Cole's Birthday Party

This post is about a month late, but I need to start somewhere and this was a FUN day!

We had a birthday party for Cole with 8 of his friends. It was a helicopter themed party, and everyone had a great time.

We decorated helicopter shaped cookies...
Played out side and had a helicopter shaped pinata.Had a landing pad cake with cupcakes...

Opened presents...

and everyone left with a light up helicopter party favor...Thank goodness my mom was here to help. We had landing pads on all of the tables and there were cardboard helicopters flying overhead.

A great time was had by all...

Love and miss you all. Hope to hear from you soon...

Rain (finally)

We don't get much rain here in central Texas, so Kate jumped (literally) at the chance to finally wear her froggy rain boots and splash around. She has been waiting so long for it to rain enough to make puddles AND not be lightening. Here are some pictures from the fun.

Kate was running and squeeling with excitement!Trying to get daddy back...

Kate finally got Cole to go out with her. He wasn't too sure at first. (This is my favorite picture)

He's watching, learning, trying to figure this out...He's got it. Fun times...Now we just need it to rain again so we can go out and play some more.

Back Again?

Well, I said I was back and I had all intention of being the good little blogger and sending updates at the VERY least weekly and alas I have failed. Life has once again gotten in the way of sharing our life with all of our friends and loved ones.

So....

Let's try again.

I have so many AWESOME pictures and events from the summer I want to share, but I am going to stat with the present. It's BACK TO SCHOOL time! Woo Hoo!

Kate has started Pre-K and Cole is in a Mother's Day Out program 2 days a week (that translates to 6 hours a week for me). They are both at the same school Kate attended last year.

Kate's first day of school. She was really excited! As we were walking into meet her teacher she looked up to me an said (with a HUGE smile and bright eyes) "I am so excited! It is a red letter day!" What an amazing phrase for a 4 year old to use. I love it!Cole started school the next day. He wasn't quite as excited as Kate to go to school, but he was really excited about the motorcycle on his new shirt!Kate's 2nd day and Cole's 1st day.Outside the school. Cole is looking a bit nervous...Such a big girl...

OK, so now that the kids are back in school I will promise to do my best at updating the blog and adding pictures. And, as I mentioned before, I have so many great moments from the summer that I want to share. Please add comments (or just email me if you don't want to log in)so I know someone out there is looking.

Love and miss you all!

Kate's new bike

We finally upgraded Kate from her tiny tricycle to a "big girl bike". Unfortunately we do not have sidewalks in our neighborhood, so if she is to ride the bike outside of the garage we need to be right there to protect her from herself (and traffic). She LOVES the bike so much!

Here are a few pictures from a trip to the elementary school so she could ride around. Taking a break.I think we will make more trips once the weather cools down, but until then she might have to be content with the ("too small") garage...

I'm back...

Well, we have certainly kept busy since Oliver got home from Iraq. Almost 3 weeks on vacation and TONS of activities. I think we will finally start to settle down. This means I can finally start updating everyone on all that is going on with the Street Fam.

I have so many GREAT pictures from over the summer I would like to share! I am going to start out slow while I am getting everything organized.

Here are just a few from the pool at Grandmama and Grandaddy's house. Both kids became little fish!

Kate doesn't need her water wings anymore!
Cole doesn't care if he has his on or not. He is Jumping into the water either way!I have so much to share! Check back often!!

Mahayla

Yesterday we had to say to our beloved pug dog Mahayla. It was very sad, but she had been in pain for a while. The kids and I went to the veterinarian to say good-bye then Oliver stayed and "helped Mahayla get to heaven" (Kate's words) Mahayla was 17 years old. She will be missed!

Up!

Last week we took BOTH kiddo's to the movie theatre to see the movie "Up". It was a matinee in the middle of the week, so there were only 2 other families in there. Kate of course LOVED the whole experience. Cole was great until he had had enough popcorn and wanted to explore. Cole and I had to go in the hall for about 15 minutes in the middle to run off some energy, but saw the majority of the movie.

Kate and Daddy before the movie started.Watching the previews... Cole standing but still watching. We will have to go out in the hall soon.All in all it was a lot of fun and Cole did pretty well for a 1 year old. He was a bit active, but stayed pretty quiet except for the occasional exclamation of "BLOON!!" (balloon) as he pointed at the screen.

Kate's first recital

Kate had her first recital yesterday. She had to be there by 10:30 am and we left at 8pm. It was a LONG day, but Kate LOVED it! There were 2 shows, and Kate was in both of them. The first one she just had tumbling, and the second one she did all of her dances. Kate did a great job, and was so excited to be on the BIG stage and have "a lot of audience" watch her (she definitely did not get that from me!)

Kate and Emily getting ready for the tumbling show...The finale of the first show...

Jazz...My little ballerina..."You Are My Sunshine" for tap...Tap...The finale of the second show...

After the show. A tired Kate with Daddy and her pretty flowers. Today Kate told me that she wants to do it AGAIN!! Thank goodness there is a whole year before we do it again!

Welcome Home Daddy!

We got the phone call on Sunday that Oliver would be home at 3:30 (or should I say 1530) on Monday. So we showed up at Cameron Field in front of the 4th ID headquarters at 3:30 to wait for the buses to bring our loved one back to us.

Oliver is Home! Here are a bunch of pictures from the homecoming.

Walking to the field...

Kate and Cole waiting... and waiting...and waiting...we are still waiting... Here come the buses!!! Fire trucks were spraying water. They drove the buses under it. They parked all of the buses in front of the field then all of the soldiers lined up behind the buses. In the last picture on this group you can see all the boots under the bus...

"When are they going to MOVE the buses?"
The buses finally moved... Then all the soldiers marched forward. There was a little talking then they were told to "Find Your Families!"

The kids greeting Daddy.We are all together again! The banner at home...
I plan on continuing to do this blog, but it would be GREAT if some of you could sign up so you could leave comments. I would LOVE to hear every one's thoughts...

Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers over the past year. It's OVER! Yay!