Summer is already over and school has started!

Well Jeez Louise! Where did the summer go?! We had a very busy summer with parties and guests and guests and guests and parties. We hosted a baby shower and 60th birthday party for my parents that was great. Work on the new house never seems to end and the kids are getting big. Vince started Kindergarten and LOVES it- thank God! I asked him after his 1st day if it was good and he said "Try PERFECT!!" Soooo thankful to not be the mother with the screaming kid this year. He's doing a 1/2 day program so he's home with us in the morning, takes the bus to school at 11:15, then gets dropped back off at 2:45ish.  I miss my guy, but I guess it's time to share ;)  

 Waiting for the bus.

 Is that it?!

 My best bud

 Have a great day!

We sped through the summer at a crazy pace. I swear we turned around and there was fall! We've been busy with the house and work. I'm still watching Ellie and Brayden a few days a week. The kids all get along pretty well and really have fun growing up together. I really enjoy staying home with my kids and watching them grow. I'm so glad I can and the sacrifice is worth it to us. They've grown so much this summer! And we are all enjoying the new house. It's so nice to have all the space and our neighborhood is awesome. We are so blessed.

The gang

Celebrating Father's Day 

 

                           

Got a "new" hoop!

                            

The boys are show-offs

                            

:)

Happy 4th! Not sure who was louder- the fireworks or the kids at their first fireworks?!

The girls

"Tell Gabe the door is on the side! He's never going to get through the top like that!" 

Camping out back for the first time.

 Pretty excited!

 I really wish she had more personality! haha

 We saw a house with Vince's favorite car- "GREM!" from Cars 2

Self portrait 

 Vince and his good friend Griffin at Safety City. 

 And she's off to Preschool! She loves it and is making many new friends

 Brayden is 9 months!

 M loves B

Cutie Patootie!

Ok, I'll try to be better about posting sooner- but I can't promise anything!

Why hello there!

We've had a super busy last six months!! We've been busy with school, work, babysitting and most importantly- MOVING! Boy, was that exhausting... But we are sooo thrilled to be here. We had so many friends and family to help and that made a huge difference and we couldn't thank you enough. The kids are having a blast, the family I babysit for lives 3 minutes away, and we have tons of space to breath and grow! We're very lucky...

Vince is about to finish his last year of preschool :(  Mommy's sad about losing her best helper and resident tattletale, but gotta let go. Sniff.... He also played a little soccer this spring and Gabe helped coach. It was a very fun time for both.

The team

Our baby Mia turned 3 in February. We can't believe how fast it went. She'll be starting preschool in the fall and Mommy is VERY glad the terrible two's are over! Well, mostly over... ;) Vince and Mia really are the best of friends, we're so happy they get along so well and are so loving; sometimes a little TOO loving!

Mommy and the kids have been babysitting Elliana and her new brother Brayden who was born in December. We've all been having a great time with the new baby. Vince loves having a "brother" around and Mia has gotten quite maternal on us! Ellie and Mia are best friends when they're not fighting- sisters to the end! And Mommy gets her baby fix and the 4 kids I always wanted, that is till I actually had 1 and realized what an idiotic idea that was! Brayden is a very happy baby, always smiling. We love him to bunches!

Here's some new house pictures...

 Front view

Great room 

                                   

                                      

Kindergarten corner :)

Kitchen

Dining room

 Living room- working on filling up this room a little more.

                                 

 Front door

English garden 

Back patio 

Red Bud tree bed 

 Those boxes on the patio are our new play set. Somebody come help us build it!!!

                                        Bye everybody! Hopefully it won't be another 6 months!

Happy 2012!

Best friends

Been slacking! Sorry....

We had a busy holiday season. We started with Vince's 5th birthday. We had a nice party to celebrate and he had a great time with his friends and our family. We got more Monster Trucks then I knew existed!

I really can't believe my first baby is 5 already! It's gone by too fast already. But I wouldn't take anything back- he is our very special boy and we couldn't love him or be more proud.

I wonder what this is?!

Mia misunderstood the present aspect of birthdays...

Our mini-celebration at home with just us.

Our best buddy Ellie, in mom's FAVORITE t-shirt... not dad's!

At the indoor play area with friends and lots of family.

GREAT time had by all, especially Vince!

Made it back to Circle S this year! Another great time.

Mia LOVED the animals, as usual.

Vince waving from the "bat caves."

Mom and Dad taken by Vince- good job!

Mia did NOT like daddy and Vince in the port-o-potty!

Hayride to the pumpkin patch- exciting!!

Good-bye Circle S!

Vince wanted to be Woody this year and Mia was Cinderella of course!

Community Halloween party, smiling with Buzz.

They had a dance floor and Vince pulled out his break-dancing! lol

Our family :)

Thanksgiving- cousins causing trouble with a capital T!

Merry Christmas 2011

Went to the Martineau family Christmas party in West Virginia. Unfortunately Vince had a spill and split his chin open. Quite exciting! We drove to the ER 30 minutes away and Vince got 3 stitches. Won't forget that party!

This is Vince, with his stitches, and his doctor.

Christmas cookie time.

Grandpa came for Christmas. We had a nice visit.

Mia's new slippers and purse.

Santa brought us bikes!!

Vince is PUMPED!

Actually we able to ride a couple times after Christmas.

Guess that about catches us up. Vince has started reading and Mia is finally potty-trained! Big things happen before we even notice.

Hope everyone had a great holiday and have a wonderful New Year!