Gages 1st day of Preschool....

...and he was so EXCITED!!!


Posing for mom. He picked out what to wear for the BIG day!

His backpack pose...

Can I go yet mom...

His space! Our baby is growing up...

He just sat right down and went to work. He looked at his teacher and asked her for the circle to cut with!

Exploring his new room. Kids were crying and he just went about his way.

Joining Ms. Lisa for some bubble time...

BIG bubble...


And mommy is off...

I snuck into chappel at 9am to make sure he was OK with all the singing (he is not a loud noise kid). I finally found him up front and he was singing, dancing and waving his arms in the air! He had a smile from ear to ear!!!

PRICELESS!!! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you Gage!!! Way to go!!!

Carpool Day #1...

A very sleepy 6:40am wake up call. She just kept saying but its still dark and I'm so tired. All the while bouncing around the house all dolled up for "green" day.

Buckled in for carpool. This may be the best thing EVER!!!

This is Big Gage, aka GP to our GT, can you tell why the girls swoon? Such a cutie.

Our little man was still fast asleep. Now if only he will stay that way we can catch a little more shut eye too.

Happy FIRST full day of Kindergarden Brenna!!!

We made it!!!

Well, its Day 5 BUT its her first day (well, 1/2 day)...

Happy First Day of Kinder Brenna!!!

All smiles...

Showing of her big ole empty (lol) backpack...

Finally, in her class room reunited with her classmates and teacher...

Nervous mommy making sure she is OK. Brenna showing her teacher her big old empty backpack (there are flip flops in there)...

To me it was harder walking her in and down that hall. I had butterflys and she was bascially skipping! She was so brave and just stood up in front of everyone grinning ear to ear so very happy to finally be there. We couldnt be any more proud of her.

Way to go Brenna!!!

Go Diego Go...

So, I feel bad since I am stealing Gages thunder! It was meet the teacher night and he ROCKED! He was so excited, not clingy, went right to his room, met his teachers. It was awesome. We love his school and cant wait until Tues.

Meet Mr Turtle who stole the show...

Now, on the way home Geromi said did you see that turtle??? The kids both start screaming in the back of the 'burban "I wanna see the turtle!" So we do what any parent would we go and rescue the turtle from the road (note he is just starting to cross the white line). Crazy turtle, at turtle speed, trying to cross a very busy country road! Geromi helped him cross and placed him at the bottom of the ditch on the other side. Anyway, enjoy the pics. It was fun and hopefully he can go on to live another billion years or so!

Good job Diego...

aka Geromi!!!

First day of Kinder from our Couch...

:(...Poor sick Brenna. This was her giving me a thumbs up when I asked her how she felt. I think NOT. She was really trying to convince me she was fine for school the next day. She isnt really talking so its all knods and hand signals. Her Pedi was nice enough to prescribe her some medicine to curb the puking so maybe we will be good to go for Wednesday(Thanks Betsy for picking it up) .

One more day on the couch sweet B. So so sorry!!!

The day before Kinder...

She missed her preschool graduation why not miss her first day of Kindergarden to another tummy bug! She has been healthy as a horse the entire summer and Saturday started saying her tummy hurt.

Pray this passes fast and she can make her first day of school!!!

Our Hermit Crabs...

Meet Hello Kitty...


Ellie asked Papa if he would bring her "back some crabs next beach trip!" Papa thought that was funny! I dont think Jason or Betsy want their kids to be without, lol!!!

Gage is a look, say "WOW" but dont touch kind of owner.

Brenna holding our "football" crab...

Papa always said that he wanted to buy the kids the loudest toys, the nuttiest presents, etc. Well, I think he did it! Thanks papa and granma the kids love them! I am learning too... :)

Hermit crab, a crustacean distinguished from true crabs by its long, soft, spirally coiled abdomen terminating in an asymmetrically hooked tail. Most hermit crabs protect this vulnerable portion of their bodies by occupying the empty shells of periwinkles, whelks, and other gastropod mollusks. A few find other homes; for example, a species that inhabits the Indian Ocean lives in sections of old bamboo cane. When the hermit crab grows out of one shell it seeks a larger one, fighting for it if challenged. Sea anemones often attach themselves to these shells, obtaining free transportation and scraps of food in return for protecting their hosts. Hermit crabs are common beach scavengers in most parts of the world. Most species are marine, but some tropical forms, such as the robber crab, Birgus latro, are largely terrestrial. This species, the largest hermit crab, generally reaches over 1 ft (30 cm) in length. It becomes increasingly terrestrial and develops heavy armor as it matures into an adult, at which stage it is able to completely discard its adopted shell. With its great pincers the robber crab has been known to crack coconuts, which it obtains by climbing palm trees. Hermit crabs are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Crustacea, order Decapoda.
The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Kinder Meet the Teacher...

What cant see it...


Look closer...

Mrs. Skrovan is our teacher. There are 8 Kinder classes and 19 children in each class. Our teacher is 16 years into teaching and seems to just be so so sweet. She got down on her knees and just greeted each child with the softest of voices. She told Brenna its so nice to met you and sweet Brenna said "its so nice to meet you too!" Of course after Brenna introduced herself Gage jumped in front of her and said "Hi, Im Gagey!" We are going to have to teach him his real name someday!!!

T-minus 3 days and counting...

Sleeping Babies...

Barely fits in his crib...

A tired princess after a hard day in the castle...

I just love sleeping baby pics. Even if they arent babies anymore (by defination that is).

They will always be our babies...

Gage's Bribe for Naptime...

With preschool looming for Gage we decided to focus on the fun stuff. Since Gage has never been in any care other than his very occasional sitter Priscilla we are trying to get him amped up for school. For meet the teacher night 8/27 we were told to bring a mat, pillow and blanket.

We let Gage choose and here is the winner!!!

Did you really think there would be a picture with just Gage???

Kelly/Mark Wedding Shower...

8/15/09...hosted by her BFF's Nannette and Becca...

This was taken in Central Park right after they got engaged last December...



Our contribution to the gift table...

Kelly and Nannette, dont know how we missed Becca in this pic...

Brenna helping Aunt Kelly open her presents...

The men went outside for the present portion of the party. Stephen-L one of Marks BFF's, next Mark, our Geromi and Marks BIL on the right.

What a great fun party. To keep with the Italy theme the girls stuffed us with wine, pasta and cheesecake and just an overall nice grown-up time. Thanks Nan and Bec it was GREAT!!!

Rain...

Through my windshield. 8/9/09 @ 6:10pm...

...and after a beautiful rainbow. I saw three on the way to work.

For everyone in Texas...

Rain-
Main Entry: 1rain
Pronunciation: \ˈrān\
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English reyn, from Old English regn, rēn; akin to Old High German regan rain
Date: before 12th century
1 a : water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere b : the descent of this water c : water that has fallen as rain : rainwater2 a : a fall of rain : rainstorm b plural : the rainy season3 : rainy weather4 : a heavy fall

Fire in Driftwood...

Specifically right next freaking door to our subdivision...







Scarey, scarey, scarey...This is from our picture window...


Betsy took this out her front door...




Jason Marko dropped the kiddos off here and went to help fight the fire! Geromi left work and "flew" home to help with the efforts too. Great job men!




Life flight...they circled for a bit and then landed on Jas and Betsys front lawn of the rental. They are renting a ranch house while they build and it is on the immediate left of our subdivision. The fire started across the road and eventually jumped it a bit further down.


Our ground zero. Look at all the efforts to put out the fire. They were awesome! It took Austin, Dripping Springs, San Marcos, Wimberley and all the volunteer crews to get this monster out.

It was so bad we packed our bags. :(

8/3/09...Counting Crows...

Counting Crows Girls Night Out Concert...

Augustana...

The two groups performed the show all together at times, it gave the show great energy!!! You never knew who was up next or who was singing what song. I loved the "circus" way they performed.

Did I tell you I love this band???

All on stage once again for the BIG ending!!!

US...LOVE US!!! What a GREAT night out!!!