Brinley's First Day of Kindergarten and Julianne's First Day of Preschool

August 15th 2013 was a big day for our family! Brinley had her first day of all day kindergarten and Julianne went to her first day of preschool. They were both all smiles and super excited! Greg and I of course had mixed emotions, but for the most part excited too. We were so lucky that Greg had the week off from school, so he was able to be there for the big event! 

A few days before school started all the teachers put these signs in front of each kindergarten student's  doors. It was so thoughtful of them and made Brinley really proud. 

 At the bus stop with all her boy buddies! She is most often the only girl, but she is so lucky to have these wonderful gentlemen. They are so sweet to her.

 Peter and Brinley

 Julianne all ready for school too!

 We followed the school bus and watched Brinley walk into her class room. Here she is with her class.

 Next was Julianne's turn! She was so brave. I expected her to freak out because she didn't know a single soul, but she went right in with a big smile!

 Mrs Lynn helping her find her cubbie.

 After we picked her up she was still all smiles!

 She played and played all afternoon and waited until it was time to go pick up Brinley.

 Her good friend Anna.

 Finally it was time to go get her off the bus! It felt like a long day!

 Brinley and Peter, arm in arm.

 So excited to see each other!

 That friday we had a back to school BBQ in the front yard! These are always a blast!

 Tim Gubler is one good chef!Cynthia too!

 Josh, Daniel, and Andrew

 My good friend Marie and I

 Isaac, Brinley, Anna and Sam

A few days  into school the newness wore off and Brinley started having a REALLY hard time wanting to go to school each day. She would cry every morning and was just not herself. She said it was to long of a day and she missed being at home.
It was really hard sending her to school in tears. Then we started doing things a little different.
 Each morning, I make sure she is ready to go 15 min prior to us walking out the door. During that time I read the girls stories out of the "friend" magazine and then we say payers. Its been so great since we started doing that and has become one of my favorite times of the day.
 Brinley started learning that we all have to do things that are hard and scary sometimes. I taught her that instead of thinking about the whole day at once and feeling that it was to long, that she should break up the day and get excited about the little things in between, like, morning recess, then lunch, then art or gym or music time depending on the day. If she could create small victories for herself through out the day then it will seem shorter and she can focus on the happy things in her day. She also learned to say prayers in her heart if ever she felt sad or scared. After just about a week or so, she was able to adjust and now she goes to school each day with a big smile on her face!

Utah Summer 2013

   We had another successful Utah trip this summer. Papa was kind enough to fly out with the me so that the girls and I could go before Greg. He was a big help! 

Mckay did awesome on the flight and slept the whole time. When we got to my Mom's house he was in heaven because he got rocked to sleep nearly every night by Grandma Julie! It was so much fun to introduce him to everyone. We also blessed him while we were there, but of course those pictures are on my dads camera. 

 We met my friend Holly at a slash pad one afternoon. Lots of fun, but Julianne decided she didn't want to go in.

 What trip would be complete without a trip to the cabin? Jared and Kristin and the boys were there too! IT was so much fun. Not a lot of sleep, but a lot of fun!

 At the fire pit

 Greg's brother Danny and his family were living at Mike and Carole's while waiting to move to California. They have an adorable dog named Sparrow and my girls love her! One night Julianne fell asleep next to her, so cute!

 Staring to give BIG smiles!

 My dear friends Kajsa and Heather. Kajsa and I had baby boys, one day apart.

 Baby Mana and Mckay! Friends already, wearing their matching hats Heather gave to them.

 We even made it to the river! Greg took the girls overnight and they slept in a tent with all the Beattie boys! The next morning I left Mckay with Grandma Julie and drove up with my brother in law Brock for the day. It was a good time.

 Ellie and Brinley

 Meagan, Jen, Eve, Addy, Emma, Mary, Tim and I getting ready to go down the river!

 Aunt Jeanie, Rachelle,and Jennie.

 Brinley and Lukey boy!

 Us with Katie, James, Rachelle and Michael.

 Playing with Grandma Carole in the river!

 After the first run. Julianne was one and done, but Brinley is just like her Daddy and LOVES to go down again and again! She even went down on her own tube for the first time. That's a big momentous moment for a kid in this family. Way to go Brinley!

 Julianne sadly got her first bee sting! So sad. She cried for a long time!

 Visiting Great Grandma Egginton.

 Last hurrah at the Zoo before school starts! We even got to ride the train!

Good times!

First Part of Summer

After Mckay was born, summer came in full swing. Good thing Mckay was an easy going newborn and just went with the flow! My Dad was able to come out for a few days while my mom was here helping us. I don't have a lot of pictures of everything that we did but we sure had a great time!

Brinley and Julianne on Fathers Day

 Giving Grandpa his bird house they, made with Grandma, for Fathers Day

 Giving Dad his bird house too.

 Last day with Grandma!

 Mommy and Brinley on a date to see Monster Inc. 2. We had so much fun together!

 Happy 33rd Birthday Greg!

 Papa and Grandma there to celebrate with us!

 Happy 4th of July!

At the Webster Grove Parade. Not the best one we've been too :(

Later in the evening we went to St. Charles and watched fire works with the Coffee's. We had a wonderful spot and it was so much fun!

Mckay just slept the whole time in his carrier!

We love the 4th!

Brinley with Sister Coffee.

This is Claire and Ethan, they moved in a year ago for their Dads fellowship program. Brinley and Julianne have LOVED playing with them. This is a picture of them together right before they moved. Our first of many friends to say goodbye too over the next few months.