August 2011

Natalie started First grade this month! Our schools started early this year, on August 8. She was ready to start learning and see her friends. Natalie is such an awesome kid...she is always happy, always smiling, and has such enthusiasm for life. Everything is exciting to her. I love the light in her eyes. Her attitude helps her excel in school and thrive in that kind of atmosphere. She rides the bus to and from school since it conveniently stops right outside of our house on the corner. Ryan has been quite bored without his sister and Sophia around. We had Sophia all summer and it was so much fun watching the kids together. They are like siblings rather than cousins. Ryan enjoyed teasing and tormenting them like any good brother would do. He really does love them and misses their presence. He is such a rough and tumble little guy...all boy, that's for sure. He can drive me batty and melt my heart all in the same moment. The kids are involved in gymnastics again this year and love every minute of it.

This month we had the pleasure of my Aunt Beryline visiting for a day. She is a rep for the V.A. (my uncle, deceased, was military) and they flew her and a friend out to New Orleans for some meetings. Mom and I drove to New Orleans and picked them up for some quality family time back at her home. So glad we were able to have that time together.

First Day of 1st grade

Dressed for school in colorful shoes and socks

feeding Lily Cheetos

Mom and her sister-in-law, my Aunt Beryline

Playing in the dirt is fun!

Playing with little brother can be messy...but it rocks!

White Sands Lake

There is a lake nearby, about 30 minutes away, called White Sands Lake. We spent a Saturday afternoon there and it was beautiful! They have cabanas, picnic tables, canoes, peddle boats, and inflatable slides and bouncers on the water. The kids are little fishes and any time they can be in water they are happy. =)

July 2011

she is so beautiful

best friends!

watching a movie

waiting for the pins to fall

bowling beauty

pretty girl with Nana's earrings

yard work can be fun!

building his new bike with daddy

good looks run in the family =)

pretty little swimmer

Ryan loves to be thrown off the floaties

Ryan's bar work

Sophia's bridge (back bend)

she loves gymnastics


good times at Zia's house! (that's me)

4th of July weekend

We had the pleasure of the company of family over the holiday weekend. My sis-in-law and her girls came down to celebrate with us. The best part was that the girls stayed here for 3 weeks!What fun! Daniel gets great perks from work and received tickets to the annual Seafood Festival, which was so enjoyable. The kids were able to ride their first roller coaster and were instantly hooked. They played games, swam in the lake, we ate great food, it was good times. My parents live near a river, so on July 4th we did some fishing. It was relaxing as well as exciting, mostly because the fish were jumping out of the water. Crazy! That night we lit fireworks, of course, and enjoyed our freedom.

festival games with daddy

First roller coaster!

I love this picture of the kids on the lakefront

my husband thinks he is so funny

my nieces!!!

We discovered this turtle by the river with a fish hook stuck through it's leg. My brother performed minor surgery to get the hook out and we set it free.

Ryan's face is priceless

Daddy teaching about fishing

Helping Natalie light her fireworks

Mikey's Birthday Bash

Our family gave Mikey a big party for his birthday this year. He is now 43 years young and, well, the same as ever. We invited his coworkers and bowling mates and their families. He was so excited! Luke, Dad, and myself took turns being lifeguards while the pool was overrun by happy kids and friends. Our pastor came with his family for a bit, which made Mikey's day. It was a wonderful afternoon and everyone is planning for another great birthday bash next year!

Birthday guests mingling and swimming

Helping with clean up

the kids love flying off of the diving board

Our pastor made an appearance and gave Mikey an awesome Saints gift!

with friends Natalie and Nate

burgers, dogs, and social time

one of his gifts...a Saints umbrella!

Playing with the kids in the pool

June 2011

Ryan and Lilly

dancing in the recital...she loves the stage =)

headed home with her flowers

Father's Day spread...fresh greens from mom's garden, fresh corn from a friend's garden, beef and chicken kabobs, catfish, steak, and shrimp. The men were very happy =)

Helping daddy read his card

they practically live in the pool

Sophia and Ryan in gymnastics class

Scooter time!

playing in the water fountains at a local park

Snowballs!