first day of school 2015: Kindergarten and 1st

Both at Forest Park!!

I woke them both up a little before 7am. They both hopped up happy and so ready to go.

 (That won't last long.)

We were worried about Charlie having a hard first few days, because he usually doesn't like being in unfamiliar places without us close by. Been praying about it for awhile. AND HE DID SO WELL! Hopped right down the hallway and entered the room without any help from us. So brave. And we are so thankful.

She lost another  bottom tooth a few days ago. Her two top ones are loose now.

kindergarten!!!

I'll say this every year, I'm sure, but I really really want to stay at the school with them. I want to chant the poems in unison,  have calendar time, go to the library and PE, have art, play with friends at recess... the whole deal.

i'll be thinking about them all day :)))

Our beach trip... along side 47 of our family and friends

Lots of priceless moments for our family. 

We started out in Watercolor on 30A with our friends the Taylors and one trusty babysitter

6+5+1= 12 people the first week

I still can't get over how crystal clear the water was

The next week, we met my mom and her family at a beach house in Gulf Shores. 

25 adults + 5 teenagers + 6 kids + 3 (!!!) two year olds + 2 babies = 41 humans in one gigantic 3 story house

each couple was paired up with another couple to make dinner for the whole group. lauren and andrew paired up with us and we (isaac mostly) made ribs and salad, black eyed peas, and mac n cheese.

a major tradition. lots of card playing. spades and 'golf'

the family crab hunting while i was on the back deck

1. 

thankfully, there were two kitchens and a million bathrooms

we took our four kiddos to alligator alley, about 20 mins away from the house. charlie has been gator obsessed lately. he did NOT want to leave. very fun, so we plan to go back

cherishing these memories and the quality time we shared

and very happy to be home