September Update

We are still here! I have had a ton of people tell me it is time to update, so here you go. It is not that I don't like to post, I actually think of blogging A LOT it is the downloading pictures on the computer that I hate! Most of you know how I am about pictures. It is amazing that I take any at all, and then to actually do something with them is a feat within itself. Anyway, we have had a pretty good September. Zach has been gone a lot which is not good, but when he is home we have taken advantage of it and done a lot of great things. We finally got the baby's room done. It is more like the baby's corner, but still a place for him to sleep. We went on vacation to Dauphin Island in Alabama and had a great time. There were not very many people at the beach, just the way we like it. We spent some very much needed time together.
Also, it rained here for 12 or 13 days straight and I was about to go CRAZY. But in the pictures below you will see what surprise we found other than the jungle grass. Anyway, here are a few pictures that I hope will tide you over until (Hopefully) the baby comes early and I post pictures of him. Cross your fingers!!!

The kids have decided to become monkeys

Sight seeing at Dauphin Island

The boys playing in the sand at the beach. Notice that no one was there. It was a great beach that we will be going back to. Anyone is welcome to join us!

Trying not to get sucked under

Baby girl didn't love the water and sat by me and played in the sand most of the time.

Such a beautiful day. It rained HARD the day before and as we left. Still a great day.

A weird way to sleep comfortably, but Jax didn't have a problem

This "little" guy was in our backyard one day. He was huge and looked mean. This is what all the rain brought.

A conversation with Shade

I am a little slow posting about Shade starting pre-school again. This is his second year and he is mad that it is pre-school again. He thought we was going into Kindergarten for sure this year. I am ok with him home a little longer though.
Today on our way home from picking him up I was asking him about his day. This is what I got:

Me: How was school today Shady?
Shade: Good, I found a really pretty mom.
Me: Oh ya, prettier then me?
Shade: Oh ya
Me: What did she look like?
Shade: She had on a dress with sparkles all over it.
Me: Very pretty
Shade: Ya, I kept saying "snap out of it head, snap out of it" but I couldn't stop looking at her.
Me: (Trying hard not to laugh) She must be really pretty, I better look for her next time.
Shade: Ya, but I still love you mom, Don't worry.
Me: Thanks Shady I still love you too.

How funny are 4 year olds. They speak the total truth and are so innocent. I think I better check this mom out next time and see what is causing him to check out moms instead of learning his letters. Love you Shady!!!! The first day of school

My cute Shade. You can't help but love him.

Dance Class

Monday was Aynslees first day of dance class. She was so cute and it was about the cutest thing I have ever seen watching a bunch of two year old point their toes and do their stretches. She did so well and was the only one that didn't cry and actually listened to the teacher. I was one proud mama. I was a little nervous about how she would do and if she even wanted to dance, but she surprised me and loved it. I think she felt like a big girl and finally got to do something herself. When the class started they took all the kids into the dance room and the moms had to wait in the hall. I was not prepared for that. They did have a a window we could check on them through so I didn't get any good pictures but I got some before we left so enjoy my pretty ballerina.

In her outfit ready to go

Waiting for dad to come home so he could see her before we left

My mom sent me this bag to hold her shoes in. This was my bag when I started dance 25 years ago.

Some stretching

and checking out the whole outfit

at class through the window

starting the warm ups and flag waving to music

First day of First grade!

First Grade!! Not as hard sending him off this year as it was last year, but still not fun. I had to drag him out of his classroom by his book bag for a hug this year when I dropped him off. Jax was ready to go and not nervous at all. It is crazy how much he has changed in one year. This year he has Mrs. Johnson as a teacher and says she is a little "pushy". (He heard his kindergarten teacher tell me she would push him to excel.) She seems great so far. He has 5 or 6 kids in his class that were in his kindergarten class so he was happy about that but sad his best friend is in a different one. They still play at recess though. I love to see him get off of the bus and tell me all about his day. Totally worth waking up early with him. We love you Jax and can't wait to see how "pushy" your teacher will be. Ready to go

Dad and kids before school

Mom and Jax before school
(7 mo pregnant)

My cute babies

Our baby girl?

With already having two boys in the family, I am sure you all know I was pretty excited to have a little girl. A girl that I could dress up in all the clothes I wanted her to wear, paint her nails, and curl her hair. A little girl that would end up being my best friend and we would tell each other everything. Well, when Aynslee was born everything started out as planned. This is Ayns at 1 year old, the way I dressed her.

Moms choice

Aynslees choice

Now that she is two she has decided that she gets to decide what she likes and wants to wear. Granted, most of the time I can still talk her into a pretty dress . This night she chose to wear Shade's football pants and his spongebob shirt. I know it is just to bed, but I am so scared that this is just the beginning. This is the true Aynslee we all know.

The funny thing is that all the dreams I had for her when she was born don't really matter anymore. Who cares about painted nails and curly hair. This is my baby girl and she is already my best friend no matter what she chooses to wear. I will always love my little tom boy, dress or not!

Idaho Post.....Finally

This post should be a part 1,2,and 3 but I am just going to get it done today or it will never get done. Get ready for a ton of pictures. I don't even know where to start. We had such a great time in Idaho, we always do. We love to see family and friends and the kids love to stay up until midnight almost every night. I especially loved being away from the humidity 6 1/2 months pregnant this year. We were going NONSTOP, but I feel that we had more of a vacation this year instead of doing things we "have" to do. We made NO plans beforehand and kind of went with the flow and surprisingly enough we saw everyone and everything we wanted and added some extras in as well. We left for activities when we wanted and took time to just play. Isn't that what a vacation is about? We had two reunions, went fishing, the boys helped Grandpa Leak haul hay, roasted hot dogs, rode horses, rode on the four wheelers many times a day and played with tons of cousins! As you will be able to tell from the pictures we had a blast. We miss everyone already and the kids are already counting down for next summer. Thank you to all of you who made it a great 2 weeks and sorry we ate all your food and trashed your homes. Just be glad it is only once a year right? Love ya!! The beautiful Weston Reservoir where we went fishing with the Leak family

A great view from my in-laws home


Jax, waiting and waiting for a fish. They were not biting that night.


Shade fishing, Ayns thought she was the only problem was there was no hook. Oops!



There always has to be a "project" when Zach and his dad get together

Lots of running from the dog. She hated the dog but ended up being a "little Elvira" to the cat. Lots of loves and kisses.

The boys lived for feeding the horses and chickens at the Stewart Farm

We had TONS of four wheeler rides. Don't worry, Jax never drove!

He did drive this though!

So did Shade. A mother's nightmare!

Jax and Shade riding Snowflake

Even Aynslee warmed up and got on for a second

Aynslee had tons of rides in this swing. So many that she learned how to get in and swing herself for a while. Very nice.

The boys were 100% boys and found some dead birds. Shade needed a picture. BOYS!!!

And what is a vacation if you don't climb trees!

Idaho!

I just wanted to post something quick to let you all know that we are in Idaho for a little bit. I am getting some great pictures and having a ton of fun. The weather is beautiful!! We would love to see any of you out here if we can. Let us know! Get ready for picture overload when we get back!!

We love Idaho!!