Braces Off

Almost two years after getting them, Kayla finally got her braces taken off! It was so funny because at first she didn't like it and wanted them back on.  After a little reassurance that she just wasn't used to it, she quickly decided she looked beautiful, lol! Love to see her big smile again.

One of my favorite things to do with the girls is lay out in the backyard and have picnics.  The girls love to have breakfast out there.  Sometimes it just does the soul some good to just lay outside and enjoy the beautiful world we live in.

Varsity Volleyball

I loved getting to watch Kayla start Varsity last night. We are so proud of her and amazed at how much her skill level has grown over the past year. It's going to be a fun few years. It definitely brings me back to my school years and takes every piece of me to not jump out on that court.

Always posing!

Their little hand shakes:

Back to School

The girls started school last week.  It has been going awesome so far.  They were all ready to go back to school.  My girls love staying busy and they love being with friends so they have always enjoyed school.  Kayla started her Sophomore year.  Time slow down!  I can't believe we only have a few years left with her.  Several of her friends have started getting their drivers licences, and she has been riding with her best friend to school every morning.  It is so crazy seeing them leaving.  But it's also exciting and rewarding at the same time.  I'm proud of the young woman that she's becoming, and excited to see her grow and see what her future holds. 

Callie started the third grade and moved over to the Elementary School.  She was a little nervous to be going to a new school, but I think she will do awesome.  On Friday, after she had been at school all week, her teacher was standing outside helping the kids out of the cars.  When I opened my door, she poked her head in after Callie got out and said "She is SUCH a good girl."  That made me feel good, I'm proud of Callie and the good example to she is to those around her.  She also was put into the gifted and talented program this year.

 Little Miss Hailey Grace started Kindergarten.  She was so excited to have Miss Mitchell as her teacher, That was her cousin Reagan's teacher last year.  She loves her and thinks her teacher is so pretty.

Brynlee gets to stay home with me this year.  She has been having fun doing preschool time with me and will hopefully also get to do HIPPY this year as well. I'm loving getting to spend time with her.

Little backpack buddies.

Summers End

Wow what a great summer it has been! First going home to Wyoming for my brother Seth's wedding and getting to see all my family and making so many great memories.  Then coming home and getting our old home all packed up and moved out.  Then moving into our beautiful new home, which we have loved even more than I could have imagined.  After that my amazing trip to New York with my mom, where we had the best time and met so many new friends.  In between all that we were able to squeeze in some basketball camps, swimming lessons, volleyball camps, church camp, and summer library programs.  We have been busy, but it has been fun having so much to do and having so many new adventures. This has been one of the best summers I've had.

But my favorite has definitely been moving into our new house.  I wanted to write down some of  my favorite things about it so I don't forget:

1. I love our backyard.  The little girls and I named it "Shelton Park".  We set up a picnic table back there and some hammocks.  We love eating breakfast out back in the morning. It is so peaceful and beautiful and I love having big mature pecan trees.  Oh and I love the pine trees too, because it reminds me of home!

2. I love our kitchen because the bar stools in the island are fun for the kids to eat at, also we have all loved having an ice machine in our fridge.  I've found it gets the kids drinking so much more water than they used to.

3. Having a formal dining room. Wow, I don't even know if before we've ever had room for all of us to sit at one time.  It's so nice not only having room for all of us to sit, but now extra room for company.

4. After moving in, we discovered surround sound through the house and even onto the back porch.  It's fun being able to turn our music up loud and have it fill the house.  Also, something cool Kayla learned is that she can hook her phone up to it and speak through it.  The other day she announced it was time for dinner, like an intercom, and about scared us all to death, lol!

5.  Our Jacuzzi tub.  I don't know how I ever did not have one of these, but I have gone through years of un needed torture, I am way to tall for a regular bathtub.  This one is the best!

6. The front porch and landscaping.  Okay, the previous owners really thought everything out with this house.  And they really did such a great job with all the landscaping and porch.  It is just beautiful.  I could sit out their for hours, but unfortunately it is usually just minutes, courtesy of  Arkanasa mosquitos!

7. Having a game room.  Who would have known I would use a game room so much?  Anytime the girls want to throw a ball.  Go to the game room.  Play hoola hoops... to the game room!  Gymnastics... game room!  It is nice having a big room that they can just rough house in and not worry about anything breaking.

8.  Having my first piano.  Well we had one growing up, but this is my first piano I've ever had.  I love going up there and playing after I've put everyone to bed, it's such a relaxing end to my day.

I could go on and on, but I'll probably stop with that, those are my favorite things and we all feel so blessed to have found this home and feel like it was made just for us.

Hailey's 6th birthday pictures

I like to take individual pictures of my kids on their birthday, this session was fun because we got to take it at our new house! Hailey is so photogenic, how do you choose your favorite?

We love our sweet Hailey.  So kind hearted and a sensitive spirit.  She loves to be outdoors, sing and dance.  She loves fashion and accessories.  She can plan out her outfits everyday and can pick things that look so cute together.  If I have to tell her no to something, she is quick to say "okay" and move on as if it's no big deal.  She wakes up first every morning and usually helps me make breakfast or water the plants before the other girls get up.  We enjoy our morning time together :)  She is going to kindergarten this year and is very excited to go to school. She has most recently started to swim and read and is a quick learner! We love our Hailey Grace.

Hailey's birthday party

I didn't throw any crazy "themed" birthday party like I usually do since we have been so busy this summer, but Hailey had a great birthday celebrated with family.  She got so many things she loved.  Thankyou to everyone that sent her gifts and came!

This is the stretchy unicorn Grandma Debbie got Hailey.  She knew just what she likes!

Summer fun

The other day we went to the children's museum with Debbie and Misti and with Craig and Jillian's girls while they were at camp.  We had a great time.  The girls love spending time with their cousins!

This next picture is from when the girls went to their end of year swim party, they had a blast.  Mrs. Susan had the whole pool decorated and had awesome "beach" themed refreshements and goodies for the kids.

This picture is from a birthday party that we went to at Craig and Jillians house the other day.  The girls were so cute eating their huge watermelon!