First Week

Well, I survived my first week back at school...is was good, but I am very tired! I am so excited to be at my new school, though...so that makes up for the hurting feet, soar throat (from talking all day again) and stress from beginning of year stuff. This year is bringing lots of firsts...first year at a new school (again), first time to have to get 2 kids ready in the morning, first time Gavin has gone to daycare, first time for Aidan to go to this particular daycare, and this is my first time to teach geometry. I am still teaching Algebra I and II as well, so now I have three preps. And, on A-days, I have all 3 classes, so I teach three different things in a row...most days I teach two sections per class, so that is 6 different lessons in one day! I am not complaining though...it breaks up the monotony and keeps things interesting! I am enjoying it so far. I thought I would post a couple of pics of my room once I got it all decorated. I probably spent too much money on new decorations, but I figure I better like it because I spend so much time there! My new school is called Vandegrift High School...VHS, which is kinda funny considering I went to VHS. And, our mascot is The Viper...weird that my alma mater is now the vipers! Our colors are black and silver...so I decorated with black, white, and silver and added a magenta for some extra color!

"Viper News" Bulletin Board


Fun Chair and Pillow in Back Corner of Room


My Bulletin Board...complete with shrine to kids! : )


View From My Desk

First Day of School

Well, today was my first day back to school with students and the boys first day at their new daycare. While I was really sad to leave them this morning, the day went better than I could have hoped for. I knew Gavin would be fine with Mrs. Patty (their new teacher)...he's happy with anyone right now! I wasn't exactly sure how Aidan would react, though. But, he was excited to go this morning and at the end of the day, Mrs. Patty said he acted as if he had been going there for a long time...that he fit right in and played well with everyone. The first thing she said to me when I walked in to pick them up this afternoon was, "Could your boys be any more angelic?" So, that made me feel really good and reaffirmed our decision to place them both in this school! My day was also good...I am really excited to be at my new school, and I think it is going to be a great year!

I thought about a "first day" pic as we were leaving, so this was all I could get...a little goofy, but still cute...

Summer 2009

It's official...my summer break is over...I went back to work yesterday! Summer 2009 was a great one...I really enjoyed being home with the boys (and Bella when we had her). We got to do a lot of fun stuff...went to San Antonio with Grammy, Grampy, and the boys, went to DFW a couple of times to visit family and old friends, RJ and I went to NYC, I went to Houston for a girls weekend with my high school girlfriends, and we had tons of family times here in Austin. The number one reason we moved to Austin was to get closer to our families...I love how much we got to see both sides of our family this summer!

Here are a couple of pics that I didn't share yet of the summer...

Aidan and Bella in the Playscape at Chic-fil-A


My Girls Weekend




Going for a walk around the block with mommy


Celebrating Nani's Birthday



Grammy reading a book to the gang


Aidan and Bella taking in the sights in Grammy and Grampy's back yard


Going for a walk with Grampy


Enjoying a popsicle on the back porch after all that walking


Aidan making Gavin laugh (not sure if I should call it a laugh or a squeal or a growl...you decide!). Aidan can get him to laugh the easiest! : )



Many wonderful memories...thanks to everyone who shared in making them!

More 5 month Pics

The boys were being way too cute earlier for me not to snap some pictures...

Gavin rolls over every time I lay him down now. This is him after rolling over on his play mat.


Proof that he's teething...he gnaws on everything! : )


Aidan always gets on the floor when Gavin is down there...sometimes he scares me to death because he doesn't know his own strength, but tonight they were really cute.


Copy Cats


My Sweet Boys...I love the connection they already have!

5 Months

Gavin is five months old today! I can't even believe he's been here that long! He is doing great...growing every day. We haven't weighed him since his doctor's appointment last month, but I'm sure he's close to 22 pounds. His hair is coming back in on the top and front (the back never fell out)...the new hair is still pretty fuzzy, but it's definitely light...blonde or light brown. His eyes are still crystal blue, too! He's working on sitting up by himself, and he's cutting his first tooth. He is still working on getting the hang of eating baby food...that swallowing thing is giving him trouble! He is always a joy to be around and puts a smile on everyone's face!

RJ took a bunch of awesome pics of the boys this weekend. We haven't really gone through them all yet, but I wanted to include one of the little man for his 5 month update...

Brushy Creek Water Park

Jessica and I took the kids to a fun little water park yesterday...it's all fountains and little "showers" of water. The kids had a blast running through the fountains and standing under the showers. One of the best parts was that it was free! We will definitely go back....it was tons of fun!

Aidan and Bella in the Fountains


They liked to step on the fountains.


Jason playing with a ball.


Taking a break for a snack...




All worn out...

Visit to DFW

I took the boys to DFW with me for a visit with some of my old friends. We stayed with Lyndee and her two kiddos, Kenon and Cora, while her hubby was at a coach's conference. We had a blast. I miss Lyndee and the other girls so much, and it was good to see them...but it was too short of a visit! It was my first time to travel out of town with both of the boys. They both did great...Gavin slept the entire time we drove and Aidan slept and watched movies. So, it was a piece of cake...thank goodness! Here are some pics from our adventure...

We got there just in time...it started to sprinkle on us as we were getting out of the car and about 5 minutes later, it was pouring and hailing! The kids enjoyed watching it from the back door.


Cindy had a pool party at her house the first night we were in town. We packed up all the kids and headed over there. She had invited a lot of my old friends...it was fun to see them all and get all the kids together! Kenon and Aidan had to take their backpacks full of toys over to Mrs. Cindy's house. They took over her living room as soon as we got there!


Lyndee with her little princess, Cora...so cute!


Gavin with one of Cindy's sons, Justin. I love this picture...my four month old is huge, but he looks so tiny next to Cindy's big boy! : )


Justin with the big boys.


Cindy by the pool with Gavin and one of my friends Jennifer's son, Sam. Cindy was in hogs heaven with all the kids!


Aidan sitting by the pool.


The gang in the pool.


Gavin hanging out while everyone was swimming.


Cora relaxing by the pool.


The next day, we took the kids to The Jumping Zone. They all had a blast. Aidan's favorite was one with a gigantic Batman at the entrance...


The boys enjoyed playing Air Hockey for a while.


We wore Gavin out!


After dinner that night, we all enjoyed a snow cone at a cute little place near Lyndee's house!



The next day, we got back on the rode after lunch. We had a blast with Lyndee and her kids and enjoyed seeing my other friends, too. Visits to DFW always seem too short and too far apart...we can't wait to visit again! Love you guys!!!