Monday, August 31, 2015

August 2015

Our August started off as a hard one.  Dad was recovering from his stroke as Kristin, John and the baby were packing to leave for St. Louis.  On August 1st, Kristin and John headed out.  We helped them in some very last minute packing of their home, and their departure was delayed a bit because of that same kind of packing, but then they were off.  I will tell you that it was one of the hardest things ever to say good bye.  I think the realization of how permanent this move is was the most difficult to accept and knowing the challenges that she is going to have coming up, was hard.







Just some more end of summer fun!!!

Swimming with the DeClue Family


Snyder PTO helped us show for the new year!


Off to Splashtown!

Colson is obsessed with American Ninja Warrior and wants to practice his skills all the time!

Beginning of the year dinner

Out for Robert's birthday


Happy 40th Anniversary to the best mom and dad a girl could have!!!
Brooklyn got to go on a camp out with the Girl Scouts this month.  They visited Jellystone Yogi Bear Park which is about an hour away and got to stay in cabins there.  They got to do crafts, swim, and play all through the 3 days they were there!

Brooklyn, Sarah, Christin, Karianne, Isabel





















While Curt and I return to work each year, my parents find a fun trip in Texas to take the kids on.  This year they took Brooklyn and Colson to San Antonio.  They had fun on the River Walk, the Alamo, the pool at the hotel, Ripley's Believe it or Not, Wax Museum, and dinner with Ed and Nikki Lee.  We are so blessed to have my parents close and their love for the kids.  They look forward to this week every year!
Texas Alamo








Ed, Nikki and Colson



When the kids got  back, they got to go Meet their Teachers at Lemm Elementary.  We are beginning the 4th grade with Mrs. Foster and 2nd grade with Mrs. Postma and Mr. Orcutt.  We know nothing about Mrs. Foster but know and love Postma and Orcutt because Brooklyn had them in second grade.  It should be a great year filled with learning and growing!!

Colson and Mrs. Postma

Colson and Mr. Orcutt

Brooklyn and Mrs. Foster


FIRST DAY OF 4TH AND 2ND GRADE!

My first day of school too!!!!
My wonderful partners Kellie and Penny

Friday, July 31, 2015

July 2015


 Our July was action packed with ups and downs.  It was a crazy month with so many changes in our personal lives, but we have known all along that God is in control and will take care of our family no matter what.  Now for the recap!
We found a new love for rock climbing at a place about 5 minutes from the house.  It is called INSPIRE ROCK and it is the best!  The people there were very wonderful and helpful with it being our first time at their climbing gym.  Colson went alone with us the first time because Brooklyn was at camp and then Brooklyn joined later in the month when we went back.  Such a great workout and a fun time as a family!










Bouldering is a favorite of Curt and the kids...I prefer the other!

Our nation's birthday was spent this year with the Moffitt family on their street.  They have the perfect little house, on the perfect little street, in the perfect little section of Spring Trails....I picked their house for them!  They have great neighbors that have little ones and the kids had a blast riding cars, playing bball, splashing in the sprinkler, riding bikes, and popping poppers!
Thank you for a great time!















July is a big birthday month in our immediate family and on both sides of our family!  The Lewis clan celebrated at our house for Mimi, Colson, and Brooklyn, and the Alford clan celebrated at Mia Bella for brunch in honor of Chris, Brooklyn and Colson!  It was awesome!!!

Colson's reaction was priceless when he saw that Brooklyn got a Kindle Fire!

She was so surprised


Colson loves his basketball goal!

This sweet boy loves his Uncle Curt

Cutest kids around!  Brooklyn had camp today for her last day, so she is looking scruffy!


Kiki loved her gift from me!  An Oragami Owl necklace!

I Love this kid!

Birthday boys!


Colson got a bb gun




B loved her camera

And her clothes....of course!
The kids always have their choice of dinner on their birthday!  This year they made great choices once again!  Panera for Colson because he wanted their tomato soup and Torchy's tacos for Brooklyn!  I love that our kids rarely choose a "kid" spot to eat!  They are so good!







Surprise Van Gogh painting pillowcase for Brooklyn from Mrs. Judi Hillman!  It was so sweet of her to think of Brooklyn...she misses her sweet Mrs. Judi so much!
We ALWAYS have summer projects going on!  Curt is teaching Brooklyn how to work hard!  This is just one project.  The bathroom in the extra restroom has new paint and all new fixtures.


Outdoor mudroom done!!!
Colson had a birthday sleepover for the first time ever!  He wanted STAR WARS to be his theme and he was allowed to invite 5 friends.  Three were able to come and boy did they have a blast!  Thank you Marshall, Ethan and Levi for making it great!














Colson's reaction when his friends had to leave

Party favors!















We were invited to go camping this summer with the Moffitt family at Lone Star Yogi Bear Park once again!  It was great!  It was busy, but didn't seem as crazy as last year on the 4th of July.  We enjoyed our time in the pool, on the water slide, doing water wars, listening to karaoke and just riding our bikes around!































Skating and playdate with Halle, Heath, and Kason!

On the way home from the playdate, I got a call from my sister crying that something had happened to dad.  She said that she arrived at their house to pick up the baby and dad is speaking gibberish and not able to get out anything except for, "Hey Buddy!" to the baby.  They had called the ambulance and they had just arrived.  They expected that he had a stroke.  They took him to St. Luke's in The Woodlands because the have a stroke care unit filled with drs and nurses that take care of only stroke patients.  I was so worried.  I dropped the kids off with Curt and went to the hospital with mom, Kristin, and the baby.  It turns out he had a transition stroke and later tests showed that he has had 7-10 in the past 5 years.  After 4 days in the hospital he was released.  We truly have the greatest friends that came up to visit us while dad was in the hospital.  He is having difficulty still getting his blood regulated as far as thickness.  He is going to the cardiologist 2 times a week until it is taken care of and he will have follow up surgeries and meetings with the neurologist also.





It was so hard to go visit Granny and tell her about Dad's stroke.  She was so upset....broke my heart.
On July 11, Kristin came to our house crying.  She told us that she and John had been transferred to St. Louis.  It was all happening very fast.  They were due to move on July 31 or Aug 1.  I was devastated as were the kids.  She was very sad also.  This state is all she has every known.  They got married on July 29th and pulled out on August 2nd after a very difficult packing situation.  They got married in a very small family ceremony at the courthouse and mom booked a dinner reservation for us at The White Flamingo.  It was a nice dinner and she looked beautiful.  I am just so sad to be losing my sister to St. Louis!




Childhood friends got together a dinner for Kristin before she leaves!

Ready for Kiki's wedding








Love her




My favorite little baby!!!
HAIRCUT time!!!



Only 3 inches gone!
Dinner with the Heemers!



Meagan has been in town several times for her dad's cancer treatments in Houston.  It has been great getting to see her and the kids.











SOAKED up every moment I could with my sweetie before he left for St. Louis!