First Day of School

So... I'm a little behind on this one. I turned on my camera this morning to discover these great pictures of Preston's first day of school. Oops.

 

He was so excited to start school again!

I only hope that he maintains that enthusiasm for years to come!

Outside school.

He was already growing tired of all the pictures at this point.

This may have been disbelief that I was, in fact, taking more pictures.

He found his nametag in his "locker" all by himself.

Showing off his football moves.

I LOVE that his classroom has a Chiefs jersey.

His old room last year had one as well!

It didn't take him long at all to jump right in and make new friends.

 

He loves his teacher and loves school!



727 DAV Poker Run 2013

For the second year (I think) my parents have participated in the 727 DAV Poker Run. A friend of mine and her brother (who was deployed with the 727th) have been involved with this organization for years.

 

A little bit about the poker run...

 

The 727 DAV Poker Run is a charitable organization founded to support South Dakota Disabled American Veteran's Transportation Network. 

 

The 727 DAV Poker Run was originally founded by members of the 727 Transportation Company located out of Brookings, Elk Point, and Watertown, SD. Upon return from deployment in 2004, the members of the 727 Transportation Company (now deactivated) and their families wanted to do something to give back to their fellow veterans. Therefore, they decided to hold an annual poker run, held on Labor Day weekend of each year, and give all proceeds to the DAV Transportation Network.

Since the very first poker run in 2005, the 727 DAV Poker Run has raised nearly 40 thousand dollars and afforded the Brookings local DAV Chapter to purchase a new vehicle to transport veterans back and forth to the Veteran's Hospital in Sioux Falls for appointments.

 

The poker run was right after the Color Dash, so mom suggested that I take the kids out to see all the bikes. We went to The Pheasant to watch, giving us a fantastic view of all the bikes coming up the hill on South Main. It was pretty awesome!

 

Waiting for the bikes to come, wearing her Harley Davidson shirt!

{My parents are cooler than your parents}

The first bikers

The kids loved seeing all the bikers and LOVED that they were all waving to us!

Most of them revved their engines as they passed us, which was very cool and very loud!

Waving to all the bikers as they passed.

I think they waved to every single one. And there were a lot!

Here comes Grandma & Grandpa!

Blowing kisses and waving to us!

I love this picture!!

 

I'm so glad that mom suggested we go out and watch. The kids thought it was pretty cool and we all loved it. We will definitely be out again next year (the 10th anniversary of the poker run) to watch all the bikers again and support this wonderful cause!

Color Dash 2013

The Color Dash 5k came to Brookings this Labor Day weekend and my parents were among the many participants.

 

It was a fundraiser for a local gal that has Myasthenia Gravis and proceeds from the run, over $5,000, will go to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

 

{Myasthenia Gravis is an auto-immune disease which affects the neuromuscular system.}

 

Before the run

So clean and white.

Adding some color before the start.

Grandpa got Preston's face.

Samantha's ready to rock the run!

Grandma got Lilli Jo's cheeks!

And they're off!

High-fives waiting for our runners

Runners in training

Here they come!

So colorful!

Jack even came out to support the runners!

 

The run started at the soccer complex and went along the bike path, so we weren't able to see the color stations along the way.

But even has spectators, we were covered in color!! It was showers all around when we got home!

Big Girl Bed for a Big Girl

 

Lilli Jo upgraded to a big girl bed about a week ago.

The transition has been excellent!

She doesn't get up when we put her to bed or when she goes down for a nap.

Now she just needs to figure out that she can get out of bed on her own when she wakes up.  :)

Watch Me Grow!

Lilli Jo at two years ...

23 lbs

32 1/2 inches

Lilli Jo's Birthday Party

Lilli Jo's birthday party was Saturday. It was a gorgeous day... until the party started. Then it rained. But a little rain wasn't going to stop us from having a good time!

 

We're enjoying the days of small, family parties until we have to invite half the town.

{Given the social butterflies my children are, I don't feel like this is an exaggeration.}

 

Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate this little girl with us!!

 

Lilli Jo loves her bubbles

The boys

Allie Jean

{I still can't believe she's a first grader!}

Dustin's ribs.

I can't even explain how good these were!

Lilli Jo & Grandma Mary

Lilli Jo is wearing her new beachcomber Ft. Myers shirt!

Time for presents!

She really liked the cards. :)

Super-cute clothes from Grandma & Grandpa

And bubbles!!

Everyone was excited about the bubbles.

The girls

More presents

Thanks Aunt Jessica & Uncle Matt!

BUBBLES!!!!

Lilli Jo's sand cake that I made.

{It's just like a dirt cake, only you use golden Oreos instead}

Blowing out the candles.

 

It was a great day with some pretty great people.

We can't wait to celebrate Lilli Jo's birthday with Dustin's family this weekend!!

Lilli Jo is 2!!

Two years ago, our family became complete with the addition of a beautiful baby girl.

Today, this little girl is full of sugar AND spice.

She's smart, funny, spunky, dramatic ... and cuter than any little girl should be!

 

We cannot imagine our lives without her and love her so much more than she will ever know!

 

When asked what today was, Lilli Jo's reply was "2!"

 

Breakfast smiles!

 

{I love that top photo!!}

More smiles after breakfast.

 

{The second one is the typical smile I get from Lilli Jo when I try to take her picture.}

 

Lilli Jo had a fun-filled day at daycare. There was swimming and she brought rice krispy treats - with sprinkles - to share.

She got a super-cute puppy (not real) from Abbie and Grandma Cooper (Abbie's grandma).

 

We took the birthday girl to Guadalajara's tonight for supper.

Taco night has become a favorite in our house.  :)

She loved the chips.

Showing off her "birthday"

 

{Thanks Aunt Cole!}

Then there was some pouting.

I can't even tell you why. Maybe because Preston sat by her?

 

There was a brief tear-filled fit. That was fun.

It was soon over and we were back to smiling!

 

{See the tears?}

She can be quite animated!

And of course, fried ice cream!

 

Now we get ready for the birthday party on Saturday!

 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lilli Jo!!