First Day of Kindergarten

Avery walking into her new school on her 1st Day of Kindergarten


Avery with her teacher Mrs. Flath

The first day of school for Avery was a casual, open house kind of day. We arrived met her Teacher, Mrs Flath and several of her classmates. She found her desk and put her supplies away. Avery played with her classmates while Mama filled out several parent forms. Avery completed a coloring sheet and then Mama took her on a scavenger hunt to find the bathrooms, playground area, main office (met the principal), gym, lunch room commons, library and the music room. Avery was very excited to have a NORMAL school day at Kindergarten and take the BIG YELLOW bus.....

Mama was on an emotional roller coaster during these BIG days. Its amazing how you go from having her around 95% on the time then she is gone for 8 + hrs a day. I am SO proud of my daughter, she is glowing with happiness after a day of school. She is extremely tired at night and wakes up at 7 am sharp every morning. She even asked "why we can't go 6 days?" (documented) Really?? We have our Parent/Teacher conferences in October and will let you know how she is doing....,but according to Mrs Flath at curriculum night, "Avery is a real Delight" :)

A Natale-ism....

A CLOSE-UP of our silly Little Lady!!

Natale was getting dressed today, and needed to pause to pull her undies out of her butt. And this is what she said to her Papa before she put anything else on.... "Hold On a minute Papa, my undies are teasing me"

Is that not the FUNNIEST, Cutest thing you have ever heard?
Joe and I got a REALLY GOOD laugh from it....just had too share (I know its been awhile)

Marriage of Jake & Darci Smulkowski

What comes around goes around......

One of our best friends, Jake Smulkowski married Joe and I in November 2004. When we found out Jake was going to marry Darci, we were SO thrilled for him. In June 2009, our family vacation to Sun Mountain Lodge in Kellogg, Idaho also included a visit with our Reverend and his fiance. During our visit, I started asking questions about the wedding, where, when, location and other important details that were in their plans. Darci then shared that Jake intended Joe to marry them just like He marry us. I almost cried.

July 2010.....We had planned for several weeks for our trip to Hayden ID. to be without kids. We headed over on Thursday morning to make it to the rehearsal by 5pm in Deer Park. We had a great weekend celebrating our Friend's Big day. Joe and I stayed with Jake at his place and I had a great time hanging with the groom, best man and officiant....GOOD TIMES! :)
It was great to meet Jake's mom and dad. Renee and I had never met, but you would have never known. It was nice to have conversations with adults and not have little ones interrupting you. I was included in a Bridal Tea for Darci and got to know many of her girlfriends and her lovely family. Thank you for including us like family!!

The BIG DAY.....July 17th 2010

The Princes with the newly married Smulkowski's. Jake and Darci got married at a Beautiful farm in Deer Park, WA just North of Spokane.

Joe as the Officiant and the Groom waiting for his Bride....

Here comes the Bride....

Darci looked SO Pretty!

the hand-off

And then....They're MARRIED!!

Joe did a GREAT job as the Officiant. He received several comments of approval. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and watched them cut the cake. We headed out a bit early to start our trip home. We missed our babies and were tired from the FUN-filled weekend.

We are SO very happy for Jake and Darci!! Congratulations!! We Love you!!

And a BIG Thank you to Gram and Gramps for taking the girls and Henry for the first few days....and another Big Thanks goes to GG for having the girls the last part of the weekend and for Auntie Krissy for being there too with a brand new baby!! Thanks for your help & WE LOVE YOU!!

Meeting our NEW BABY COUSIN!!!

Grandma Gail picked the girls up and headed to Auntie's to meet the newest family member. Big sister Danielle, had given us a "head ups" that her new sister was "very crabby"
The girls really nervous at first, but each took a turn. Avery got barfed on, by little Miss Izzy, and took it like a trooper, no crying just big wide eyes and a bath. I told her that "Babies only puke on the ones they LOVE" :)
GG with her oldest and youngest grand-daughters

Sweet Avery with Izzy

SO SWEET........

I LOVE this ONE......so INNOCENT!!!

Natale is studying Izzy for signs of crabbiness....

Avery and Natale can't wait to PLAY with YOU!!! We LOVE YOU so MUCH!!

Isabelle Kate

Meet our new COUSIN Isabelle Kate

Born on July 14, 2010 @ 7:31 am (due date 7/8/10 6 days late)

She weighed 8 lbs 12 ounces and was 21 inches long

Healthy crier!!

Auntie Krissy holding her new baby girl...

close-up of Izzie Kate....too sweet!!

And its Auntie Kimmy turn......holding Miss Isa boo!!

Congratulations Krissy and Grant and BIG High 5's to new Big Sister Danielle!!

Welcome to the Family!!

Henry

OK....We caved in! We took one of the puppies from Gram and Gramps, home with us. Henry has been a great addition to our home and the girls are in LOVE. Henry LOVES to play with them and anything you can throw. He has a silly under bite that is super funny. The training is going OK, but he still has accidents in the house. Here are some photos of Henry...

Henry or HAP

Found a bath toy the girls had in the backyard....he is SUPER playful!!

Getting caught chewing on something that he shouldn't be.....BUT HE SOOO CUTE!!

First night home playing with his ball....we brought him home at 6 weeks.

We LOVE our Henry!! And He LOVES US and Patton of course!! :)

Graduation from Pre-K

Avery graduated from PRE-K!! At the Spring program the kids sang several of their songs. The teachers then called the kids out for their certificate. It was precious!! Ms Amy and Ms Kayla are fantastic teachers and we are looking forward to sending Natale to Lake Country Preschool next year.
The kiddos singing. Avery is behind the microphone.



Singing their little hearts out.....SO CUTE

Our BIG girl receiving her Pre-K diploma........SO PROUD!!

Thank you again Ms Amy and Ms Kayla. We as parents got a treat...the teachers made each child a scrapbook from the school year with pictures of the special events and some of her art. So incredible thoughtful and great....Thank YOU!!!