HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS

Once the Halloween decorations come out it seems like an endless parade of decorating.  I am thankful it starts with Halloween and ends with Christmas.

Grayer wanted to "help" this year...not sure how much "help" this was.

AZ also thought the pumpkin on your head was helpful.

This is Barney and Baxter, they spent the weekend with us as we decorated.

His favorite place.  I find Gray like this a least once a week.  It doesn't look very comfortable to me, but what do I know.

SCHOOL YEAR HERE WE COME

Dade is now a 1st Grader.

We went to Meet the Teach for the first time, since last year we home-schooled.  He had a great time seeing and meeting friends.  He was very excited for the first day to "finally" come around.

See!!!  Very excited.

Aislyn was equally excited.  We have been part of a co-op preschool for years, so this was her first year to go to "school".

She is following in her brothers silly foot prints.

Now, Grayer wants to join everyone at school.  Don't worry little one...it's coming, faster than you think.

FISHING FAMILY

The weekend before Dade went back to school we decided to try and fit in as much as possible.  Somehow, even though you seem to be always going and playing...there are still so many things you wish you could have done over the summer.  At least this time we finally got fishing in.

Dade got a fishing pole for his birthday a few years ago and has only used it a few times.  So after lots and lots of begging...

Grayer thought the fishing was taking too long, so he and I played at the playground near by.

Aislyn was all over it.  She loves anything that let's her touch slimmy, yucky, things.  

Yep, that's a worm.  I could understand holding a fish you just caught, but the worm...seriously. 

Seriously blessed.

Dade - showing me one of his catches.

Yes, Grayer and I...still at the playground.

2012 SUMMER OLYMPICS

I'm not really talking about the London Olympics.  I'm talking about the Pillow Olympics.

Since the TV was on for virtually two weeks straight.  The kids got to watch and even elected to "compete" in a few Olympic Games.

I still can't tell you if the idea was to step on each pillow or jump over each pillow.

I'm pretty sure the rules changed...several times.

Dade and Aislyn attended an "Olympic" themed summer camp.  Grayer might have felt a little left out.  If you look closely you will see Aislyn's name on the medal.

Precious.

She always comes up with the best ideas and then she is more than willing to "help" everyone share in the idea.

This is what Dade was doing during dress up time.  He is getting so big.

OVER THE SUMMER...

we played, played, played.  Here are a few examples.

Grayer playing dress up.

AZ playing dress up...superhero style.

This boy wore these lovelies almost everyday for about a week. 

Did you know that bike helmets aren't just for outside fun?

Oh okay, so I know that this picture could be better of Dade, but look at Gray's face...could he be more proud of himself?

And yes, those are Grayer's shorts that fell off his body.

Dirty, Dirty Boy!!!

Dirty, Dirty Boy!!!

Let me introduce you to the Leaf Club.  While at playgroup the girls (and Grayer) decided to create the Leaf Club.  I'm not sure all that's involved but I did overhear something about rolly-pollies, ants and that one doesn't go there.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Flower Mound Independence Fest has become a family favorite.  The kids ask about it for weeks.  Basically as soon as they know that the 4th is coming up...I get the question...are we going to jump on the bounce houses?

Aislyn was fearless.

Dade ran into a friend from Kindergarten and after that is was hard to keep an eye on him.

Grayer...oh, Grayer.  This kid will do anything.  He melts me, just melts me.

See you next year Freedom Fest.

CLOVE FAMILY REUNION 2012

This is one of those times that you realize you must have been having too much fun to stop and take pictures, because truth be told I thought I would have had more pictures to post from my family reunion.

We were able to stay here in Texas this summer as my family traveled out here for the reunion.

Here are the kids with some of their cousins at Natural Bridge Cavern. 

They can always find something to do, even here while we waited for everyone to arrive.

Yes, that is the biggest, most  frightening grasshopper I have ever seen. 

Notice the hand for the size comparison.

This "natural bridge" was so beautiful.  I love going and seeing places like this.  It's a visual reminder of how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

The best part...getting a cute shot of my family. Second best part...the cool temperature in the cavern.

Our vacation was filled with swimming, eating, and a little down time.  The kids decided they were a little too cool, so they built this pillow fort to help warm themselves up.

San Antonio Riverwalk.  We took the kids on a boat tour and then grabbed some bbq for lunch.

All in all...a wonderful trip.