Fishing with Dad

I just love being a Mom of two little boys!
One of the reasons I think it is so much fun is because I have such a great husband and Daddy for my boys. Joshua Stephen just loves doing stuff with his Dad and Dawson always does a great job of including our boys in his hobbies. This means that when Daddy wants to practice his fly fishing technique, Joshua Stephen is at his side. When Daddy makes a trip to Cabela's the boys accompany him as his helpers. And now that it is hunting season, Joshua Stephen has already been with Daddy to scout out a couple of fields for hunting. I just love that Dawson enjoys spending time with his boys and that he is helping them to develop a love for the great outdoors.

Here's Daddy teaching Joshua Stephen some fly fishing technique.

Joshua Stephen practicing with his Spiderman fishing rod.

Joshua Stephen just loves learning from his Daddy.

I can't wait to see what they catch!

Carpool Mom

Now that Joshua Stephen is going to pre-school two mornings a week I have the great privilege of doing carpool- and I just love it! I think it is so much fun having a car full of kids! I just love looking in my back seat and seeing four little faces. It is so fun hearing them talk to each other, and I love getting to be the first one to hear about their day. Plus, thanks to carpool I only have to make one trip to Joshua Stephen's school each Tuesday and Thursday. Oh what fun it is to carpool!

My happy little carpool clan.

First day of school

Well, it's hard to believe that my little boy is growing up. Here is Joshua Stephen on his first day of pre-school.

Joshua Stephen is so excited to get to go to school. The name of his three year old class is the "Little Pelicans" (named after the school mascot). He has been talking about how he gets to go to "Little Pelican" school all summer. So yesterday when I asked him what he thought he would learn at school, he said "I think I'll learn how to act like a pelican and maybe get to dress like a pelican".

Here's Joshua Stephen with his favorite gal pal and carpool buddy, Maya.

Could they be any cuter?

They look so grown up!

I am so proud of my little man.

Sweet Maggie and I went through all of the emotions of dropping off our kiddos at school for the first time. It is so bitter sweet watching my little ones grow up.

Caleb was there to help encourage Big Brother (and support Mommy) on his first day of school.

After looking in to a number of different pre-school programs we decided to send Joshua Stephen to Covenant Christian School. We are so impressed with the great structure and wonderful curriculum they have for their three year old class. Plus they really focus on just loving little ones and pointing them to Christ.

Look how small my baby looks in this big school.

There's no slowing down for little brother- we're on our way to class.

Joshua Stephen made himself right at home in his new classroom.

Here he is greeting his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Byars. I couldn't be leaving my boy in better hands.

Caleb's new hair stylist

Well it became obvious that Caleb was in need of a haircut.

So what's a Mom to do?

Well this Mom decided to take her boy out to the playground (along with a bumbo seat and a pair of scissors) and enlist our neighbor to give him a trim.

Here is Sweet Mary Ann in action as she cuts Caleb's hair.

I think we have a new favorite hair stylist.

A romantic weekend away

Paw-Paw Kenny and Kay-Kay were so sweet to watch the boys for us so that we could enjoy a romantic weekend away. To celebrate our independence we decided to visit the state capital of Texas, the beautiful city of Austin. It was such a treat to have some undistracted alone time. We got to see the sights of Austin, enjoy some fun meals out and even catch up on a little rest. But within a couple of hours I was missing my boys and when Sunday arrived I couldn't wait to hug their little necks and give them lots of kisses.

Proud to stand right in the center of the Republic of Texas.

Dawson in front of the confederate soldiers monument.

What a beautiful state capital building. I just love Texas- it's such a friendly place.
Thanks Paw-Paw Kenny and Kay-Kay for treating us to a refreshing weekend! You're the Best!!!

The Herd Craig Museum

Paw-Paw Kenny and Kay-Kay treated us to a visit to the Herd Craig Museum. This was a special treat because it is a museum that Dawson grew up going to when he was a little boy.

Here's everyone with a porcupine (who made a rare appearance in the center of our photo).

All of us checking out some of the many outdoor animal exhibits.

Paw-Paw Kenny teaching Joshua Stephen about butterflies.

Joshua Stephen just loved teaching Paw-Paw and Kay-Kay all about the dinosaurs.

He just loves dinosaurs.

Checking out the different snakes.

Who's afraid of a big, bad bear?

Joshua Stephen was brave enough to go through the snake tunnel (with a little help from Daddy).

Our little Palaeontologist.

What a find!

On our way to Kay-Kay's house

The boys and I made a special trip to see our Kay-Kay and Paw-Paw Kenny. We flew to Texas on our own and then Dawson came and joined us a couple of days later. So that means I had the privilege of escorting two little boys on the airplane all by myself. I have flown with the boys by myself a couple of times, but this time our trip was especially pleasant because Joshua Stephen was such a great helper. Joshua Stephen was so helpful when we went through security and he did a great job sticking close to me and listening to my voice.

He also helped entertain Caleb through out the flight.

Who knew a cup and a straw could provide such entertainment?
(They kept the boys busy through out the flight.)

It's hard to believe Caleb is big enough to have his own seat on an airplane. He did such a great job using his seat belt.