School's Out for Summer!!!

...Kate's last day of Kindergarten!  Where did the time go?  Somehow, she is already a first grader now, but not before we get to keep her home all to ourselves for the summer.  We have never looked so forward to summer as we did this year, because we were finally going to have Kate and Jude home together for a couple of months.  It is amazing how much of the day kids in full day school are gone.  While Michael and I are certainly going to be glad to keep her home for some time, I think Jude is the most excited to have his sister all to himself.

Little bro also had his picture made at his last day of school at Asbury.  He looks like such a big boy in this picture.  He had a great year, and we love his school/our church soooooo much!  Jude again was a big hit with his teachers and made several new friends this year.

Another great thing about this year at Asbury is that one of my childhood friends, Jennifer, and her family moved to Tulsa and sent both girls to school with Jude and now attend the church.  It is so great to see them now!  Also, Kate and Jude love both girls and are looking forward to some summer play dates.

Jude Turns 3

...a whirlwind ride with having 2 kids.  In the last 3 years we have had so much fun with our little Jude.  He is the ultimate mommy's boy, and he has me wrapped around his little finger.  He loves music and says he wants to be a music man.  He loves to watch his sister dance, loves playing cars with his daddy,  adores his Granny more than life itself, has an incredible vocabulary, and is the life of any party.  He adores his big sister, but it's totally mutual.  Everyone she meets has to hear about her baby brother.

Over the last year he's had tubes...again, pneumonia...again, but has never missed a beat.  He once again attended Asbury UMC's preschool where he enjoyed music and art.  He learned is ABC's, learned how to use a slip and slide, developed a love for gardening, and loves to go to the Buffalo River and see his Aunt and Uncle.

The best thing he has done over the last year is truly learn to love Jesus.  Jude loves his church and loves to talk about Jesus.  He asks so many questions about his faith, thankfully Michael went to seminary because some of them are out of my league.

We are so blessed to have this little guy in our lives.

 Jude's birthday, May 20, 2011

 Jude's first birthday

First trip to the Buffalo river

 Jude's second birthday

There's something about being naked in the river!

 Just before he turned 3, proud of the flowers he planted

 Jude's 3rd birthday part, he just wanted to have it at his Granny's with his Pop and Papa Ron

Pageant Fun! What A Difference a Year Makes!

Last year Kate did her first pageant in Drumright (it was her last chance to qualify for state).  She did it, but was shy and timid.  She did have strep, but even without it would have been the same.  

 Kate and Emma at Kate's first pageant.

This year Kate went to the Drumright preliminary as a state queen.  She has had a year of fun with these girls.  She has grown more confident with each preliminary.  She loves to go and play with the girls, even thought she is all business when it comes to her queen duty.  This is exactly why we let her do pageant to begin with.  In just one year we have watched her gain confidence and poise.  

 Kate and Trinity...one of her favorite big girls

 Jude goes sometimes, but he really only likes to watch Kate dance.  He is for sure her biggest fan.

 Last year we couldn't bribe her to sit at the table with the girls.  Now we couldn't bribe her to sit with us!

This is how Jude feels about pageant days, but he loves the attention he gets from all the girls.

Recital 1 of 3 for 2014

...having a busy little dancer.  This year Kate began taking jazz/hip hop at Theater Arts.  She LOVES to dance and has improved so much this year.  She's been so busy dancing, in fact, that she has 3 recitals this year.

Her little group danced to "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'" from Teen Beach Movie.  It's one of Kate's favorite songs.

Spring Break 2014--Woolaroc Style

 Michael got to take a day off for Kate's Spring break so we set out for a new adventure.  We trekked up to Bartlesville to the home of Frank Phillips--Woolaroc.  I think I annoyed the kids with my endless singing of "Oklahoma Hills," but it only seemed appropriate.  I'm pretty sure Michael and I are just like the Griswalds.  Someday the kids will REALLY love it.

 Can you tell these 2 are best friends?  Jude was so happy to have is sissy home for the week.  I love watching how much they love each other.

 Kate got to see a cast of the Pioneer Woman statue that her Great Great Grandmother was part of commissioning.

 No you cannot have a pony!

Poop Cake!!!!!

 Jude has been the easiest kid in history to potty train.  One day I told him to wear underwear and that was about the extent of it.  Pooping took a little more bribery, but mainly just a cake.  I promised him a "poop" cake to celebrate his first BIG poop in the potty, not just those little ones, that are still awesome and celebrated, but not poop cake worthy.

 Can you tell he's excited about his Poop Cake?

Jude Loves Puppies!

 Jude loves puppies, stuffed and real.  In the picture above he's holding Halloween and Skock, his 2 favorite stuffed animals.  He loves to sleep with one or both of them.  When he sneaks in to our bed in the middle of the night he always has one of the them.  I love it.

 He also loves his real puppies, Sophie and Stanley, and they love him.  If they can catch him sitting still they jump in his lap!

 Stanley likes to wrestle though!