Cont'

We played a ton in the water this summer. Almost every day we went to the pool, Celebration, or played in the sprinklers at home. James at first hated the spray water but soon found it was so much fun. Both kids became fish this summer. James has no fear and just jumps in whether you are ready or not. Maddison is still more timid but as long as she has her arm floaties on she was unstoppable. She got really use to putting her face in the water and even practiced a few times without the floaties. Hopefully next year she won't need them.

Grandma took us on a mystery trip to the Dallas Aquarium. We all got to ride the Dart train there (which James LOVED). They had a great time with all the animals. Maddison got lost once but was faithfully by our side the rest of the time.

So four months later....

So I know it is four months later but life happens. This summer flew by and we really enjoyed it. Maddison has started back at preschool and James is in joy school now with a couple of our friends and really seems to enjoy it as well. Ryan is in school and I am still crazy busy with the various jobs I have. Here are some pictures of the past four months of adventures:)

We went on our first camping trip with the kids. They loved it! James was obsessed with the fire. Every time Ryan would put lighter fluid on it, James would yell "Again! more!" Maddison loved chasing butterflies in the field across from us. We stayed one night and made wonderful memories. Kids can't wait to go again!

My kids LOVE to do crafts. They ask to do them all the time. So here are some fun pictures of when James decided to "craft" himself and Maddison doing playdoh. She likes to get on line and follow the instructions to do the different playdoh things.

Preschool Grad

I really should have posted this a long time ago but here it is anyway. Maddison had the opportunity to go to Apple Creek Preschool this year and it was wonderful. She learned so much and she still has a year before K-grade. I don't know what I am going to do with her. Anyway, she seems to have followed in my footsteps in performing. She loves it and like me is more comfortable on stage than any where else. Here is a clip from her graduation. The funniest thing about this is the kid next to her. His name is Cade and I guess he just got a little stage fright because he just melts down during the Peanut Butter and Jelly song. Maddison just kept looking at him like "what is your problem? This is fun!" They were both so cute and still play together at the pool often :) Thank you to the people who made it possible for her to attend this year. You all are such a blessing.

Uncle Ryan

Can I just say that my kids just love their Uncle Ryan. Whenever he comes over they just go nuts and he is so cute with them. Here are some pictures of them playing outside.

Owen's Farm

We went with some friends to the Owen's farm in Richardson. It was so fun and perfect for kids. We spent about 2 hours there, saw everything, went on a hay ride and then had lunch and the kids went home and took naps. I didn't think my kids would actually feed the goats but they did. Both had them licking and eating out of their hands. Maddison really loved petting the pony too. Thanks for coming Crystal and Rhonda!

Hay ride. James thought it was a choo-choo.

So much for a group picture...
Really nice pony.

Trip to the zoo

We went to the Ft. Worth zoo on half price Wed when Ryan had work off. I love that zoo it is so much fun. The kids favorite part was the bird enclosure. We bought the little feed sticks and both kids got to hold and touch the birds. James was especially fascinated by them. Maddison was very persistent in getting one on a stick by herself. We were probably in there a good 40 minutes. However, they were worth it! James just touched one.

Maddison getting one by herself.

Here birdie!

The week before we went to the Dallas zoo with my mom. We were in a similar enclosure but they had more than parakeets there. Anyway, my mom was just standing there and had a cockatail land right on her head and stay there for a while. I guess he thought it was a nest :) I didn't have my camera on hand but the kids thought it was great.

James' Birthday #2

Choo-Choo!Mmm I think he likes it.

James' birthday was all choo-choos. I have never seen a boy who was as obsessed with trains as James is. We all pitched in and got him a train set that has all the bells and whistles. He loves it. Ryan Vandiver got him a Thomas the Train pillow that he likes to sit on and pretend he is on a train. The following video's are of his first look at it. He still signs when he hears things by putting his hand up to his ear. He does this when he hears a train, plane, bus or motorcycle. James loved all the trains he got for his birthday.

In fact a day after we got them we had to go somewhere and I told him he could take a few of his trains. Well I saw him put 2 in and then we left. In the car I gave him the trains and he kept saying "more more. " I told him that was it and we kept going, despite his instistence. Well when we got home he wanted to play with his trains but we could not find the rest of them anywhere. I looked all over the house but couldn't find them. I was pretty upset because I just thought "great now we have a train table but no trains." Well a little while later I was getting something out of my purse and lo and behold there were the rest of the 12 trains. Funny you think I would have noticed the extra weight. James had put them in there when i wasn't looking. Now the trains still go every where we go but he has a "manly train purse" to take them in.

It was so nice having every one here for his birthday. We actually celebrated it on Easter. He is too young to know we did it a day early, right?



First look at the train.

Enjoying the sights and sounds.


I made the cake but relied on my dad for the decorations on it. He did this free-hand using the picture on the plates. Isn't he amazing? Thanks mom and dad for all you do for us. We love you!

The first present he opened was a little train and he ran around and then fell on the floor saying "ooooo." It was pretty funny.