Our Fellowship Community

We have been meeting with 5 other families in Balcones Woods for a few years now. We were getting together once or twice a month to share a meal and share life with one another, but these last few weeks we have been meeting more often as we go over some curriculum called "This Matters" from our church. It has sparked some rich conversations. The Davis, Underwoods, Dugans, Mezgers and now the Knoxes are in our group. There are eighteen kids and two more on the way! In order for us to have any sort of meaningful conversation, we have sitters come for one hour to take the kids over to the Knoxes house. This past week was extra special because a man that works for Matt has a cotton candy and popcorn machine and came by to treat the kids. They were loving it! (Adults, too!)

Bailey waiting patiently for her cotton candy!

Matt and Cano with his machine. It was legit!

Some of the group - so sad this is such a poor quality pic - I think I want a real camera!

Katherine Dugan and Alivia loving their cc!

Sweet Berry Farm Fall 2013

I headed out to SB Farms this year with Alivia and Will. We had organized a Girl Scout trip and most of the girls came with various members of their family. It was SO HOT. But otherwise a ton of fun. It was TX-OU weekend so I think that kept some of the crowds away that Saturday. It's always favorite with my kids and we get our pumpkins there every year. Will and Alivia both say sand art is their top activity.

First Day of Preschool for the Littles

We switched Preschools this year to Covenant United Methodist Preschool which is just down the street and does not require any co-oping from me. I am writing this post a month after we started school and I have to say that the school change has been great. It is so much easier for me and I just love the school and the teachers.

John has Ms. Jenny who has been working at this preschool for 15 years. She has a calm demeanor and nothing fazes her. At all. When we showed up one day without shoes on because John was having a tough morning, she let him come in barefoot and said she would handle it later in the morning. John's best buddy, Blake Mezger is also in his class which he is thrilled about.

Matthew has Ms. Kelly. She is also a seasoned teacher. There are only 4 kids in his class! Such a dream. Plus there is a helper in there as well. Matthew comes home covered in paint, marker and dirt and I would not have it any other way. He enters the room effortlessly and does not look back.

The boys attend Tuesday/Thursday from 9:30-1:30. I am so thankful for CUMC because it allows me to have some uninterrupted time to homeschool the big kids. Plus it is literally 5 minutes from my house. Praise the Lord!

From Matthew's teacher - very cute.

John with Ms. Jenny. She is currently receiving chemo for colon cancer - what an amazing woman!

Labor Day

We have started a tradition for Labor Day in our family. We all head out to the lake for the weekend, and then the men and older kids head out to Bertram for the opening day of Dove Season. Of course it tends to be VERY hot, but the kids don't seem to mind at all. This year all the kids except John and Matthew went out to Bertram and had a great time.

Peyton seems to be at peace when driving the boat

She just looks so grown up in this picture

Will is still wearing the lanyard from Walt Disney World - too funny

Piano!

Alivia has been asking about piano lessons for about a year now. We found a high school girl who lives in our neighborhood that will give lessons and comes to our house! Will has expressed interest and well (along with the drums which I promptly crushed) - so starting this Tuesday, both kiddos will be tickling the ivorys of our new digital piano. We will see how it goes!

First Times at the Lake

I am proud to say that Alivia and Will both tried waterskiing this past weekend at the lake! I missed seeing Will - his trial was pretty short lived after he got water up his nose (who can blame him?) But Alivia shocked us all by not only getting up (several times) but staying up for a few seconds! She was the only cousin that was able to do that. Unfortunately, I did not get any pics of her success because the contraption that we are using requires 3 adults to help (one to be in the water, one to drive the boat, and one to hold the end of the rope from the boat). More pics to come with future attempts.

This is me - tame, cautious and boring

Yeah, this will never be me - I cannot believe we are related

Ready, steady. . .  Alivia was so nervous she was shaking!

There she is! Go Alivia Go!