Halli's 9th birthday

I'm behind, just like always! A month ago, our sweet girl turned 9. I can't believe she'll be in double digits soon!! Time is going way too fast with this sweet lady.  

We kept birthdays pretty low key this year. Just a couple presents in the morning with breakfast, dinner with the family that evening. She chose Olive Garden and Grandma & Grandpa Williams joined us for that, then it was home for cake and ice cream and of course more presents!

She is WAY into mermaids, and I found a company online that makes mermaid tails. So the picture may be blurry, but this was her FAVORITE gift, and she couldn't wait to try it out!

She is just growing up before our eyes. I'm constantly amazed by this girl and who she is becoming. Yes she has her moments when she's not the best little Halli ever, but she is still a kid.:) But for the most part she is so responsible, and smart, and talented, I just can't believe how lucky we are to have her in our family.  We're especially lucky to get to have her be such an amazing example to all her younger siblings, they will learn so much from her!

She requested a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting. I kinda had to make the frosting up as I went along, but the kids all seemed to like it, so I'll assume that means it worked!:) 

That's getting to be quite a few candles there! 

After we sang and sang some more the kids dove in to take out the candles and eat the strawberries. I love this little brood we have, and I love how much they really do love each other most days!:) 

Halli is in fourth grade this year, she's in the school choir which means she has to go to school early twice a week for rehearsals. She's joined year round swim this year, (her first meet is next weekend actually. I'm not sure if I would rather go being huge pregnant, or have this baby! I guess we'll just see what this baby decides to do!) her practices for that are three evenings a week, and she also has activity days, and homework, and she needs time to just play as well. This is one busy girl, but she loves every minute of all of it!

I can't believe we have a 9 year old, and especially this awesomely talented and beautiful one. We're some super lucky parents!

First day of school

Three weeks ago, (has it really been that long already?), we had the first day of the new school year. I've gotta say, so many of my friends were dreading this first day. Not me. Kevin's busy time is the summer, so he's gone a bunch. I am just getting bigger and more tired and uncomfortable every day, and the kids were starting to fight...alot. I was kinda ready. Not for the schedule, and rushing out the door in the morning, but ready for the kids to have something else to do besides rely on me for entertainment every day. 

I know, I'm a slacker mom sometimes. 

Luckily, it wasn't like I was shoving them out the door, these three little ladies were beyond excited to get started. 

We were ready for school bright and early, and all three of them were super anxious to get the day going! There's so much excitement and anxiety about that first unknown day. They all handled it fairly well though!

I know I'm slightly biased, but I think I might just have some of the most gorgeous girls ever!:) 

I mean really, you can't look at these faces and not just wanna squeeze their little cheeks, and hug em to pieces!:) Well, maybe you can, but I sure can't!

Kevin was able to hang back from work for the morning and help me escort these kiddos to their new classrooms. Halli LOVES how fun her new teacher is, but what girl wouldn't love a teacher that decorated her room with hot pink, lime green and zebra print? Seriously, its everywhere in there!:) 

I didn't get a hug or goodbye from Halli. She rushed into the classroom, put her stuff away and got started right away on her paper. I had to chase her down for a last hug and goodbye. Then I snapped this picture from the doorway. Then, I called her name so I could get another picture with her looking at me.  It turned out way blurry, but she wasn't smiling and was pretty embarrassed that I did that to her. I got a total annoyed look from her! My baby is growing up and doesn't want mom and dad around...sad day!:(

Next we took Peyton to her kindergarten class. Sometimes I think its better if I'm not around. She was trying to hold it together, but I could tell she was on the verge of tears. I couldn't leave without knowing she was okay, but I think the longer I sat there the worse it got. She was just so nervous, I knew by the end of the day she'd be fine, but man, it's so hard to leave your child for 7 hours when they're so sad! I debated going up for lunch to make sure she was alright, but figured that would just make it all worse again. 

Luckily dad was there. She didn't really stop crying, but I think he helped her feel brave more than I did. He's so great at letting the kids know we love them, but also letting them go so they know they can do things on their own too. We tried to linger in the hall, I didn't want to leave till I knew she was okay, but it was getting too late and we finally had to just trust that she'd be fine.

Man, those first days of school are rough. The great news was she made a new friend in her class, and ended up having a fantastic day. She was super excited to go back the next day and hasn't hesitated at all since. Just those first day fears coming through!!

After seeing how sad Peyton was, Lexie was telling me she was so shy and would be shy at her new preschool too. The last word I'd ever use to describe Lexie is shy. Shows how much the example from older siblings can sink in! She was SO excited to finally get to go to school like her sisters, and bonus her buddy from church is in her class too, that always helps!

She was excited to get the day going, and when I picked her up after school she told me she wasn't shy, and that Peyton should just be like her and not be shy. Those two have such opposite personalities in some things, its hilarious! She absolutely loves school and wishes she could go every day like her sisters. She's always a little bummed on the days when she stays home with me...should I be offended?:) 

All in all, we love school. We're getting into the swing of it, and I already strongly dislike the morning routine. Its just a little rough to get out of bed and get going some days! But when you have a bunch of morning people in your family, it makes getting up with all their smiling faces just a little easier. At least, that's what I tell myself!

July 4th weekend, day 2! (yes, I'm way behind!)

Over a month ago, while we were at the lake house for the fourth of July, Halli got to test out the new wakeboard. That girl was in heaven!

I'm just going to warn you now, there are ALOT of pictures ahead. a lot of them are of my awesome family showing their feats of athleticism though, so I feel totally entitled to brag them up and show them off!:) 

I remember when I had legs that looked like Halli's. You know, the non pregnant kind that were totally muscular!:) Seriously, when she is wake boarding her legs look so dang toned and strong, but that's cause they are!:)

Lexie is typically totally content on the boat, hanging out with whoever is there. On this trip, she got grandma, what's better than that?

After Halli had her turn, Kevin took Peyton for her first spin at wake boarding. She didn't really want to go, so we bribed her with shrimp. She loves the stuff, and was very eager to try knowing that she'd get her reward at the end. 

Luckily her dad is awesome and they didn't fall, so she caught the bug and now loves to wakeboard too. Not by herself, but with her dad. Maybe next year we'll try it on her own, we'll see!:)

After Peyton went, Lexie decided she was big enough to try it too. There she is floating in the water with her dad, ready to go! Unfortunately, this was the only shot I was able to get. It was hilarious actually! She just slid right through his legs when he stood up. He got up and kinda looked around, shocked that she was gone! I couldn't stop laughing, but unfortunately, it scared her too much so she's done with the wakeboard for awhile!:)

Then of course the big guy had to have his own turn! He's getting pretty dang good considering his first time was just a couple summers ago! Not only that, but he looks dang good doing it!;)

Halli was well rested by then, and had to go again. This time getting brave enough to go outside the wake. It may not look big, but that thing is scary when your flying through the water!

Yes, she's awesome and she knows it! She wants all her friends to go to the lake with us so they can see her go!

JJ just loves hanging out on the boat, especially when it's with some boys, and who's better than grandpa? 

Once we were done with the wakeboard it was time to pull out the tubes. Who doesn't love tubing?

Well, sometimes Peyton doesn't, but she's getting braver for sure!

Grandpa was having a hard time, and Halli thought it was hilarious. She spends so much time on the water, I think she's going to have a hard time when all the little kids get bigger and she has to take turns!

Kevin was determined to get these two off the tube.

He got one of them, and Halli was loving that she stayed on!

I love this man. Really I do. Especially when I get him to myself for a whole weekend.:) 

These two have the best time together.  Always pushing the limits!

Everything's more fun with dad, right?

After all the fun on the lake, we headed in to cool down and take some naps, because that evening, Kevin had a race to compete in. He's getting ready for summer of seals, and found a race just outside of Austin that would be a good little practice for how he's doing. It's called the 5 series race. it's a 500m open water swim, followed by a 5k run. Just the two events, but it was at 6pm in July in Texas, so it took it's toll! 

The only thing he's ever done like this is seals, so he was a little nervous going in. Especially because it was an open water swim. 

They do this same race on the 5th of every month, so it isn't huge, but there was a pretty good turnout.

I tried to take pictures of him swimming, but honestly I had no idea where he was amidst all those heads in the water. Until he was almost to the shore, I wasn't sure where he was. He said the open water swim was brutal. He couldn't tell where he was, there were no breaks, and it was just tough.

I think this face says it all.

Then he took his time during transition, trying to catch his breath.

And off he goes, for a three mile loop around the lake. There was basically no shade the entire time either!

Just as he's leaving for a nice little run!:) Doesn't he look happy to be on his way?

And here he is coming into the finish. Very glad to be done! The winner of the race wins $500, and apparently it's the same guy every month! 

It was hot, and I think a little harder than he thought, but he did great! 

Yep, I love this tough guy of mine, and I can't wait to join him in a few competitions next year when I'm a little more in shape and a little less pregnant!:)