THREE-OH!

For as long as I can remember as a kid, 30 was OLD. Everyone looked as "old" as my mom, and I knew my mom was 30. I can remember "looking back" at when I was younger (like when I was 8) and how different things were "back then." Now... looking back means a whole generation ago! I don't know how you're supposed to feel at 30, but I definitely don't "feel" 30. If anything... it's just WEIRD. Once I get past the awkwardness of my current age, I am so content and happy to be the BIG THREE-OH!

For my birthday, we spent it at one of my favorite places to be with my kids... the OKC Zoo! The weather was PERFECT, my company was even better!

The start of our journey at the zoo!

THE BABY GIRAFFE!!!!!

He looks so tiny, but he's really 6 ft tall!

in good company :)

and there were BABY Hogs!

my BABY is so big!

Gorillas

the BABY gorilla (born in Feb.) is still so tiny!

TIGER

Da-Bears

elk

my favorite monkeys!

The next day (my actual birthday) was just as nice, and now Daddy was on Fall Break too! So the whole family went back to the zoo! What a GREAT birthday!

I'm so excited!

Tiger

what a beautiful animal!

go tigers!

snow leopard

a rainbow!

hungry elephants

hungry gorilla

sleepy boy :)

next the kids were off to a friends house

Our friends offered to watch our kids so we could have a date night. We chose to stay in and cook a candle-lit dinner for two. We made quite the dinner! Then to top it off, we had cake made by Chef Daddy and kids.

I know how I feel at 30... and that is pretty blessed! Looking forward to what this decade has in store for us!

Needs a loan

The tooth fairy needs a loan! Miss K lost her 2nd tooth a week after her first! It started to feel wiggly on our drive back home from the wedding weekend in Michigan. Then right before we left for school Kaitlyn shouts, "Mommy! My tooth fell out when I was brushing my teeth!"

October 8, 2013, 2nd tooth falls out :)

Little sister becomes a Mrs.

October 5, 2013. The day my little sister married Mr. LaFond. She was a stunning bride, and the day was perfect (even with showers in the forecast)!

fancy shoes!

There are more pictures on Facebook. I don't know how I  managed to only get a FEW pictures?!?! I was also enjoying the moment :) Congrats little sister and welcome to the family little bro! ;)

A new window!

When I dropped Kaitlyn off at school, I told her teacher that I would be back around 9:30am to PAL (make copies) for her. By the time I got back to the classroom (45 minutes later) Kaitlyn said to me, "Mommy! I have a wiggly tooth!" I was surprised that in 45 minutes how much could change! She sure was excited :)

The next day, we were Skyping with Aunt Amy, Hannah, Micah and Levi. We were talking about her wiggly tooth. She said it was too slippery to pull out. So I got her a warm washcloth to help with the grip. Hannah was encouraging her to pull it out! She asked me to try to pull it. I put the washcloth over the tooth, and POP! It was out! It was so neat to share this LIVE with her cousins! Hannah was so excited for her too!

First tooth out on Oct 1, 2013! She got a $1 from the tooth fairy too!

Spiderman

This is a VERY early Halloween costume. I got it at a 2nd time around shop when I was getting pants for the kids. I thought I put it in a good hiding spot, but Kaitlyn found it and gave it to Jacob right away! It ended up being fine because Jacob LOVES it. He put it on in the morning, ran errands with me wearing it, and even fell asleep in it!

 He sure is quite a cute super hero :)

You can imagine when he woke up we asked, "Are you tired this morning Jacob? Did you save the world last night from the Lizard?" He woke up with a big smile for sure!

First Day of School '13-'14

Kaitlyn's first day of KINDERGARTEN!
Aug 20, 2013. (ALL DAY school!)

special pink pancakes for the first day of school :)

ready to go!

Kaitlyn is still doing gymnastics! Here's a short video on what she's doing at the beginning of the year

Jacob's first day of PRE-SCHOOL
Aug 27, 2013 (only Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-11:30, with the occasional extended day 2:30)

Kaitlyn getting a picture of his first day of school on her leap pad :)

Cocoa Wheats was the request of this boy's first day of school breakfast

ready to go, and so excited!