Port A

We took our family vacation a bit later in the summer due to Justin's work schedule,
but it worked out perfectly being that it is still plenty HOT in Texas,
and everyone is back to school...
not out at the beach.
Enter the perfect time to hit the Gulf.
We headed out to Port Aransas, and stayed at the Sea Gull Condominiums.
We could not have picked a more perfect spot for our little crew!
The people that owned the unit we rented have kids,
so the place was perfectly suited for a young family,
fully equipped with movies, puzzles, etc.
Here is our trip in pictures...

Texas State Aquarium Fun

Too excited to stand still...

Justin as acting paparazzi...

We LOVE turtles.

We LOVE dolphins, especially from this view.
amazing.

Candy Shop.
Red Vines Salt Water Taffy = amazing.

Salty.

Happiness.

Paige keeping up with her school work on the beach.

Amazon Mom.

Unit 406.
LOVED this place!!!
Don't mind the junk, we had already "settled in " when I took these shots.

Sunset walks.
Shell collecting.
Handwriting/Sandwriting practice.

Photography by Justin.
I think he was really feeling the lighting...

Love this man.

Getting silly now...

Serious sand time.

Paige's pre-dinner shots

Lazy Mornings

Best Buds

Hey Paige...

Family

Little slice of heaven

Hey now...don't really want to go.

Port A attire...whatever you want.
Gym clothes in public is perfectly acceptable here.
Score.

Headed home...riding the Ferry in the Truck. 
This boy was ecstatic.

We can't wait to come back again.
This was the first time our kids swam in the ocean,
played in the sand all day,
touched a stingray,
and woke up to the sound of the waves.
Priceless.

Back to reality.
The kids picked out their Halloween costumes today,
a little early, but why not.
We have one happy Batman and Dorthy (Wizard of Oz) traipsing around the house tonight.
XO

And she's off...

If you know Paige, then you know she was probably ready for Kindergarten 2 years ago...
But, because her birthday is late, this last year of waiting has been particularly difficult
for us both.
She had a great year in Pre-K last year, and we had the most perfect pair of teachers EVER,
but 3 hours of school was just not long enough for her. 
She needed more. 
She needed what I couldn't give her at home. 
So we waited for the day to come.

She wished away every day of summer, for August 27th.
(Everyday pretty much looked like this....
and the girl taught herself to ride a two-wheeler and swim this summer.  She rocks!)

So the day finally arrived.
She was off to Kindergarten.
No tears.
No worry.
She was ready.

The person who took it the hardest was, of course, little brother.
No more dress up days.
No more sister time.
He was a wreck...asking all day when we could go get her.

But he has recovered nicely, and we are counting down the days til he can start Preschool next month.
I was so ready for my girl to start school, that I was surprisingly cool about it all.
I surprised myself.

Then I read this,
and sobbed like a little baby.
Kelle gets me every time.

I am so proud of my girl, and am thrilled she has this opportunity now.
I am so grateful that I have been home with her every day for the last (almost) 6 years and that I have been there for every moment. 
I have not missed a thing. 
What a priceless gift.

Now it is time to let her spread her wings and have some responsibility.
I love that. 

Next month when I have to drop Riv off for his first day I am certain I will cry when I get home.
Probably a very big, ugly cry.
Because he is my little one, and this is it.
They are growing up and my life, my role is changing.
It is so wonderful, but growing pains are hard on Mommas.

Have a wonderful Holiday weekend.
Thinking of all the Moms out there this week!!
XO

Summer Rain

Randomly these storm systems move through our area, and are completely hit and miss.
You never really know when they are coming until they are right on top of you.
On this day, the kids were just playing outside when one moved in.
They ran in to grab their rain jackets (Hilarious)
 and ran back out just as quick to soak up every minute of this much needed rain
(just look at out yard...ack!)

I can't say I love this heat, but I will say I don't miss the Washington cold.
Fall will be welcomed with open arms in our home,
and by "Fall" I mean temperatures under 90.
Oh, Texas.

Happy 4th

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home. - Chief Tecumseh