First Day of School

Yes, I know it's been a week since the first day of school, but my computer and pictures do NOT get a long very well. Most of the time that I'm uploading pictures to the computer or to facebook, my computer completely shuts off on me. Right in the middle of something. I don't know what the deal is. In fact while typing this and uploading pictures, out of no where- off- TWICE! Russ has said we were going to get a new computer. Well, I'm ready!!

Anyway, enough complaining....

The girls are loving their schools. Becca is in PreK and Maddie is in 2nd. Since we moved, Maddie is at a new school. So far, she loves it and I am really impressed with it and her teacher. Becca's teacher is fabulous. She was also Maddie's PreK teacher and we love her to death.

On the first day of school, I asked Becca how it was. She said, "Ms. T didn't even notice my toenails." I told her that her teacher had a lot of toenails to look at on the first day. Then Becca says, "Oh well, at least I was the cutest one there." The girl does not lack in the self-confidence area, that's for sure.

Becca got in the car the other day and her teacher says, "Becca doesn't let me forget anything." I said, "Becca's a lot different than Maddie." And the look on her teacher's face said it all- 'yep, TOTALLY different- MUCH louder and more outgoing and isn't afraid to tell the teacher when she forgets something.' Gr-ea-t, can't wait for parent teacher conferences. (sarcasm implied)

I always take a picture in front of the entertainment center to see how much they've grown since last year.

All three girls in front of the house.

Maddie at her desk.

Becca on her reading couch.

Ready to learn! Or tell the teacher what to do. Whatever comes first.

Say cheese

Whenever I take pictures of the girls, I say, "say cheese". Rylan caught on to that and poses for me now. It cracks me up the way she throws her head back, squints her eyes and shows her teeth. Hi-lar-i-ous.

With Uncle Eric:

With Grandma:

With Aunt June:

With Daddy:

With Merma:



At her birthday party:

Iowa

Every summer we head to Iowa to see family. This year, we had a family reunion to go to. (aka-lots of people I don't know) But it was fun to see the relatives I do know. :)

We spent about 10 days up there and had so much fun. The girls love it and within days of getting back home, they ask when we are going back to visit everyone. Maddie loves being in Iowa so much that she swears she's going to live there someday.

I have so many pictures:

Our family. (Rylan was taking a nap.)

My little brother Eric- gee, I wonder why he's single. Dork.

My cousin Jessica and her little girl Jayden.

Becca, 3rd cousin Lauren and Maddie

Becca all wet.

Ry-ry and her "silly face":

Maddie swinging.

Becca on a nature walk.

I love, love, love these pictures of Becca:

This is the giant swing at my mom and dad's house. We all love it. It makes you feel like you are floating.

I love the way the sun was hitting the girls in this picture:

This is the cabin part of Mom and Dad's B&B:

My dad out mowing hay:

They all sat still!!

There are dozens and dozens of deer near Foxwood. We were driving home and we counted over 20. This one just stared at me when I got out to take it's picture.


Two of the girls' favorite things to do at Grandma's house are:

1. Ride in Grandpa's golf cart. Uncle Rex was nice enough to drive them around. and around, and around and around.

2. The shopping cart. Rylan has taken to it now.

We put Rylan down in the yard to take some pictures. She had to "try" the grass. We don't have soft stuff like this in our yard!!

Rylan and 2nd cousin Ben having a chat. Ben is just 3 months older. His dad is Rylan's 1st cousin.


Russ might have gotten his sports girl after all:

This was just before she started walking. She didn't know what to think about the grass on her feet.

We went BACK to Mom and Dad's (it's a closer drive home than from Russ' family). It was the 4th of July.


The girls with my Mama Pat:

The girls with their Merma:


Dad found some OLD sparklers. They seriously burned up in like 7 seconds. You had to be quick to play with them. :)

VBS

We had a great VBS this year. Jenny L- you rocked it. She was super organized and had it all together. If you were nervous about it, you didn't show it. :)

The girls had a great time, learned new things, got to go in an underground church (that was awesome- way to go Wendy and Jim), made cool crafts (Maddie wears her pop bottle lid necklace every day) and new friends.

I didn't have VBS when I was a kid, so it is a great experience for me to see our great church put this on for our kids and so many others in the community. Rome was fun, but Egypt next year will be even better!! :)

The registration team was awesome!! They were so organized. Better than last year, huh Mitzi?

The decorations rocked. Susan and Karen did a FABULOUS job painting the Colosseum.

Jenny- checking in on everyone.

Rick and Amanda did games. The kids had so much fun fighting Gladiators and "riding" in a chariot.

Matt and Johnny did a great job of playing Paul and Brutus.

Mike and Billeta were Becca's family leaders. They had a whole gaggle of little girls. So Mike girlied it up for them.