First Day of School

After weathering Hurricane Irene and a one-day delay...three out of our four kiddos went back to school on Thursday! Although E has to wait a few more days for preschool to begin, he joined in the pictures and the bus stop wait too! 8)

Biggest brother B proudly headed off to fourth grade this year!


S was happy to join several of her best friends in her second grade class!


Our baby (he is our youngest...even though E joined our family later!) went to kindergarten this year. When he returned home before lunch I asked W what his favorite part of his first day of kindergarten was. Without hesitation he answered, "SNACK!" 8)


We made a big decision this spring to have E repeat preschool again this year. This is the first time since E came home from Ethiopia that he and I have had daily one-on-one time...and the first time our "twins" have been separated for a significant portion of each day. While I am enjoying my special time with E, he's already clearly missing his playmates!

The first day of school was a huge success! Everyone got on and off the bus tear free...well, except a certain mom and dad who waived goodbye smiling and misty-eyed. 8)

Happy 7th Birthday, S!

On June 3rd we celebrated S's 7th Birthday!

After a fun day at school celebrating with her teacher and friends, we headed out to the boat to enjoy pizza and cupcakes together as a family!

Later that weekend we enjoyed dinner and more cake (a Little Mermaid creation made with love by Grammy!) with grandparents, Uncle K, Auntie L, and cousin R.

Finally, the week after her birthday S was joined by three special friends who enjoyed manicures and ice cream sundaes afterwards!



We are so proud of our sweet S! She is a special daughter, loving sister, sweet cousin, and caring friend.

Happy 7th Birthday, baby girl!

Always Thinking

W to Grampy at their recent visit to a museum near our home:

"Hmmm...sooo...before this was a butterfly museum it must have been a caterpillar museum, right?"

Happy 9th Birthday, B!

On May 23rd, we celebrated B's 9th Birthday!


A little birthday snuggle from cousin R.


And a hug from S too!


We enjoyed two family parties PLUS a mini-golf outing with two of B's favorite friends!


NINE things we don't want to forget about nine-year-old B-bop:

1. B always has to have socks on...regardless of whether they match or are even his!

2. B LOVES to sing...anywhere, any song, any octave!

3. B enjoys just a bit of quiet time downstairs watching TV each morning before the other kids join him...so he very carefully navigates each of the many creaks in our wood floors to travel downstairs. alone. undetected.

4. B's favorite sport is golf, which he loves learning during lessons arranged by Grandpa each summer.

5. B has an amazing ear for music...he can pluck out most songs he hears on the piano or the trumpet...from new pop songs to the National Anthem!

6. B enjoys inventing backyard games combining random pieces of sports equipment. Wackleball...badminton racket and soccer ball...is the current favorite.

7. B is one talented trumpeter!

8. B has a HUGE heart for loving and sharing Jesus!

9. B is a FANTASTIC son and big brother!


Happy 9th Birthday, B! WE LOVE YOU!

We're Back!

We have so much fun to share from the last three months! We've been VERY busy...birthday celebrations, talent show, horseback riding, dance recital, boating fun...oh, and that new business venture we're launching later this summer too! 8)

Stay tuned for lots of catch-up posts...