First day of school

It is so hard to believe that the cubs have started PK-4. They attend 3 days a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. My heart skips a beat when I realize my sweet, little cubbies will be in Kindergarten next fall.

"First day of school" hug:

"First day of school hug" spiraling out of control:

Let's try again:

Suspicion and guilt???:

Seattle trip!

We had an awesome trip to Seattle in August. We packed in so many activities...a family party, Steve's High School Reunion, trips to the Point Defiance Zoo, Snoqualmie Falls, Pike Place Market, Saltwater State Park...Dad got to play golf and Mom had a spa day. Of course, the best part was the quality family time!!

This was also the cubs' first plane trip and it went remarkably well. I was really dreading it but it ended up going much better than expected. I was incredibly thankful for that!

We took over 1000 pictures on our trip...and although we would love to share them all, I picked some of my favorites!

The view from above:

Em's first plane trip - thumb's up!:

The sports authorities...





Saltwater State Park:







Snoqualmie Falls:











View of Seattle from Alki Beach:






Point Defiance Zoo with Jaxon:







Playing at Jaxon's:




Pike Place Market:

Summer fun is exhausting.

We kept equally as busy during the summer as we did during the school year. The cubs were in a summer program at a local preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We were still commuting to Denton for speech sessions at TWU and we still had swim lessons. Our summer was also full of play dates and birthday parties with friends. Grandma and Grandpa Bear visited us a couple of times, which is always fun, and it allowed Mom and Dad a rare date night. Dad was able to play golf weekly and Mom was still going strong with all the social functions...Bunco games, Pokeno games, Women's Club, and girls' nights out. We love our neighborhood and all the new friends that we have made here. Our subdivision has started building Phase 2, which means more friends to meet!

Family!

In June, Grandma Shirley and Great-Grandma Betty came down from the Pacific Northwest to visit us. We had a great weekend - no big events - we just spent time together...and that's the most important thing!!

Like mother, like daughter

This girl totally takes after her Mommy:

May - Kitchen remodel

Cub Central was a construction zone in May once again. I had been very unhappy with how our raised bar had turned out when the house was built. I hated it so much that our tax refund this year went to replace it, so we could have the kitchen we had originally wanted. What should have been an easy fix (just replace the granite bar area) became a whole kitchen redo. Since we couldn't match our existing granite, we had to replace ALL of the granite. Removing the existing granite meant that the backsplash would have to be redone as well. We decided to go "all in" and added some new cabinetry under the bar for extra storage, under/above cabinet lighting since our kitchen is so dark, and a wine fridge. I finally have my kitchen. Too bad it wasn't done correctly the first time. Live and learn...if we ever build again...

The offender: The BEFORE picture. We paid extra for a raised "eat-at" bar. Not a lot of eating to be done here. It was barely wide enough for a plate.


Mid-construction. New cabinets and granite are in. Preparing to install the backsplash.


It only took about a week. Stay tuned for final pics.... next year, maybe???

4 year old stats

The cubs had their 4 year old check-ups on June 1st. I can't believe they are already four years old. Every night while they are sleeping, Steve and I just look at them in amazement. When we first brought them home, they slept side by side in one crib. Now they are both sprawled out in their very own twin sized big kid beds. They are growing so big...and way too fast!

Emily's stats:

37.2 lbs (65th percentile)
41.5" tall (82nd percentile)

Zach's stats:
31.4 lbs (11th percentile - he FINALLY made the double digits!!)
39.5" tall (33rd percentile)