Getting You All Caught Up {Super Deluxe Edition}

I've become such a bad blogger lately.  I'm really going to try to do a better job.  So, here's what we've been up too.  Miss Natalie came to town for a visit or two.  My little ladies love her.  You can feel it in this picture!

Early morning practices sometimes look like this.....hair in rollers, a mini van stuffed with five kids, a trombone, a baritone, a flute, and mostly smiles.

 Evan reunited with his baritone.  I really enjoy listening to him play.  He got a scholarship for private lessons,  Yay!  Payton will start private lessons at the mid point in the school year after she gets the basics down. She can't wait.

Karsyn is taking on Kindergarten by storm.  She's doing great!  I still miss her like crazy during the day, knowing she's doing so well makes me feel better.

We've went on a Chinese food date or two.

 A few Saturdays ago, the littlest ladies went to a work event with Papa and Nana.  They had a blast!

Earlier that day, Uncle Billy took Evan, Payton, Emily, and Stephen to a comic event at the library.  They got to meet Velma from Scooby Do.  Billy and I used to always call her Janet when we were kids after my aunt. lol.

The girls made lots of crafts.  Evan and Stephen both won a trivia contest. =)

They met Captain America....

 and Spiderman too.

And we can't leave out Wonder Woman.

Payton and Sarah had their first volleyball of the season and won!!!  It was so much fun to watch them play.

Addi and Karsyn went to some friends' birthday party at a cosmic bounce place.  It was so much fun.  Addi wore just the right outfit.

She had a blast!

Karsyn was so excited to see her friends from preschool.  She had to wear her Eiffel Tower shirt.  She really wants to go to Paris.

We've taken a few selfies along the way.  Love my 4!

1, me, and 3.

We went for a walk by the river and stopped for a few fun pictures at a pretty fountain.  Here's our baby bear with a baby bear.

The beautiful big sister of the family.

Adorable Addi.

 And our handsome big guy.

 It was nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air.

Dance started for the girls again.  I didn't get to get a picture of Payton's first day.  It was a busy night for her. She's taking Hip Hop and Jazz. The little ladies have classes on another day of the week.  Miss Addi is starting her 4th year of tap and ballet.

It's Karsyn's 4th year at the studio and 3rd year to be in dance. She is also taking tap and ballet.  

Lastly, we spent some time in the great outdoors with Papa and Nana this weekend.  We grilled out hot dogs and then went hiking.  Five out of six of us love it!

And that gets you all caught up with our little family.

The First Day of School {2016}

The first day of school has come and gone and we are closing in on our second full week of school.  Time is already chugging right along.  This school year brought forth a lot of changes for our little family.  First up, was Miss Payton.  She's a big 6th grader this year.  She's taking on the load of taking all Pre-AP classes.  She's in beginning band and on the 7th grade volleyball team.  She has to be up and at 'em at the gym bright and early each morning ready to play.

We pick up Sarah on the way.  Here are the only two 6th graders on the 7th grade team. =)

About a half hour later, Evan had to be at Junior High.  How can it be that he's in the 8th grade???  He too, is taking all Pre-AP classes.  He's playing the baritone in concert band.  

After we got Evan off to school, it was time to take our littlest ladies off to elementary school.  Miss Addi is now the big sister on campus.  She's in the 2nd grade.  She has the teacher that Evan had and we just love her!

And our Karsyn was off to Kindergarten.

It was so hard for this mama to let her baby girl go, but knowing that she is more than ready really helps.  I couldn't decide which picture that I liked best.  So, here's two. 

Jason and I got the kids off to school and then I had to hustle off to my preschool for open house.  It went great! I'm praying that this school year will be great one.

Wrapping Up Summer 2016

The last few weeks of summer break flew by.  Here's a look at how our summer wrapped us. Despite the circumstances of their visit, it's always great to see my sisters.

Here's me with my brother and sisters..  You can tell from looking at me, that I had a major lack of sleep, but I really love this picture.

 Payton's summer got cut short when she got picked up for the 7th grade volleyball team.  She and Sarah are the only two 6th graders on the team.  Our kiddos have played a lot of sports over the years, but this is the first time we've had a student athlete in the family.  I had no idea the work and dedication it took.  Payton had many two-a-days, sometimes in a heat index well over 100 degrees.  She never complained!  Since school has started, she has to be at the gym an hour before school starts and play all the way to second hour.  I'm so proud of how well she's doing.  She's going to start private lessons soon and plans to play all through the rest of her school career.

Back to school shopping made us super hungry.  My girls love chowing down on Chinese food.  I love this picture of Addi.

 Payton and Karsyn are super silly.

Most summers, we find ourselves praying for rain.  That hasn't been the case this summer.  It's rained almost once a week.  Any reason to wear rain jackets make my littlest ladies happy.

 Our Natalie left for college.  We couldn't send her off without one more trip to our favorite ice cream joint.  We had to have pictures with our incoming Freshmen.  Here's Nana, Nat, and Papa.

 Me and my girl.

Uncle Billy called this picture a college day miracle.  All 7 kids were not only looking, but smiling!!!!!  I love this!  Seriously, I think it must be framed.

Blue eyed girls!

We laughed. We cried.  We ate yummy ice cream.  It was a great night.

We got back to school hair cuts.  Everyone got trims, except for Addi.  She got 6 inches cut off!  

We also cashed in our free custard coupons we got through the summer reading program.

Stephen and Evan had Rookie Camp at Junior High.  Yep, these boys are going to be 8th graders.  They learned the layout of school, got their schedules, and ate pizza.  It was fun.  I guess our guys were a little thirsty. lol!

All of the teachers at our preschool got new back to school room decor, which meant one thing - lots and lots of laminating.  We spent hours cutting.  I had to call for back up.  Payton and Evan both cut things out for almost 2 hours!!!!

Later in the day, we got Payton's sports physical.  There are times when I feel like I have being a mama together.  This appointment reminded me that I don't...not even close.  I think Payton's face says it all.

 We went to Meet the Teacher Night.  There are lots of changes in staff and facilities this year at both schools for the girls.  That meant it was a very hectic night!  Even so, I think it's going to be a great year.

 To wrap up our summer fun, we went skating with church friends.  I don't have any pictures, but we had a great time!  School has started and we are back to the business of being busy at our house.  We are doing our best to stay on top of things and so far, it's working out great. =)