Tuesday, July 31, 2012

July photos

Little Natasha Rae aint so little anymore!  She is now 10 months- 22 lbs..about 50%in weight.  I could have 10 more Natasha's.  She has been such a fun, good natured baby.  She always wakes up as happy as can be.  She loves to crawl her heart out, play in the toilet, eat dog food, play with the toy kitchen, knock all of Brenna's toys down,take showers but not baths, bite Dad and only Dad, hang onto moms legs, knock the bottles down in the fridge, eat anything but peaches, and study peoples faces.  


 It really has been fun to have 2 girls...they really are best friends already.  Brenna is such a good sister--always taking out small things she has in her mouth and the first to drag her out of the toy room when she is eying Brenna's toys.  Every morning Brenna hops into her crib saying "Sister is here!".  She could sit and play in the crib with her for hours.  They also love to play in the shower together--playing sword fighting with toothbrushes.
 10 month check up!  Brenna let Natasha wear her princess crown so she wouldnt be so sad after her shots.  It worked!

 I love dressing up little girls ;)  I just barely discovered Naarttjie Kids--cutest clothes ever but not too expensive!
 Little tornado!  She pulled all of these toys down in a matter on minutes.  Very very hard for me to keep the house clean anymore.
 Eating lunch with Jace
 We have several parks just yards away from our home.  We love it when its not too hot.  Brenna sporting her boots whenever she can.  Princess sparkle boots...
 Look at these twins!  how can you even tell them apart?!  Jace lives to spend any time with dad..whether golfing, going to his office, or just to get gas.  Glad they have such a close relationship.
 Just started Brenna in dance!  She loves every second being the girly girl that she is.


Everywhere you look, Brenna has her toys set up similar to this.  She loves building horse stables for all her ponies, pets, biscuit, barbies whatever.  She is the most incredible independent toy player I have ever seen.  She can entertain herself ALL day.
Brenna recent obsession has been Biscuit...poor dog.  She dresses her up and takes her everywhere.
Jace copies anything and everything his dad does.  Takes a shower, same cologne or  "stinkum" deodorant or "pits" and hair gel.  Jace invented this hair style called the "Nike spike"- because he thinks its cool to spike it just up front and he wears his Nike shoes.  Jace also eats the same way as Chad--he will eat everything he doesnt love first..like veggies..and saves his favorite thing last.  He is also crazy about any type of prizes you see on the back of cereal boxes or magazines.  If a coupon says enter 5x and you can win an Ipad, you can guarantee he will be on that!  
 Considering getting this chair.....hmmmm
 early morning surprise while waiting for the bus with Jace ;)  it was a good month

Monday, July 23, 2012

Jace starts 1st grade on July 9th

I absolutely love year round school but this is the one bad thing.  He only gets one week off before starting 1st grade!  I cant believe how big he is getting!  Jace loves school and getting to see his friends everyday.  School starts a little later this year, so he gets up and practices his violin and takes a shower all by himself.  He is now reading 30 min a day--fav book Junie B Jones, Dr. Suess, Knights of Right, and reading anything about radioactive spiders.  
 Jace with his new teacher Mrs. Bivens at meet the teacher night
 Jace and best friend Ben Nichols on their 1st day!  Jace is super lucky to have his 2 best friends in his class- Ben and Jack Scheltinga.
Jace, Ben and Tyler Nichols, Brenna.  Brenna left in tears because she really wanted to start school today also.  Jace said his best part of the day was recess because 1st graders get to use the monkey bars and play soccer.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Last day of Kindergarten/ 4th of July in TN!

 Can't believe my baby has officially finished kindergarten.  Jace said he wants to be a "dentist" when he grows up.
Check out Jace's dance moves while the class showed off their songs to the parents
 Jace also was awarded the Music Award for Kindergarten.  Mom(and maybe Dad) was so proud!
Beach Day!  Brenna got to play Kindergartner for the day.  Jace was really sweet to watch out for her the whole time.
So I guess sportin a baby sister makes you "cool" with the guys
Right after his last day, we hit the road to Knoxville to see our favorite cousins!  We also wanted to be there to support sweet Ava on her birthday and her baptism day!  Hope to post a video of Jace and Ava singing at the baptism soon.
Typical!!
The birthday girl!  Ava is the sweetest girl you'll ever meet.  She was so cute to take Brenna under her wing.  I'd catch her reading books to Brenna at night.  All the kids were amazing with Natasha...especially Clayton.  Wish we lived closer ;(
Brenna just followed Ava everywhere--they got all dressed up for a movie date.  Painted nails and all
4th of July parade!


Wonderful night of fireworks on the golf course.  Such a great trip- nothing better than family.  Thank you Heather and Kyle for allowing the craziness.
Speaking of Heather...you all HAVE to check out her fashion blog
www.perpetuitystyle.blogspot.com---- I also have her button to the right you can click on
She is like your worst nightmare for a sister in law--- gorgeous, perfect figure, super stylish...you just want to hate her!  Too bad she awesome and I totally adore her.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Louve, NYC, and home at last!

 Our last morning in Europe!  We only had about an hour to quickly go through the Louve.  I thought that would be fine since we aren't super big into museums.  Big mistake!  The Louve was incredible, overwhelming, crowded but worth spending at least a whole day in.  Next time!


 The Louve used to be a palace before it became one of the most famous museums in the world.
 One of my fav paintings

 Miss Mona herself
 Jason Bourne hotel I guess?  Chad made me take a pic in front of it since its his fav movie of all time
 We spent a day in New York on our way home.  Probably not the best decision since we were so tired of walking, food, and people.  New York seemed so nasty after Paris.  Paris ruined a lot of cool cities for me.  Nothing compares.
 Beautiful day in central park--- we were overjoyed to be able to read every sign and talk to the cab drivers.

 We got to eat with my beautiful cousin Niki and her boyfriend- what a cute couple!  Chad and dad weren't thrilled with the fact that they had to walk through the gay section of the city. I told them just to hold hands and close their eyes.
 such a small world--we ran into my old choir director Mrs. Webster and her daughter Emily.  The last time I was in New York with them was when we were performing at Carnegie Hall.
 Mom treated me to Mary Poppins for my birthday.  What an incredible show despite being sooo tired.  Nothing beats Broadway in New York.   Its also a blast to walk through Time Square at midnight when there are still a million people out.
 Home at last!!  Natasha took one look and Chad and I and started crying.  She was so scared of us and the excitement.  I thought I ruined her for life but she warmed up to me in a few days.  Chads sister Brittany came down with her cute little boy but had to leave right when we were arriving.
 The kids had a wonderful Fathers day surprise waiting for dad!
 All the little presents we brought home for the kiddos-- cuckoo clock, tray, music box, whistle, army knife, unicorn jewelry box, christmas ornament for Switzerland and knife letter opener, unicorn, candy, Paris plates from France.  I kept all the chocolate for myself.
None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Chad's mother Sandi coming down to watch the kids for 2 weeks.  She is a true angel on earth and I feel so lucky that my kids had the opportunity to learn and play with her.  Thank you Grandma Sandi!!!!


Highlights of the trip:
1.  Riding up the train into Wengen and our view from our hotel
2.  5 course dinners in Wengen
3.  Chocolate and pastries in Paris
4.  Biking around Versaille
5.  Roaming the streets on the Left Bank
6.  perfect weather
7.  great memories with mom, dad, shanny, dee and reed