Shayla doing her thing!!! Shayla does competitive cheerleading. Her squad had their first competition of the year and did awesome. I am amazed at what they do and how well they all get along. Enjoy some action shots taken by another parent. I tried to video tape and it didn't go so well. 25 kids working together to do wonderful things.

First Day of School 2012 and Summer Wrap up

First day of school is off to a great start. We got in bed on time and out the door and to school with out a problem. Nathan is enter 5th grade. I can't believe it is his last year at ELE. Next year is middle school. My baby is growing up so fast.

 

This summer Nathan went to two over night camps all on his own. First was church camp. He had a great time and managed to stay in the same clothes for four days straight. I kept getting updates and each time he had on the same clothes. That aside he did great and had a wonderful time. A few weeks later he went to Webleo camp with our pack. This is his last year in cub scouts he will move up to boy scouts later this year. He spent the rest of the summer playing video games going to a few more day camps. Harry Potter day camp was his favorite. We went to Oklahoma and had a great time with my parents and Uncle John. One of his favorite times was visiting the aquarium and taking many pictures and videos on my phone. His favorite animal was the beaver pictured above.

Shayla also had a fun summer. She went to church camp with three of her buddies from church. They had a great time. She still loves to dress up and any day she is home she will be in some for of dress up clothes complete with make-up. She got her hair cut and braces this summer. Most of her time was spent at the gym practice cheerleading and tumbling. She did her full on the floor for the first time this summer. Her squad had a couple of different camps and she also has fun with her friends at the gym.

We had a fun summer and I will try and get more pictures up later.

Happy Easter!

Shayla with her buddy.

Nathan loved feeding the giraffes.

Happy Easter!

We've had a busy and fun February and March. Nathan moved from Webelo I to Webelo II. This is his last year as a Cub Scout. Shayla and I had a Mother Daughter Tea with our church family. She loved it! Cheerleading took us to Columbia, SC, Nashville, TN and Myrtle Beach. Shayla's team did a great job and she continues to progress and love cheering. Boy Scouts took us back to Columbia to spend the night at the zoo. We all had a great time and it was not only educational but very fun. The last weekend of April we spent at the beach for a cheer competition. We rode and stayed with the Pierlott crew. The picture at the beach is Gracie, Max, Mike, Nathan and Shayla getting ready to hit the waves. Last night before Easter we dyed our eggs and are ready for the Easter Bunny to pay us a visit.

I miss seeing everyone this Easter. I hope we can make it home sometime soon. Now that the crazy traveling and trips are over I hope to spend more time talking with all of you on the phone and hopefully planning a trip for the summer.

Julie

Merry Christmas!

Last night we were getting ready for bed. Both kids were so excited. We read "The Night Before Christmas" and then the store of Jesus' Birth from Luke. We prayed for our family which we miss so much and wish we were with this year. Nana, Papa and Uncle John we really miss you and wish we could have made it home. I hope you know how much we love you and hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Both the kids said good bye to Buddy and his new friend (Shayla got him as a gift at her dance class.) They were both very sorry that Buddy was leaving but hoped he has a good time at his home until next year.

The stockings were hung and we were ready for bed!

This morning was met with wonder and excitement. Such a blessed time for me to see their excitement and joy.

 I was very surprised at how excited Rudy was. He was jumping and playing with his new toy. The kids got a kick at how happy he was. Below even our cat C.J. was excited about his new toy. C.J. wasn't sure what to do with a toy but he's been playing with it most of the morning.

 Both kids approved of their presents and were very happy. They have not stopped playing all morning. I think they be busy for awhile. We all feel very blessed but really miss our family this year.

I think this was Shayla's favorite present. She played with it first. Thank you Lisa for letting me know about this. She loves it. And also thank you for my presents. The kids were so excited for me to open them.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Actually these are from Christmas Eve Eve! I hope we've started a Christmas tradition to visit the Billy Graham Library before Christmas each year. The kids had a great time and really enjoyed the Library. We arrived just before it got really crowded and none of the Christmas activities had started. When we finished the live Nativity was going and the kids were so excited.

After we had dinner and Christmas with our close friends. The kids had a great time and are so excited for today and tomorrow.

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Happy Birthday Shayla

Shayla turned 8 years old today. It was a wild and crazy day and we didn't have much  time to celebrate. Hopefully we will have a party in a couple of weeks. I am so blessed and thankful to be her mom. I hope she has a great year being eight! More details of her special day at another time. This momma is tired!!!

2010 Pictures

I never seem to have time to post pictures these days. Today I had the day off and one of our activities was cancelled so I thought it would be a good idea to post some of our 2010 pictures that never made the blog.

The first collage is from our trip to Myrtle Beach for Shayla's cheerleading competition. Her team had a great season and they again went out and hit two great routines. The next best part of the weekend was the beach. It was a little cold but they didn't mind. You can tell from the smiles on their faces that it didn't matter what the temperature was.

Easter 2010

Every year we have an indoor "Golden Egg Hunt." I (Easter Bunny Helper) hide clues all over the house and they have a great time finding eggs and finish up with the Golden Egg. This year we did everything around the Easter Story and it turned out great. This is the second year we got to have an Easter Egg hunt outside with Nathan's best friend. It was a great day and I am very Thankful to God for blessing us and for allowing us to share in His Son's Sacrifice and Resurrection Day.

 This summer was very low key. We spent time at the "Y" swimming and hanging out at home. Shayla fractured her ankle in June and we had to keep her off of it for six weeks. She is all better now but it was a long six weeks trying to keep her from jumping and tumbling around. Nathan's Cub Scout Pack had an awesome family camping trip and later in the summer a rocket launch. We really enjoy our great Pack and Scouting family. On the 4th we had dinner with friends and Nathan went downtown with them to watch the fireworks. Shayla and I spent the evening at home. Shayla is still not very fond of the loud booms and at the time could not walk on her ankle. We had some "Pet Friendly" fireworks we shot off and then turned in early.

This is a collection of pictures from Shayla's cheerleading career. She started cheering when she was four years old. She is now in her fourth year and really enjoys spending time with friends and tumbling all over the place.