Demolition Derby

we usually go to brenham every year in October when the weather is cooler

to a demolition derby. it's been a tradition for us for a few years.

well, when we went to check the dates for this year, we suddenly saw

they weren't having it! dang it! there aren't a lot around, so we were

luckily able to find one we could go to before Jason leaves town.

and the tradition continues!

it was in spicewood texas, and was super fun. it was hot though.

we went early in the day and walked around zilker park in austin.

we hiked around, and visited this spring where you can pay money to swim in it.

it's 68 degrees right now? it would have probably felt nice.

snow cones were fun...it was hot, and we didn't bring swimming suits.

this is a river down from the spring. the sign says it has too much bacteria to swim?

we did see lots of people in canoes and kayaks

jason wanted to get there early because he saw they usually have around 4,000 people,

and that was a good call. we got great seats, and an hour before they started everything

was full. we just hung out, brought the tablets for the boys as a surprise, 

and ate dinner and people watched.

all the cars lined up!

we had a great time! we didn't take many night pictures, but it went well into the night.

we stayed the night in austin, and then drove home the next morning

to get home in time for church. the only benefit of church at 2:30 pm!!

First Day of School

Oh the first day of school....such mixed feelings.

The boys were excited to see friends and for a new year, 

and I was a wreck.

Especially with Chase starting kindergarten. 

I just wish they wouldn't grow up so fast. 

He was super excited, and a little nervous. 

I walked him in, and kept it together until I left him. 

I didn't want him to see me cry, I didn't think that would help him.

I made it to the edge of campus before the tears came. 

Grant was great at telling me it would be ok. :)

These guys are so cute! I will miss them terribly, 

but I know it's so good for them. They learn so much about school, 

life, friends, and how to navigate it all.

Grant turns 9!

i can't believe it! where, really where, did the time go?? 

i still remember the days of holding him, seeing him laugh and learn to walk....sigh.

i know everyone says this, but it seriously does go by so fast.

the great thing is, i love getting to know my kids as older kids. gasp!

grant is funny, outgoing, friendly, compassionate, kind, and so happy.

and he's such a great big brother. chase is so so so so lucky.

he's one of a kind kid - something i never realized until he got older.

i thought all kids were as nice and happy and easy going as he is - but that's so not true!

he makes our life so complete and i love watching him grow up every day.

happy birthday grant! we love you!

birthday breakfast! (the boys get to pick their food on their birthdays - 

it makes me feel sort of ill, but it's only one day right?)

grant picked out a tie dye cake. chase and me are making it here. it actually turned out 

soooooo good! (and i'm not a cake person! especially boxed cake!) who would have thought?

chuckecheese tradition! we met jason there for lunch and games

hamster! grant really really wanted a hamster for his birthday, so that was the 

majority of his gifts, since we had to get everything for it. he's loved it thought, 

and has been really good so far at taking care of it. 

it actually provided quite a bit of entertainment the last week of summer,

so it really worked out really well.   :)

his cake! our nice camera died, so these are from my phone. jason got him trick candles,

so here he's laughing at not blowing them out....he cracks me up every day.

him and his funny faces.....he kills me. :)  you can see what the cake looks like here....

happy birthday buddy! we love you more than you'll ever know!