Halloween

Lots of fun!!  We went trick-or-treating with friends on a trailer with hay that they decorated.  No walking and the kids had a blast!

Check out these turkeys...

Mackenzie's first soccer game

Mackenzie was not too sure about playing soccer, but she did great on Saturday.  There are 6 kids on her team, 3 boys and 3 girls.  I don't think any of them have ever played before but they did great at their first game.  They really got it and scored a lot of goals.  Mackenzie scored the first goal and a couple more later.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of kindergarten for Mackenzie and second grade for Katie.  The drop off for Mackenzie was a little hairy.  She didn't want me to leave.  Her class was pretty crazy and lots of parents were hanging around.  But Mrs. Brown is a pro and I got out of there unscathed. 

Katie was very excited while we walked up to the second floor to her new classroom.  Her classmates were very calm, already sitting at their desks doing work.  Katie's desk is across from her friend Kendall's, so all was right in the world.

They went to extended care after school and I picked them up this afternoon.  When I asked Mackenzie what she did at school, she said "I don't know."  I finally got a few details out of her and Katie.  They both had great first days. 

New backpacks from Kay-Kay!

Mackenzie's 5th

We had a pajama party for Mackenzie on Saturday morning.  Lots of her friends came and they had a great time decorating socks and eating lots of sugar!

All-Stars Softball

After 10 weeks and 48 games (no, that's not a typo), All-Stars is over.  The girls played their little hearts out in the 100 degree weather last week at Nationals in Round Rock.  They played 3 "pool" games and 2 tournament games.  And while they lost their tournament games, they lost both games by only one run.  BUT, they beat their arch-rivals for the first time all year at one of the pool games. 

The girls started off Tuesday with a limo ride to opening ceremonies at The Dell Diamond.  Wednesday was rained out so they played all three of their pool games on Thursday.  Friday, they had the two tournament games.  And Saturday, Katie joined some of her teammates to play a softball game against a Special Olympics team.  The girls did awesome to help the players out.  I was really proud of Katie and the other girls for their participation in this!

Softball team and siblings

I thought this photo was precious.

More softball!!

The Lady Diamonds are going to nationals!  Luckily, they are played in Round Rock this year.  They start playing tournament games on the afternoon of Thursday, July 29th.  If anyone wants to come watch, let me know and I can forward all of the info to you!  We are very excited!!

Also, there's a fundraising event this Friday at Panera Bread at the Hill Country Galleria from 6-8 pm.  They are donating a portion of the sales during that time to the Diamonds and their trip to nationals.  So come buy some yummy dinner & hang out with us.

We had a round robin this past weekend.  It was hot but the girls played great.

Birthday party for the twins

My sister, my cousin and I gave a 60th birthday luncheon for our moms (the twins!).  We had some yummy food and great company.  We served chilled avocado soup, brie in phyllo with french bread, fruit skewers, shrimp pasta salad and a few tasty desserts.

 

July 4th weekend

We had a great long holiday weekend at the barndo with friends!

See all photos

Photo to show to the future girlfriends

Softball Sectionals

This past weekend Katie played in a tournament and they qualified for regionals. It's a pretty big deal since no other past teams have done it! Katie played catcher and third base and got lots of hits. I enjoyed watching the games while M and J stayed home and had fun with the babysitter! I got lots of great photos. Good luck to the Lady Diamonds at regionals!!!

Weekend

We had a great weekend at the farm, fishing and swimming (and drinking for the adults).

Katie and Dylan

Then we spent Sunday at the barndo with the fam to celebrate Father's Day.  Chip got lots of great homemade gifts from the kiddos.  And Jack enjoyed his time with his namesake.

Jack and Jack (aka "Papa")

Mackenzie starts ballet and...softball

Our lives have been consumed with softball lately but Mackenzie also started ballet and tap last week.  She was so excited to dress in her tights and leotard and go to class.

Katie had a tournament this past weekend.  They got fourth place and Katie is learning so much.  She has a great coach (thanks Coach Erin!) and Chip is helping out too.

Katie out in the field.

Mackenzie and Jack watching the game with fellow siblings (and snow cones!)

Jack's hats

Every night, Jack puts certain toys into his crib.  He plays for awhile and then goes to sleep.  The other night, he asked for two hats, a bucket hat and a Texas Longhorn baseball cap.  I gave them to him and kissed him good night.  A couple of hours later when I went in to tuck him in, he was asleep with his bucket hat on.  I took the camera in there and snapped some pictures of him with the flash on.  He didn't stir.

Flower girls

Katie and Mackenzie were flower girls this weekend at Chip's niece, Caddie's wedding. Caddie and her sister, Berkley, were my flower girls 13 years ago. Katie took her flower girl responsibility very seriously, especially since she had already been one. She told Mackenzie everything she needed to know!

Here's Jack holding hands with his cousin Tim.

Family Portraits

We got our portraits taken a few weeks ago by Virginia Oxford.

Softball party

Katie and her team, the Red Diamonds, had a little party at the park. They got their trophies and had some softball cupcakes that I made.

Katie's 7th birthday party

Katie had a Hello Kitty slumber party for her 7th birthday. The girls had a lot of fun and stayed up until midnight (which is later than I usually stay up). The next morning, we played Wii and Rock Band, which was a big hit.

Mackenzie graduated...from pre-K!

We went to Mackenzie's graduation from pre-K. It was really cute. The kids sang some songs and showed us how much they've learned. Here's Mackenzie crossing the graduation stage.

Mackenzie and her friend Riley.

Katie's loving softball

Katie is just finishing her regular season and is now starting all-stars!