FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

The First Day of School!

This year Dylan started 4th grade, and Desiree took her first steps into Big School - Kindergarden. Dakota Grace wasn't left behind, no, she was off to pre-school too!

Dylan is all decked out in his "cool" clothes and the one-strap backpack he was determined to find. He looks just like Robert here, and about the same age that him and Katie met. Isn't that wild?!
Desiree, not short of a pose, even early in the morning.

Boys here she comes. Daddy, get ready! Ha!
Dakota Grace, pleasant with a smile this morning, big apple cheeks and all decked out in her purple poka dots.

Some photos of Desi's first Day.

At her desk, all settled in.

With her Teacher, Mrs. Jackson, who Katie went to school with.

Sitting next to Avery Granberry. Cousin really.

And lives just down the street. So cool that they get to be in the same class.

Everyones first day went well. No homework yet, but hey it is the first day and all.

Dakota Grace turns 3!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOTA GRACE!
Dakota turned 3 on August 28th. She has made great leaps of change this year. She has finally started to talk up a storm. Cuttest voice ever too. She loves her big bro and sis. Following and doing everything that they do. Though have no fear, her independant self that has made her her is still alive and kicking. If she doesn't want to, she aint gonna! And as stubborn as she might be, I love her for that. Here are some of the photos we got from her two parties. One on her birthday at Chuckie - Cheese, and the other at mom and dad's.

Singing Happy Birthday on Pappy's lap. I made her a pink Octopus. Desiree and Kota playing one of the games. Loves her big sister. Her Second Birthday party!
Here is her blowing out her candles. Yes she blew out her candels all on her own this year.

All the Girly presents! Dolls, pink things, Princess Tent, and Playdough sets, and lets not forget the Bubbles!

A Good Photo of all Three. Desiree looks 13 here!! My gosh how they grow so fast.

Katie & Dylan. Awe.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

March May-ham!

Okay, so I haven't posted since Feb. Sorry!! We have gone fully live at work with our new client and by the time I get home I am so exhausted I can't move. 12 to 14 hours a day on concrete - not fun for my feet!
I did happen to turn 31 some where amongst it all. Another year as flown by and I feel like I haven't done a darn thing. Starting to think life is going to be gone, before I can find my groove; and some days I think it is already gone. Why is that 31 seems so young on other people, until it is YOU that is 31.
Also... Nana Herndon turned forty years older than I (you do the math - I'm not telling) on the 28th. What a banner year she has had! Totally Beat the crap out of Cancer. I am so proud of her. Faced it like a Champ. I am extremely thankful that they were able to catch it early and fix it all without having to do chemo. Love you Nana!!

Dylan has started Soccer again this year. They have had some changes to their roster this year and have been put in with the 10 year olds - they're all 9! They haven't won a game yet, but next year they will stomp all over those boys - they'll have a ton of defense practice under their belt! LOL.

Desi & Kota are growing like weeds. Kota is finally starting to come out of her shell a little and talk up a storm. Of corse it still depends on her mood, but she is making perfect headway. Desi, my social butterfly, will start school next year and I can already see her being her mother's mini-me. Smart, smart, smart. And a total Cheerleader!

Matthew moved out!! I will get some photos of his new "crib" as soon as I can. (can't believe I haven't done that already) He has taken the big step and moved to an apartment in garland (closer to work) with a close friend Jason. Like all young boys, they are trying to find their balance between work, girls, and a little too much fun!

Hope your March was as busy as ours... Jenn.

HALLOWEEN!

Happy Halloween from all of us to you. How about that, Halloween was great this year! The weather included!! For Texas that is a big feat. Usually this begins our yucky weather. It does make it interesting when your trying to figure out what the kids are dressed as amongst their sweat pants and heavy rain coats. But this year...there was no guessing game, well...you know other than the, "...and what are you dear?" "I am a half dragon, half princess, half pumpkin!" outfits.

We had our very own Ankin Skywalker, Super Girl,

Spider Girl, and Monkey!

Dylan and Dad have had his costume planned since September! I thought they were completely insane for purchasing a costume 2 months in advance. Usually the kids have changed their mind a thousand times by Halloween. Not this year. He was so excited to wear it. (and so were we)
Kora, dressed as a monkey...along with accessories. Earrings! Chelsea didn't want anyone thinking she was a boy. She was sooo cute.

Mom dressed as The Scarecrow!

Brandon and Chelsea came over and joined in the fun as we took the block. Here is the devil and his Vampire woman!

Soooo many kids this year. Not as many doors to knock on, but still a lot of candy. Knock, Knock!

Kora was having fun with her glow sticks, she had a whole hand full of them. I happen to catch this photo while the others ran to the next house.

Dylan liked Kora's photo so much he wanted to do his own. Here is his version with his blue light saber.

One neighbor, around the corner, dressed as a clown and handed out balloon animals to everyone. She was fast, there wasn't much of a line, and trust me there were a ton of kids out. Here are the girls with theirs. Time to check the candy! Katie dumped out the bags going thru each individual piece, a) for opened and bad candy, and b) to make sure there aren't any peanuts for Dakota's stash.

Thank you Lord for the great weather!

Hopefully we will have it again next year!

PUMPKIN EATERS!

A trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

There is a local church who puts on a pumpkin patch down the street from mom & dad's house.
We picked out pumpkins, and then took them back to mom and dads to carve them out. Of course we had to take photos!

Dylan always the poser, kept up the photo action.

Desiree and her pumpkin.

And don't for get Dakota Grace, Smile and all!!

Okay, so we set out to carve pumpkins, but our arms were bigger than our will.

Dad thankfully scrapped out all the pumpkins for us. But for what started out as a simple pumpkin carving, quickly turned into a "Kids, don't do this at home", special!

Dylan wanted to be the first open the pumpkins, and in antesipation, I knew what was coming next....

Thankfully the camera Gods warned me, and this was a result of smelling the pumpkin. MY FAVORITE PHOTO!! I still can't quit laughing. So funny! Of course sis had to follow suit... Desi helped mom carve their pumpkin, a scarey Spider. Katie and Dylan carved their's too. Though poking all the holes seemed to get everyones fingers. This was Jacob's first attempt at "Carving" a pumpkin. No triangles here.... Our Mad Scientist! A look inside maybe? Didn't we already prove that it stinks? Desi, taking a moment to pose with Mom's new puppy. After a couple hours of complaining, and a small amount of injury, we completed them all...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Mom & Matthew's Birthday Dinner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mom & Matthew!

Mom and Matthews birthdays are like a week apart, so celebrating them together is pretty natural.
Matthew turned 22!! I know I can't believe it either.
and Mom, well we'll just say 50 something.
We enjoyed dinner and cake at Nana & Papa Herndons (Mom's parents)
Time for presents! Mom got perfume & jewelry. The staples for women.
Matthew got money...that's all he asked for.

Right before cake, Dakota Grace and I had a mini photo shoot. This is my favorite, and will be one of my all time favorites for a long time. I call her rabbit, those to bottom teeth, and the scrunched up nose...I am sure you see.

Then came the cake, and it was all over.

Dylan slept thru almost all of it. Soccer is wearing him out, it seems.

Sabrinia was all excited to see the kids though.

She is N & P's soccer goaly! Trust me, you have never seen a dog play ball like her.

On Tuesday, Jacob and I took Mom and Dad out to dinner for mom's birthday.

So this is her actual B-day Photo.

For her Birthday, Mom got a new baby...

a beautiful dapple dachshund.

She has named her Cami - because she looks like she is camouflaged.