Graduation Day for Daddy

Chris has been working really hard for this day for the last two and a half years. He has done a great job and made straight A's. After lots of hard work and many long hours he has his Masters degree in Family Nurse Practitioner. We are so proud of him!!!

Texas Tech has two ceremonies for the Nursing School graduation. The first ceremony was Monday evening.

The kids ran up to Chris after the ceremony. Kate told him, "Daddy I saw you down there. You were the tallest one!!" He really did stand out above the crowd!

Then everybody had to get a picture with the graduate.

With Aaron's family

With his Dad and Nancy

With Grandmom and Granddad

 With his Mother

Group picture

One more....Debra and Johnnie were taking pictures they switched so both could be in the group shot.

After the first ceremony Monday night we went back to the hotel and had pizza and let the kids swim. Then Johnnie did something wonderful....she took ALL the kids back home with her!!! The first ceremony was really long. The kids all did really good, but we were warned the next one would be an hour longer. We agreed the kids had seen him graduate and the next day would probably be too much. I really started feeling bad when I realized Johnnie was all by herself with EIGHT kids ALL day. She said they all got along well and were really good. I am choosing to believe her. She was such a lifesaver!!!

The next morning ready for the big day.

My favorite picture. He found us in the crowd.

With my parents

After lunch we wanted to get a few pictures on campus.

Will Rodgers statue on the Tech campus.

Kind of far away but we wanted the whole medallion in the pic.

He still has to complete his final class this summer and take his state boards in September. I am so excited for him that this chapter is coming to a close. Chris does such a good job with everything he does. I am confident he will find the perfect job for him. We love you Chris and are super proud of you!!

Field Trip to the Fire Station

Kate was so excited about her first field trip! They got to go to the fire station and then have a picnic at the park. Believe it or not, Kate is my third child and we have never had a field trip to the fire station, so I was even excited about this field trip. 

Kate boarding the bus for her first bus ride.

Her class in front of one of the fire trucks.

Basically, the kids all just climbed all over the fire trucks and had a great time.

Kate with her little friend.

The firemen pulled out there big toy and let the teachers go for a ride. That bucket goes REALLY high in the air!!

Wade just LOVES vehicles and especially trucks, but he refused to get out of his stroller while he was there. I guess all the noise and size of the trucks scared him.

Wade was however ready to get out of the stroller at the park. This was the fun part for him.

Kate's first field trip was lots of fun even for Momma!

Stair Steps

So proud to be Momma to this bunch!! I am so lucky and blessed!!

This picture was harder than it looks to capture. It took lots of candy and a quick snap of the camera. I might have even got mad a few times. Then Luke informed me when I thought I had gotten the picture I was after that he grew for the picture. He is on his tip toes....and looks proud of it too.

Mother Daughter Tea Party

My sister-in-law Johnnie hosted us at her church's Mother Daughter Tea again this year. We all look forward to it every year. It is always such a fun party!! They serve sandwiches, have wonderful entertainment, door prizes, and lots of cakes!! 

The entertainment was top notch this year. Elvis even came to perform for us....we just had to decide which was the real Elvis.

Sydney having fun with her Momma.

Madison and Rachel.

The big girls.

The YMCA performed by The Village Idiots. (Their name not mine)

Wade getting some help with the hand motions from Grandnanna.

Me with my Mom.

Me with my Grandma.

I did not get a picture with my girls or a picture of Lorita. :0( 

Grandma ran into one of her best friends at the party. We thought for sure Grandma would win the award for "Wisest Mother," but her friend Bertha won. She is 97. It turned out okay for Grandma because they had an extra prize incase of a tie. They decided to give it to the second wisest mother, so she got a prize too. Bertha and Grandma were really excited to see each other again. 

They wanted to get a picture together.

I just want to thank Johnnie for inviting us and hosting a table. We had a great time!!!

On Horseback

Yesterday the kids got to ride a horse for the first time. My friend Christie invited us over for the kids to ride. Rachel was so, so, so excited!!! She got to be first! Christie gave the kids a few basic instructions and commands and turned them loose. I was a little nervous, but the horse was so gentle, and the kids did great!!

Luke said he was not going to ride on the way over, but as soon as he got out of the car he wanted a turn.

Kate has always loved horses. She has always been a little scared to pet them, so I did not know if she would ride. She jumped on without hesitation.

All of the kids were naturals on horseback. Rachel now wants a horse of her very own. Too bad our HOA says no way!!!

Christie also has chickens. The kids rushed over when these chicks arrived and got to hold them. Now they are chickens and laying eggs. Luke swears they are the best eggs ever. My kids will eat a dozen of Christie's eggs at one sitting. A dozen total not each.

Luke is Nine Today!!!

Happy Birthday to Lukie!!!

I say this every year and with every kid, but I can't believe how fast the past nine years went!! We are so proud of our big boy!! He is smart, kind, playful, active, and very funny. He can say the funniest things. He keeps us laughing with his quick wit! He also really loves his momma....that gets him lots of bonus points in my book! :0)

Some of Luke's favorites include playing Legos, video games, soccer, dancing, jumping on the trampoline, playing with his friends, riding his bike, roller coasters, swimming, spotting old/classic cars, and being silly. Some of his favorite TV show is Austin & Ally. Luke's favorite foods are fruit, fruit snacks (gummies), steak, cereal, and candy. School is not Luke's favorite, but he likes his teachers and he get A's and B's. Recess is just his favorite part of the day.

We celebrated his birthday by going to Joyland in Lubbock yesterday. It was a beautiful day and the lines were short. The kids rode all the rides they wanted multiple times. He picked dinner at On The Border. He even had a soccer game in the morning which they won...bonus! Sounds like a perfect way to celebrate!! He got an ipod touch and a yo-yo for his birthday.

At nine years old, Luke is 54 1/2 inches tall (77%) and 65 pounds (56%). That is a big difference from the 6 pounds 14 ounces and 18 1/2 inches we welcomed into the world nine years ago!! 

Luke liked having his picture taken this year...maybe even excited about it!! That sure made things easy!! Of course he did get the sillies a few times which always makes me laugh!!

I have seen this look many, many times....

Luke we are so excited to celebrate you today!! You are so special to us and we love you with all our hearts!! Happy Birthday Big Boy!!

Kate's New Smile :0)

Kate lost her first tooth this past Tuesday!! She was so excited!! Well, this was actually tooth number four for Kate, but this one did not get knocked out prematurely. At our last dentist appointment, Dr. Miller told us that she would loose it probably with in a month. He was right...go figure. She really started wiggling it after he told her that. She wanted her teacher to pull it out for her, but she came home with it almost out. So, I got to pull it out!!! I love her new smile!!