First Grade!

Alexa started 1st grade today! Can't believe my little girl has grown up so much. She was so brave and didn't even cry...I had a few tears but not too bad:)

My niece Sydney Elise Gonzalez was born July 14th and we traveled to Columbus to see her. My brother in law Adam was scheduled to fly out to Iraq the day she was born, but thankfully he was left behind and able to see her just a few hrs after she was born. Everyone is doing well and the kids all had turns holding her and as you can see in one of the pictures he isn't happy about having to give up his turn. It was fun to play with a newborn again and see how motherly the girls and even Caleb was to her.

Alexa's Baptism

Sunday June 28th Alexa decided after a couple of months of being saved, it was time for baptism. I was so excited, but a little apprehensive on whether or not she would actually go through with it. Usually though Alexa puts lots of thoughts into her decisions and doesn't back out. She was so excited and wanted to do it in the evening service for some reason. Well it was the Lord's Supper that night, so Pastor decided to open the service with the baptism which I thought was neat and then she would be able to take her first Lord's Supper. So that is what we did! She was so brave and never wavered in her decision. Not to mention all that practicing she had been doing in her pool and bathtub! Bro. Ron did the baptism and she did perfect and we are so very proud our little girl...who isn't so little anymore...sniff...sniff!

Trip to Arkansas to see Nana and Papa

We left to go to my mom and dad's house (Nana and Papa) on June 5th for a visit, and to see my cousin get married. We stayed a week and had a wonderful time visiting with relatives, friends, and my parents. The girls stayed behind on Friday and Santiago, Caleb and I came home. Then mom, dad, and the girls headed to Colorado that Saturday. They took two days to make the long trip to a beautiful ranch in Durango, CO. They stayed at a huge house with my Aunt, Uncle, their grand-daughter and daughter. They went and saw sites, shows, ate wonderful food and shopped. The girls had the most wonderful time. They just got back today (23rd) and are so tired and are now able to crash, but I am so happy they were able to go and have this wonderful experience. I don't have any pics yet from Durango, but when I do I will post.

Alexa's haircut

Alexa decided to cut her long hair and donate it to locks of love. So her teacher came and cut it for us and we sent off 13 inches. She loves her new haircut and how cool it is in this hot weather!

Alexa's K5 Graduation 2009

Alexa had her K5 graduation May 19th and is now officially a 1st grader. They did a program that involved singing, and then a skit about trains. Alexa got to be the stuck up train and she was quite the little actress! Then they did a couple more songs and their class verse. Lastly they marched in and received their diplomas. It was so amusing to see each one of them pose so sweetly as they received their diploma from Mr. Policastro. There was a reception afterwards and they had cake and enjoyed fellowship. She had 20 family members come to see her graduate!

Dance Recital May 2009

Alexa and Molly had their Spring dance recital on May 15, 2009. They dance two dances, one tap and the other ballet. They did so well!! I have never seen them dance so well and stay focused. Their Grandma and Grandpa along with Uncle John, Aunt Katrina and Alexa's teacher Mrs. Cofty and friend April were all there to watch them.
We are so proud of them and all their hard work.

Awana awards 2009

Alexa won Clubber of the Year for Sparks in Awana last night. I am so proud of her! She was so excited and kept saying, "I got a trophy, I never got one of those before!".

Alexa's Field Trip

Alexa's class went on a field trip to the Montgomery Zoo last friday. I got to go and we had a great time learning about animals!

Easter Morning

The kids Easter morning...Molly wasn't going to cooperate, no matter what I did!
Caleb loved the chocolate so much!

Easter Pictures

Here are the kids Easter Pictures. They were a little more cooperative this time!

Dance Pictures

Here is just a couple of pictures of the girls in their costumes for their dance recital coming up in May. I took the kids to get Easter pictures and decided to bring their costumes.

Atlanta trip for Spring Break

We took the kids to Atlanta for a couple of days to see the Aquarium! They had so much fun! We spent the night in Fairburn, GA and spent the day Tuesday at the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-cola. Something funny that Molly said at the aquarium at the Titanic exhibit was after explaining to them about the titanic they were quietly looking and then Molly exclaims, "Well this is sad!". I got so tickled at her awareness of the situation! After the aquarium the girls wanted to go straight back to the hotel so they could go swimming, however Santiago and I wanted to go to the World of Coca-cola, so we told the girls that there would be coke to drink there and somehow they changed their minds SO FAST!! I have to say they definitely enjoyed the tasting room and I had three wound up kiddos! My favorite was the apple kiwi and Birch Beer...however we felt sick after trying many flavors...some very gross!! The girls definitely enjoyed the in-door swimming pool at the hotel too! Caleb is one to be watched...he knows no fear of the water! We had a great much needed family time and now back to real life:)