Gianna's First Day of Preschool!

Today Gianna our youngest started PRESCHOOL! Bittersweet for me-I am so excited for her and all of the experiences she is going to have, but also a little sad because she is our baby and now she is going to school. Time is flying, too fast, and I am trying to squeeze the most out of each moment. I ALSO started back teaching today-so while Gianna is in preschool I will be teaching reading and writing on those mornings. I get to drop her off, but not pick her up:(

Is this girl ready or what?? Look at those smiling, expectant eyes!

She was so excited to have her big brother in her first day of school picture with her! I love how much they love each other.

Faith Lutheran is where Dominic went, and now where Gianna is going. We love the family atmosphere here.

Gianna and Kinzley RAN to each other with arms open, ready to hug as we waited outside the preschool. They were so happy to see a familiar face!

Great friends starting school together!

Gianna in front of her cubby!

"Bye Mom!" She was having sooooo much fun playing that she had no problem with me leaving!

First Day of School Pictures!!

Today Dominic started First Grade...full days, lunch at school, and then only a couple hours together at night before bed:( He was nervous and thinking through all the practical things this morning. We walked the path he walk when I drop him off each morning.

He picked out his first day outfit last night...of course the skinny jeans! He is so handsome!!

Of course sister had to get in a picture with her big brother! She loves him so much. As we were driving away from the school we prayed for Dominic's day and then we had to pray an additional prayer just for her "sad heart" that Dom was gone.

Once we got all of his stuff put away in the right places and he sat down in his spot he got kind of goofy...that is what he does when he is nervous and something is new. This is the goofy face:)

Backyard Football...a lost American past-time!

I LOVE this look that Dom is giving Vinny! Tonight the boys were out back practicing for the upcoming football skills practice! (Dom is going to play Flag for the first time this year.)

Our goofy boy!

Apparently you can catch while your eyes are closed!!!

I could watch this boy forever. He is an extension of my heart...walking outside of my body.

Love these moments

Priceless

This girl LOVES her brother sooooo much!!!

Of course I had to jump in for a picture with the kids that LIGHT up my days!

Pure JOY captured!!! He is such a lover of life!!!

Summit Lake Fun with GREAT friends!

Love the feelings this picture conjures up...the lake is home for me.

The last day of summer for the 3 of them together...at the lake

Getting ready to do a back flip

Mid-air, and he landed it!!

Marissa and Anna...four of my best girlfriends and their families came out to start off LAbor Day weekend at the lake with a bbq and lots of fun! It was a perfect start to the weekend and end of summer celebration.

Finally Dom went in!!! So proud of him! He had to do it on his terms, in his time!

The Houk brothers

Having fun on the floating dock

Together again! These 2 get along so well and have such a good time together!

Jenni and Natalie

These are good days we're livin'!

Soul sisters!

All the girls on the dock!

Craziness in the hot tub! We definitely have to drain and put new water in after this FUN time!

The older crew...Dom, Zack, and Sam

Charlie, Anna, Gianna

Ending the evening by the fire roasting marshmallows while the kids roamed the hillside playing their games...perfect!

Hiking up on Lost Mountain

One of Vinny's favorite activities is going on a hike. They went hiking up on Lost Mountain on Sunday afternoon for several hours. Gianna and I took a nap:)

The Langston boys joined them on the hike too.

Craigslist Finds for the new house!!!

I have been searching Craigslist for furniture that we will need in the new house. The table and brown couch were supposed to go to someone else but the people never showed up so we ended up getting both of them!!! This table is from Pottery Barn and it is one serious piece of furniture! It extends even farther than in the picture with two leaves!!It will be perfect in our new home!!

I wanted a BIG table for gathering around with family and friends so this was a dream come true!

I drove to Seattle to get this velvety brown sofa on Saturday. Love the shape of the arms!! (the pillows came with the couch:)

We got this sofa for $125!! it is from Ikea and we can change the slipcover later on. This one will go into our upstairs bonus room!! Right now all three pieces are in our storage unit.