Zoo Boo

Back to the zoo we go! One of our favorite family outings in a long time was at the Zoo Boo. The kids didn't dress up but we still had a blast visiting our favorite animals. Ashlee's friend Tori got to come with us too. We ate our picnic lunch while watching all the little kids in the costume parade.
The weather was beautiful so the animals were out and so were the people. The Houston zoo is so big though that the crowd really didn't bother us. We did have to park across the street in the hospital parking garage but it was worth it!

Happy Birthday Darrell!

Today the rain poured down and the temperatures dropped to mid 50's. Fall is trying to trickle on into Texas...just in time! Tonight is our Fall Picnic with our Bible Class. The kids will dress up in costume, carve pumpkins, and go on a hay ride around the neighborhood. Darrell is supposed to pull the trailor full of hay and kids but he is coming down with the flu i think. The past couple of days he hasn't felt very good and now he is achey all over. We might need to leave him home tonight.

October 2nd was Darrell's birthday. We spent the evening with friends (home group) and a cake with 42 candles. We met up with his parents and sister's family at BJs Brewhouse for dinner. He spent the rest of the weekend at Academy and Home Depot hince the gift cards from both sets of parents and his sister Susan.
I need to brag on both girls! This 6 weeks they both received straight A report cards!!! Sydney is practicing daily with those multiplication flashcards. Learning her times tables is hard work! Ashlee is continuing to do well in advanced classes. Her math teacher pulled me aside at lunch the other day to let me know how much she enjoys teaching Ashlee. She stated that she is motivated and has a knack with numbers...don't know where she got that from! *Uh-hum...Papa!!

James is talking up a storm these days. Every word making sense if you listen hard enough. We were at the doctors office for his 2 year checkup. Yes, he was a month overdue. I just couldn't bare to take him to get a shot! He is now at the age he would know and remember...or so I thought. The little stinker didn't even whince from the pain...he is a tuff little bugger. Anyways, we had to wait for the doctor for a little while. So out of curiousity he would open the door and sweetly say "Doc, where are you?" and then "Doc come here." Then he saw a long prescription name on a wall poster he pointed at the letters and started to sing the ABC's. He knew they were letters! He is very observant too...directed me home from his school the other day. When we came to a turn I would say "which way is home?" He would point in the right direction and say "dat way home mom!"

Grandma and Grandpa Higgins came over last night. They came to hang out with the grandkids while Darrell and I went on a date to the new seafood restaurant in Manvel. It is nice to be able to go on date night together once in a while. Thanks to Grandma and pa Higgins!

Life is good. Until next time...God bless!

Catching up with all the fun!

Let's see...the last time I blogged was the first week back to school. It is now the beginning of the 5th week and boy have we been busy. Where do I start???

I guess I'll begin with our visit to the Houston zoo on Labor Day. What a fabulous time! James is finally at the age where he really enjoyed the animals. His favorite was the dragon and elephants.
I love the Houston zoo in the fall! Not too hot, so the animals are active. We were able to see the lions and bears walking around and feeding. The girls and James were sooo excited. We will go back near Halloween time for the Boo Fest. The kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and play all kinds of informational games that involve candy! Animals, fun, and candy...what more could a kid want? *snicker*

My girlfriend Becky is having a baby anyday now. SO last weekend I hosted a baby shower for her with 5 other ol' friends; Michelle, MK, Jodi, Tasch, and Maria (Beck's friend from highschool). We held the shower at my house and it turned out beautiful. We served Becky's favorite food...enchiladas, beans and rice. We had little pinata's shaped like a pacifier and a duck. I made her a scrapbook and a diaper cake. Since she doesn't scrapbook (YET!-i'm working on her...ha!) I decided to put one together for her so that all she has to do is drop the pictures in later. I hope she get's excited about it then maybe in the future we can hang out with the kids and scrap! Fun girl time!
In the middle of all the baby fun, last Saturday I went to the Leadership Training through my church for all the kids bible study teachers. To open, Pastor Young spoke to us through a powerful message...he said that we (bible study teachers) have been called to do one of the most important things on earth...to teach children about the gospel. I had goosebumps all over my body and tears trickling down my cheeks by the time he was through speaking. I can't express what it means (or feels like) to me to see a child grow in His love...some grow more than others. You never know what an impact an adult can make in a child's life..especially at 5th and 6th grade where they are changing physically and emotionally. How Jesus fills their hearts and molds them into his image is amazing!

That's about all for now except that we have had our first "cold front" this Fall. The much needed rain brought cooler weather. The highs dropped to the mid 70's last week. The low humidity makes it really nice to play outside with the kids. The backyard toys have once again become a blessing! The kids absolutely have a ball with each other...they play so well together. We are so blessed!

First Day of School

Summer is over and it's back to the ol' grind stone. The girls were excited and nervous about their first day at school. Ashlee is in 6th grade this year and Sydney is in the 3rd grade.

Sydney actually got Ashlee's old teacher so she is happy to have the inside scoop. She knows all the in and outs of Mrs. Reyes class and expects to have a smooth sailing year.

Ashlee is in honors classes this year. She likes it so far...even though she has much more homework than last year. She has already written a creative story from rough draft to the final copy and it's only been one week. I have to say she has wonderful writing skills. The plot is full of exciting pirate adventure and the characters are so detailed you feel like you're in the story when reading it. She has had some great writing teachers, including her mom! No really, she wrote this one all by herself and it's a masterpiece if I say so myself.

So here is to a good school year. I'm sure it will fly by...making exciting memories along the way.

God is so good!

I have very exciting news to tell. This past August, Sydney decided to make a very important decision in her life. She excepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and on August 23, 2009, she was baptized. It was a huge celebration in our church as 14 children and 2 adults were baptized that day. The baptism was held at our dear friends house in their backyard pool. It actually is the same pool that Ashlee and I were baptized in when we joined the church. We are very proud of her and are truly blessed that God has given such a beautiful child to us to raise. Every day is amazing to see her growing spirtually. God is so good!

Happy 2nd Birthday James!

Our baby boy James is growing big...FAST! We celebrated his 2 years of life this past weekend and boy was it a party! So many friends and family were able to come and so many were here in spirit! The fun began in the backyard with multiple activities. From Slip and Slides to water balloons to the famous "cold" tub to the trampoline...kids having a blast everywhere! James had his favorite cake...chocolate with Cars on top! It was a fun birthday...his first to understand and participate in...and boy did he! Take a look at our slideshow and see! Happy Birthday James!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Kids Camp

Wow! What a whirlwind of a summer! It's coming to a quick close as the kids start back to school in only 6 more days. We have had many memorable experiences and good times these past couple months. The kids have had a blast visiting relatives, playing with friends, and going to camp.

Speaking of camps, Ashlee and I (mom) just got home from kids camp. Ashlee went as a 6th grader this year and I tagged along as a 5th grade girls counselor. What an amazing opportunity that turned out to be. I think everyone should experience the blessing...not only as a child but as an adult. I remember going to a christian camp when I was a kid and wanted to give back to my kids what I received so I decided to go as a counselor. To see God's love so profoundly throughout the week and to watch the kids grow was an absolute blessing! At this age kids are so impressionable and what a better place to be than among those who love and live their lives for Christ.

There were a total of 500 kids at the christian camp in Huntsville. By the end of the week, 189 of them excepted Jesus Christ as their savior. I can't even begin to explain all that went into this week away so I have attached a few pictures for memories sake.