,
Our weather was perfect the whole week out there, high 80's and lot's of sun, sun, sun!!! The kids would go back and forth between the dock and the beach making up all sorts of games, hunting for large rocks to try and pick up, playing school, making things in the sand, or just laying on their towels sharing fun cousin conversation.  Oh summer's at the lake how we love thee.........
 
 
 
 
Besides the fish hook in the foot. ;)  Oops
 
 
 
 
 
Ben and Wendy brought up their canoe and the kids played in it for HOURS!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Still the best of friends.
 
Little sun kissed beauty.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This girl had a REALLY big week but should probably not blog about such things. ;)

 
Grandma came through big time with the crafts too.  It gets better every year and it's perfect for the times when we are trying to get meals ready or they are just burnt out from the sun.  Because they are getting bigger now it's not quite as much work to get things they can all do pretty much by themselves.  Bonnie has a good system and us girls stay out of the way unless she needs help because it's a nice break for us Mommy's too. :)


 



 





No summer would be complete without  a trip to the ice cream shop.


Just missing Zoey. :(


Fun in the bath. 
 

 

  
Peek a boo

This girl loves all the kids and attention.
 
Beautiful girls.


Lots of grandparents getting to love on the babe, so sweet!

 
Goofy girls



Bonnie also brought a fun game for the kids that was hilarious to watch. You put a shower cap on the kids' heads, cover in shaving cream or whipped cream and try and throw pom poms at each other and stick them to it.
Getting ready


 
Everyone had their own style of war paint.






 
 
No action shots but they had a blast! 
 
We had a fantastic week!