first day of 2nd grade

Becky was super excited to start back to school today...despite not having a whole lot of friends in her class this year.  She is so positive.  She tole me at her open house when we got the class list earlier this week, "It's okay, Mom.  I'll just make new ones."  Love this girl so much!  She never ceases to amaze me with her caring and loving personality.

she was slightly more excited about carrying her Monster High backpack than school actually starting!

with her teacher...ready to begin the day.

end of summer fun

Nothing signifies the end of summer like one last trip to Adventureland while there are no lines!  I am so glad Becky is still willing to let her mom take her to the park and ride the rides with her.  We had a blast.

Here we are on the Tilt-a-Whirl.  Still my favorite ride!

Becky loved the mirrors...almost as much as she loved riding the Dragon three times!

Becky got completely drenched on the log ride.  Like soaked.  I couldn't stop laughing.  It was like in a movie where the wave just came over her head in slow motion.  

Probably the last year for the Frog Hopper.....

...because she's now tall enough for the Space Shot!  We went two times in a row, and then after Colby joined us, she went once by herself after dark.  She said that was the best because. "The lights were so beautiful, Mom!  I could see the whole city!"

Colby riding the cars.

riding in the boats together

with their new bears they won at the horse race game...another bonus about it not being crowded...no strangers to play against...which means bears for both kids if you play twice!

On the teacups.  We rode those twice with Colby.  He was telling everyone the next day that that was his favorite ride.

airplanes

teacups again

I had the day off on Monday, so I took the kids to Ashby Park.  They were the only kids in the wading pool for about an hour.  They had a blast.

first of August

Here is Becky ready to go to church camp for the first time.  It was much harder for us parents to leave than for them to see us go.  She had a blast!  There were only four girls and two boys in her camp at Wesley Woods.  She got to ride horses twice, go creek stomping, mud sliding, swimming, roast hot dogs and marshmallows, sing songs, go on hikes, and learn about Jesus.  She came home tired but not homesick....so that was wonderful.  She's getting so big!  

While Becky was at church camp, I went to Nashville, Tennessee for court reporter convention.  We stayed at an amazing hotel and had fun learning and networking with other court reporters.  I went with two other court reporters from Iowa that I'm on the ICRA Board with (I'm standing in between them.)  We met up with some gals they met last year from Mississippi.  They were a lot of fun.

All smiles after being up for close to 24 hours and eating some great BBQ!

More friends from Mississippi

Even had time to hang by the pool for a couple hours and look who showed up! I couldn't resist taking a picture for my kids.

All dressed up for the President's party. 

I left the party early for the opportunity to go to the Grand Ole Opry.  I couldn't stand the thought of being in Nashville at a hotel next door and not go.  Added bonus.....Carrie Underwood was there!  It doesn't get much better than that!

My court reporter pal from Iowa, Teresa, and I in front of the Grand Ole Opry.

I sure was happy to see my kids when I got home.  (and Al too, but I think he disappeared and took a break for a while) We had fun just hanging out and cuddling.

backyard fun

When the kids are away...the parents will do projects.  What was supposed to be a one-hour project took us closer to five (plus two trips to the hardware store!)  And thank goodness for nice neighbors who let you borrow tools!  The end result was definitely worth the five minutes the kids spent playing on it before they wanted to watch TV.  Gotta love them!

I quit trying to get any clear pictures of Becky because, as she said, she was going WAY too fast for me to get more than a blur!

our amazing parrot

Becky got to participate in a drama camp at the Civic Center this summer.  She had so much fun.  One Friday night, she got to perform as a parrot on the civic center stage.  She had a riot and did amazing!  Thanks to all the family that came to watch.  She was so excited to have you all here.  

Just in case you are having trouble finding here...she's second from the left with the green arms and orange body...and huge smile on her face!

Where did June go?

June sure was a busy month, and it seemed to fly by!  Al and I kept busy with work and meetings during the week...but we managed some fun on the weekends.  Here are some of the highlights!

I ran Dam to Dam with a good friend of mine from work.  We had beautiful weather for a run.....and we managed to smile afterward!

Becky had her last soccer game....where she got her very own medal for a season well played!

The Sullivans came to visit the weekend of the Autism Walk.

Colby in one of his favorite places - under the patio playing in the rocks.

At the Autism Walk

Becky and Sleeping Beauty

Spiderman!  Colby was so excited!

The kids has a blast at Vacation Bible School....and I managed to survive a week of being preschool leader!

Adventureland!

in the teacups

I love his serious 10 and 2 position!

taking a rest

the tilt-a-whirl.  My favorite!  Al rode it with us once, and then the kids and I got to stay on for another turn. Glad they can both stomach it like I can!!

Probably the last year Becky will be short enough to ride the boats with her brother.

About three seconds after I snapped this picture, Colby wanted off.  This ride was just too much for him.  Becky, however, got in line and went again.

The zoo again!  This time the African animals were out.

playing the drums

this time trip we spent some time at the petting zoo

feeding the fish

and the goats

and the cows

what zoo trip would be complete without a picture in the eggs?

posing by the dinosaur fossil

What a fun summer we've had so far!  I'm sure the rest of it will be just as fun packed and busy and fly by!