Halloween

I took the day off to go to Drew's school for a few events they had for Halloween.  The morning started off with a parade.  They walked around their school twice and then into chapel.  He was so excited to see me amongst all the parents.  The picture is blurry but worth it.

Practicing in the classroom

Found momma!

After the mini parade they went to chapel and I had some free time which I had no idea what to do with myself.  I am not use to that.  I came back for lunch with his friends and his little Halloween party.

 

 

 

Halloween night our church always has Trunk or Treat and we have always done a trunk to pass out candy.  We missed a few years because of Drew being so little and then Jason's work schedule.  This year Drew helped pass out the candy and did really good until he went to the trunks and he thought he could pick what candy he wanted.  We will work on that!

 

 

 



Happy Halloween 2013!

Fire Station Open House

Grapevine's Fire Station Open House was today and Drew and I ventured out to see what it was all about.  Drew loves to see fire trucks when we are driving around, and school buses, and garbage trucks, and ice cream trucks, and trains.  The kids likes it all but today was all about fire trucks! 

They had all their fire trucks lined up and I was sure he would want to touch one but he told me he was scared.  We went in and looked around at all the festivities.  Grabbed a few cool freebies, watched a clown show, and of course ate a hot dog! 

When leaving we stopped by all the trucks again and go a few pictures but he still wouldn't go to close to them.  He enjoyed the event, I think and still loves fire trucks...from afar!

Baby #2 is a ....

When we first found out we were having "Baby #2" we talked about names.  We decided that night on both a girl and a boy name.  We decided not to tell anybody to keep away from thoughts/reactions and just for fun. 

Last Friday I told my students that I was pregnant.  I told them I was going to teach them how to play a game to work on spelling (hangman).  The phrase was "I am having a baby".  Both classes read the sentence and looked surprised.  I explained to them it was going to be awhile and I was going to have my baby at the end of February.    One didn't understand why I was going to be out for a few weeks at the end of February after having my baby.  Just like with Drew, I had my students guess what they thought I was having.  They all signed a poster and we kept it up until I told them. 

We found out what we were having Monday afternoon.  We then went to dinner with some friends that insisted on finding out together and couldn't wait until I figured out how to tell them.  I had some ideas but gave in to the idea of a dinner.  As much as I love throwing parties for others, putting something together for myself was weird to me.  Plus, our schedules are really busy and we just couldn't plan anything elaborate.  I had a sweet friend plan the location and it worked out great.  Very low key but fun as always. 

Jason and I came up with the idea of making scratch offs for everybody to find out on their on.  I wanted to do something different then what most do.  All but three people guessed girl.

I then had dinner with some co-workers Thursday night and all but one thought it was a girl.  They scratched off the answer to see what we were having.

I finally got to tell my students on Friday.  The class was so anxious to find out and just couldn't wait any longer.  I told them what I was having and the ones that guessed correctly were so excited.  One little girl told me that she told her sister on the phone who's in college that I was having a baby and her big sister guessed a boy. 

So for the reveal...we are having a .....

 

Drew is going to have a baby brother.  Camden Lee Cate will make his debut around February 24th.  We are so excited and can't wait to meet him!

Preschool

Drew started preschool this year and couldn't be happier.  He loves to learn and play with friends. 

I didn't get to get any more pictures of him that day because he walked right in and went to play, like he owned the place.  I hear that he is a friendly person and has to say goodbye to all the teachers before leaving with his sitter in the afternoons.  My biggest worry was him napping there and he has had complete success.  They work on a letter a week and a color and shape per month.  I can't wait to go to his Halloween party and see his cute Thanksgiving feast that are both coming up. 

Vacation Time

At the end of July we went on a family vacation with my family to Branson.  We stayed in a condo right outside of Branson.

The first night we got there and went to eat at their local Bass Pro's restaurant.  It was on the water and just a nice setting to be in.  The next morning we woke up and went to ride the Branson train.  I knew Drew would like this and he was so excited once we got there.  My parents bought him a cute hat for the ride.  We rode in to Arkansas and back.  It was a pretty route.

After the train ride we walked up to the main street area and had lunch.  After that we visited some shops on the street and then it was nap time!

After nap time we hung out around the condo and cooked dinner there.  We then all went to "The Price is Right".  My dad offered to stay back and hang out with Drew and then put him down so Jason and I could both go.  I have to admit I was nervous about being a contestant and thankful that I didn't get picked.  None of us did but it was a neat experience.

 

 

Wednesday morning Jason went golfing on the property.  Drew and I went swimming with my sister.  He loves the pool and keeping up with him was a task.  We also got to catch Jason golfing and Drew had fun in the golf cart.

That night we drove into Springfield to the main Bass Pro.  Drew really enjoyed this place and I am sure just like his daddy could have stayed there all day.  On the way back we stopped at "Lamberts" right outside of Springfield to eat.  My dad had heard many great things about it so we decided to try it.  We are all glad we did.  That was the neatest dining experience I've had.  Drew loved it.  If you want a role, they throw it at you.  Once we got our rolls we shared them with Drew.  Well, he thought you were suppose to throw them like they had been thrown to us so he threw his roll to everybody at the table.  It was fun and everybody enjoyed the good home cookin!

 

 

Thursday morning the guys got up and went on a guided fishing trip.  Jason had never been on one and I know he remembers his dad going on one when he came when he was little.   This time he got to go.  He caught many fish!  We went into town to a cute little shopping center and looked around and did some shopping of course!

The girls went swimming and once they got back we cooked hamburgers by the pool.  We ate lunch after swimming and then off to take a nap!

 

That evening we went to eat on the water and then watched a water show.  Drew enjoyed that and it was a fun thing to do with the family.

Friday morning we headed out to Big Cedar Lodge for breakfast.  That place is beautiful.  They had a mini beach area that we had planned on staying a playing at but it started raining.  So we just drove around the property. 

We met my parents back in town and said our goodbye's.  We stayed until after nap but they headed back.  After lunch we headed home.  Our intention was to stop half way but we just drove all the way home and Drew slept in the car.  That's a first, but I am sure he was tired from the long, fun, crazy week.  He was a great traveler and hardly any tears.  I think we have a road tripper on our hands and that makes this momma happy!

Sea World Round 2

After July 4th we decided to head down to San Antonio to visit Jason's grandmother for a long weekend and head to Sea World again.  This time we got to do all the shows we didn't get to the first trip and a new one about pets.

First stop was the penguins...

 

 

We then headed to the new pet show and Drew enjoyed watching the animals do some fun tricks.

 



After that we grabbed some lunch and then headed to see the boat and ski show.  This was pushing it into nap time, so we left soon after and headed back for a nap.  After Drew woke up, we headed out to see Elmo Rocks!  We couldn't make this show last time and I am so glad we could this time.  Drew loved it.

We then grabbed dinner and went to see Shamu Rocks.  We didn't get any pictures but it was as always a great show!  We love Shamu!  We are hoping to go back during Christmas to see all their Christmas shows and decorations.

Party time!

We celebrated Drew's birthday with all his friends and family this past Saturday.  We had it at a local church that had a fun area for the little kids to play and even a game area for the older kids and adults.  The set up was great and room for everybody. 

This candle came from New York.  When Jason and I visited I saw this and safely packed it away until his birthday!  Might have to order one for him every year. 

Brady and Drew trying out the cool red chair.

Kenzie, Brady, Caleb, and Hudson

Lily, Aubrey, Hudson and Brady

Sweet Graci

Playing air hockey with Caleb

Singing Happy Birthday To Drew!

Opening presents in the cool red chair!

 It was so good to see everybody that could make it out.  I know Drew had a blast running around and getting a lot of fun new toys to play with.  Thank you to everybody who came and made our sweet little boy's two year old birthday party a hit!