The Polar Express

This past weekend we ventured out to Palestine, Texas to ride The Polar Express all the way to the North Pole.  :)  My mom and Terry had gifted these to us, but at the last minute, were unable to come these;ves.  We enjoyed hot cocoa, a sugar cookie, and seeing Santa!

He was so adorable & just loved it all1

It was this cutie's first train ride.

My boys.

The North Pole!

Sweet sissy did so good.  I nursed her right when we got on...and the moment of the train lulled her right to sleep.

Back to School 2015

I got a little ahead of the game this year and took 'back-to-school' pictures a few days before the first day of school to ensure a few good pictures & take a little pressure off the morning of.  :)  

2nd Grade for Parker & Kindergarten for Grace

First Day Pictures!

Meanwhile, back at home...this guy had me all to himself.

And he was able to help me make the 'back-to-school' cupcakes for the first time.  My big helper!

They had a great first day...and the cupcakes were a hit!

Vacation Bible School 2015

This past week we had Vacation Bible School at our church.  Last year was Parker's first year….but this was my first year to actually help out.  I was in the 4 year old class (but not in Grace's class…which worked out because nobody was upset that I was in one's class and not the other  :)

The theme was Journey Off the Map…and we had theme days so just wanted to document here.

It was such a great week.  We all loved VBS!  (but it also wore us out!  haha!)

Day 1- the girls were still going strong when we left.

This bub was OUT!

Day 2: animal print face (paint face or wear mask)

Day 3: Buff It (think Survivor--the head band type thing) 

Day 4: animal print tee (so I whipped up these animal print skirts in less than an hour with a tank top from Wal-Mart.  and they'll wear these again!).

this guy is still trying to catch up on his sleep (as we all are).

And one of the favorite things to play these days….VBS.  love it!

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 

"This is the way; walk in it."

let's go to the zoo!

Two weeks ago….determined to get the kids out of the house and enjoy summer….I decided to take them to the zoo.  After checking social media early that morning…I discovered it to also be National Donut Day (???  just don't get all of these 'special' holidays?)….nevertheless…. we joined in on the celebration.

They enjoyed their donuts on the way.  The zoo opens at 9am and I wanted to be there by then.  This was also the last day of school for a lot of local schools so I was hoping it wouldn't be too crowded.  Good news!  We got there at 8:50!!  We were able to park really close to the entrance and also in the shade.  :)  And the zoo wasn't crowded out all.

I loved seeing this BIG…but so sad that the picture I took was so blurry!  But it's the memory.  :)

We actually ended up not seeing many animals this day.  This day we just played.

We rode the carousel 3 times. (no picture)

We rode the new dinosaur train twice.

They played in the little water area in the children's zoo.

And they all rode the pony.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch that I had packed and then headed home around noon for naps (for Nolan and myself, haha!)  :)

Our trip to the zoo = success!