Cole 3rd Birthday

With Gustav out in the Gulf we had to be a little flexible and change plans. So we decided to take Cole and Samantha to NASA to spend the day playing like astronauts. Cole turns everything these days into a rocket and makes it fly around, so it seemed like a perfect fit. We had a wonderful time playing and seeing all the "rocket ships." Cole loved it. He walked around saying, "Look Mommy look, rocket ship!" or "Cool!!!" He even walked up to one and hugged it.

Cole driving a spacecraft. He got so excited when he realized that he could use the joist stick to make it move around.

Cole and Samantha waiting to watch the I-Max movie "Becoming an Astronaut."

Samantha told me that she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up, but we are going to start with being an astronaut for Halloween.

Cole and his new "rocket ship." This picture was outside of the space museum. In the I-Max movie we watched a space shuttle take off. He was trying to recreate it using this tree.

Bethany and Brad were kind enough to have us over for dinner. We brought the cake. As soon as we put the cake in front of Cole, he blew out the candles. So here we are trying it again.

This time Cole waited patiently... well as patient as any 3 year old... to blow out his candles. This time we were able to sing "Happy Birthday" to him before he blew the candles out.

Can someone please give my baby a fork?!?!?!?!?!

Thank you Samantha. You are a good big sister.

As you can tell Harrison really enjoyed the cake!!

First Day of Kindergarten

Samantha has been looking forward to this day all summer... the first day of Kindergarten!!!! She was so excited this morning leaving for school. She walked into her classroom with great confidence. I had to call her back to give me a kiss. For all of you who know this sweet girl know that this was huge for her. I was so proud... no pouting. I got a little choked up walking home, but not as bad as I thought. Seeing her so excited and confident made it easier for me. She is definitely ready for school!

Cole and I walked her to school and went back to get her. She has been looking forward to riding her bike to school. I think it makes her feel like a big kid. When we picked her up she told me it was the best day ever! Does that sounds just like her Gigi or what. The highlight of the day was eating lunch and finally meeting the principal. Apparently it was very important to her. She loves her teacher and classmates. I think it is going to be a great year for her!!! She is growing up so fast! I love you Angel.

First Slumber Party

Friday, Samantha went to her first slumber party. Her friend Erika and her Mom were brave enough to have eight 5 year olds spend the night at their house. Samantha was so excited. She had a wonderful time and now wants to have a slumber party for her 6th birthday. They spent the evening doing crafts, dancing, eating pizza and cake, and watching a movie.

Samantha turns 5!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it is official, Samantha is now 5 years old. She has been waiting for this birthday for the longest time. Saturday night she asked me if she was really 5 because her legs looked the same and she didn't feel any different from the day before. I am not real sure what she expected, but she had a wonderful day. We celebrated with a bowling party with some of her friends. Here she is with her new fish tank!

The first thing she did when she woke up was ask if she could open her birthday presents for us and Honey and Big Daddy.

She told Cole that he could open her birthday cards for her while she opened her presents. He was thrilled....

Nolan, Sam, and Maggie bowling. The kids all looked so cute in their bowling shoes!

Enjoying pizza. The kids were having such a great time bowling that we took a break between the pizza and cake course to bowl some more.

Samantha got to keep the bowling pin in the middle of the table. We had everyone sign it at the end of the party.

Samantha, Maggie, and Nolan had a blast bowling together.

I can't believe my Angel is 5!! I am so excited for her, but she is growing up way to fast!!!!

I think she had a smile on her face just about the entire day.

Nolan and Samantha dancing between sets. Samantha made the first strike of the day.

Cole liked bowling but he enjoyed playing on this bar more.

Big Daddy and Cole played in the arcade. Big Daddy worked the pedal while Cole worked the steering wheel.

Thanks to everyone for making Samantha's day so great. She told me Sunday morning that it was the best birthday anyone ever had. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.... we love you all!

Weekend in Memphis

We had a wonderful long weekend in Memphis. We wanted to go to Memphis one last time before school starts. With Samantha starting kindergarten this fall we are not sure when we will have a chance to visit anytime soon. We got to spend some time with family and celebrate some upcoming birthdays. Saturday night we went to Becki and Jason's for dinner. We had a great time playing and eating some great Memphis BBQ. Samantha ended up spending the night with her cousins Kelly and Jase.

Jason took Sam riding. This is her first time bear-back... no jokes please!

Andrew and Samantha both turn 5 in August. We celebrated with pool party at Gigi's house.

Samantha opening her presents.

Cole got several wonderful presents. His favorite one was this Mickey Mouse balloon.

... and Andrews rocket ship birthday card.

Yes, that is Cole naked! Here is the birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Andrew (5), Samantha (5), and Cole(3).

Thank you to everyone for a wonderful weekend. We miss you all very much and look forward to our next visit.