ACCEPTED!

That's right! I've been accepted to the graduate program at Virginia Tech for the fall. I'll be working on my Masters of Education with a concentration on Career and Technical Education and Marketing. I'm only going to take 1-2 classes at a time so it will probably take me about three years to complete but with a full time job and two kids at home I don't think that's too bad! We still have some things to work out...mainly financial aid...but everything has gone very smoothly so far and I'm very excited. Of course I'll be doing most of my classes online since I don't live near the main campus but they have a satellite campus here I can attend classes at when necessary. I guess I'll have to find room in my heart for the Hokies but don't worry ODU fans...deep down I'll always be a Monarch and I can't wait for football season to begin!!!

Visions of the Future!

Izabel loves to "talk" on the phone. She'll walk around with the phone to ear just jabbering away and if you are on the phone she runs over to talk but then won't say anything. We've given her several toy phones but she only wants to play with the real ones that actually work! Now it looks like she has learned how to text and would rather do that than talk. Sorry if you've received any strange messages! It looks like we'll be in for it when she's old enough for a cell phone!

My Little Monkey!

www.thejumpinmonkey.com

Today we went with Rebecca and a play group to The Jumpin Monkey at Lynnhaven. They have a bunch of inflatables, a toddler zone, a dress up room, a boys play room and a girls play room. Izabel had a blast running all around playing with the toys. She wasn't always the best at sharing but that's why it is important to me to get her out on these play dates so she can learn these social skills. She was mostly just interested in playing with the toddler toys but she did jump and slide quite a bit. The girls play room had dolls, kitchens, a rocking chair, and a table and chairs which she thought was great. She had a blast going down one of the big inflatable slides but she couldn't climb up by herself so I got a workout pushing her up over and over! Tanner and Rylee sat with Rebecca's mom for most of the time we were there. Izabel could have played a lot longer but after a little over an hour I was exhausted and it was time to go. We will definitely be back though!

They had one inflatable that was just for kids 2 and under

so I didn't have to worry about big kids jumping on Izzy!

She loved the rocking horse

One of the smaller inflatable slides that she could do on her own

RJ after coming down the smaller slideDriving around in the coupe car...this was the one thing she did not want to share!

Rebecca's mom taking care of Tanner and Rylee while we chased RJ and Izzy around! Thank you so much for your help!

WOW!

Today we met Rebecca, RJ, Rylee and Rebecca's Mom at The Botanical Gardens to go to the World of Wonders. It's a children's park within the park and it has a big water park area with fountains for the kids to play in. They have other things for the kids but we didn't get any further than the fountains today. Izabel had a blast playing in the water and of course she didn't want to leave. Her hat wouldn't stay on so I will be looking for a new one with a strap (which she will hate) and she had to borrow crocs from RJ since I still haven't found any her size! These are two things we'll have to find and soon if we are going to be visiting all of these water attractions all summer! We plan to go back to WOW lots and we're hoping to visit Ocean Breeze a few times if Aunt Theresa can get us some tickets! If you know of any other fun and cheap outdoor play places let us know and take the time to visit WOW if you can!

Izabel and RJ checking everything out!
How does the water feel?
Trying to figure out where it is coming from
This is so much fun!
A bigger picture of the play area
Tanner just watching the big kids play! He liked sitting up like a big boy!

Happy Father's Day!

Noah had to work for Father's Day so we spent our afternoon at my Dad's house. We cooked out and watched Toy Story which Izabel thought was so funny! My brothers and sister and I all went in on a new printer for Dad. Izabel helped him open his cards and present and Tanner just watched everyone. We had a really nice afternoon. I brought the kids home so Izzy could get a nap and I could make dinner before Noah came home. We had some yummy shepards pie for dinner and Izabel gave Noah his presents. He got a new water bottle for work, headphones for his ipod and two card games. Izabel also drew him a picture at Sunday school. After that it was baths and bed! Not too exciting of a day here but it was a nice day and we had a great weekend overall!

Granddaddy and Tanner

Izzy helping Granddaddy open his cardsGrandma and Tanner watching Granddaddy open his present

Such a happy boy!Daddy's Father's Day Presents

Izabel giving Daddy his presents

Kisses for Daddy!

We love Daddy!

Still a happy boy!

Happy Birthday Blair!

Yesterday we took Izabel and Tanner to Blair's first birthday party! There were tons of kids there and Izabel had a blast. Tanner was a little overwhelmed but a long as we were holding him he was fine. Blair got tons of great presents and didn't mind at all when the other kids "helped" her play with them. She opened a few and then pretty much gave up and Michelle finished for her. She had a ducky cake that was so cute and she was very neat while eating her piece. It was pretty hot and there were a lot of people but I think everyone had a good time! We even got to see Courtney and Austin who just got married and moved back from Georgia! We're so glad we got to share your special day with you Blair! We hope you had a great time and we are looking forward to playing with you lots this summer!!!

Time for presents...you gotta love that hat!

Blair likes the bow, the other kids like the toys and Michelle is opening the presents!

Nick was throwing the tissue paper for the dog to shred!

Time for some yummy cake!She didn't make a mess at all! What kind of 1 year old is she???

After the party we had a few people over to cookout and swim in the pool since it was finally ready! My friend Candace brought her son Drew over. He is three and Izabel had a great time playing with him. It was so cute! RJ may have some competition now!!! Izabel loved swimming in the pool and was so mad when we made her get out for dinner. She fell asleep in her high chair but when we got her out she woke up and wanted to get back in the pool. We thought she would sleep great when she finally went to bed but she woke up twice in the middle of the night! I can't remember the last time she didn't sleep at least 10 hours straight but she didn't get a nap yesterday and there was a lot going on so I think she was a bit over tired! Overall Noah and I both agreed that we had a really nice day together as a family!

Time to cool off with Daddy
Eating watermelon with Drew...these will be great blackmail pictures when they are older!
Love this pic of Drew! He was giggling because the jet was tickling his tummy!
Candace and Tanner laughing at Drew
Izabel trying to get tickled by the jet too!
Izzy was trying to give Drew kisses and he was swimming away! I think we're in trouble!!!