Catching up...

smiling even though she is one of the only teens in the place! this was her favorite activity listening closely! building stuff Logan and Elias climbing around

Enjoying chalk... Kate Logan and Hailey peanut butter anyone? We'll lick the cracker clean we promise! My boys trying...to no avail...

waiting for fireworks lounging on the 4th of July sleepy Jack awaiting the cool colors and noise of the holiday girls swimming...by the way...you may call those pink things goggles, but the real name (according Hailey) is GOBBLES

We started out our month with a 4th of July Celebration in Pfugerville with Scotty, Laura, and kids. It was at a lake there and we saw great views of the fireworks right in front of us. We all decided to go back next year and bbq before...until we had to catch the shuttle back and stood in line for over an hour...we've decided to watch fireworks from home next year!

We spent two days at the lake. One day the kids and I went with our friend Kate and her son Logan. One day the kids went with mom and dad. Elias and Hailey like to help daddy fish. Hailey and I got to go out on Kate's boat as well...she loved the wind in her hair and looking at all of the things to do on the lake.

This month we've spent a lot of time at Raddijazz, with water activities only in the beginning of the month. Elias had his circumcision done mid-July. Some may say that was late, but he was too little when he was born (Frank wants me to mention it was because of him being premature, nothing to do with manliness). He did amazingly well and was back in action later that same day - just no water for about 3 weeks total.

Hailey turned four on the 18th, so we celebrated with dogs and burgers with lots of friends. There was a showing of Horton Hears a Who on her b-day in the park. Mia, Laura, and their friends Benjamen and Sharon joined us for a nice summer evening of movies and fun. Mia actually sang Happy B-Day to Hailey in the microphone in front of the whole crowd. We were very impressed with Mia's braveness and Hailey felt very special.

We also went to the Children's Museum to discover. Hailey's favorite part was the register, Elias loved the noise, and Ashley, well...she helped me a lot because it's not really discovery for teens! They had a special exhibit on sound so there were lots of instruments and noisemakers to explore....and there was no shortage of Advil for mommy!

Ashley starts band full-time tomorrow so will be beat and sweaty a lot in the next few weeks! I have also been back at work a few days for trainings and setting up my room. I am changing schools this year and grade levels- 5th to 4th and school is 7 minutes from home vs. 25-30. I am so excited and happy to be closer! The little ones daycare is very close to me so Frankie is excited that I will be doing drop off and pick up now. My school is also right behind Ashley's, so it's just more convenient all the way around.

Elias has started to say more words. His favorite word is "AAADDDOOO". If you can't figure that out...it's ASHLEY! He says it a lot and chases her around. If she's not home then he runs around yelling it and looking for her! He does about 4 different signs for what he needs or wants, mostly having to do with food - he has priorities! Hailey can almost write her name and she practices it a lot. Her vocabulary is huge and she learns more words all of the time. One of Hailey's favorite activities is to listen to music on the computer with Ashley. Ashley always makes sure to find their favorites and turn it up very loud...all in the name of entertaining the young one of course! =-)

We are leaving on Wed. for Galveston, so I will post more when we get back. The kids are all excited to go to a beach! We know, it won't be as pretty as the ones we've lived at, but we have to settle for something! Enjoy the pictures...