First Day of School

So, today was the first day of school.  I should be putting an exclamation point on that, but I was not excited.  I am going to miss my boys.  So is Jill.  She has no idea what is in store for her.

But here are some cute pictures of the drop off.  Mom held back the tears, but only until the boys couldn't see!

Josh, clearly thrilled to be at school.

Big Bro helps him out.

With Ms. Ramey.  Who wouldn't be smiling now?

Jake wouldn't allow us in the room, so this was the best I could do.

Baby Jay is here!

Jake, Josh and Jill have a new cousin!

Jay Andrew Squillante arrived Aug 21 at 5:38 am.  Mommy (and Daddy) was tired, but thrilled.  He is 20 inches long and 7 pounds.

I went up to the hospital at 3:30 am to await his arrival.  I took the rest of the fam the next afternoon to visit.  So cute.  They loved meeting him.  Except Jill, who just wanted her Auntie Courtney to herself.

He was so gung ho to hold him.  He is a natural now!

Josh was more nervous but excited.

Jill was happy to have Jay removed from "her" spot!

Now, after seeing the babies in the nursery, Jill seems like she might want to get close.

And then she didn't want to let go!

Our family with Jay.

Jill and Courtney share a snack before leaving.  I think she just wanted some Boppy action.

Jill Swims!

So, when we were at the pool this afternoon, Jill started swimming from the steps to me, all by herself!  It was so exciting and we managed to get a video.  In this video she chooses to skip mom and go to GranDeb.

California 2010 - Surfing

So, Jake, Josh, Michelle and I took surfing lessons on our trip.  Deb and Justin watched Jill and took video.  I had the waterproof digital camera with me to take lots of cool pics.  Which I did.  But then a wave ripped the camera off the strap off my wrist and there went the pictures.  I was so sad.  So, we don't have a ton, but here are some pretty good ones of us riding the waves.

The gang (with our instructor Evan) heading out to surf.

Josh's first try.  I never got him standing since we lost the camera.

Jake riding the waves.

I was a little excited!  I didn't think I would be able to do it.

Heading back up the beach.

Jake the surfer dude.

Then the boys had to help mom out of her ridiculously tight wetsuit!

California 2010, LegoLand

So we had a total blast on our trip to Hermosa Beach, California for a sunny vacation and to see my littlest sis, Michelle.  It is going to take several updates to get all the pics posted but here is one of the big highlights.  We went to LegoLand in Carlsbad, CA.  It is north of SD and was about a 1 1/2 hour drive from our condo.  The boys loved it and so did Jill.  It is probably as close as you can get to Heaven on Earth for Jake, my resident Lego nut.  He aspires to work for Lego one day designing new sets.  Exactly.  So, here are a few pics from our visit.  I have a few cute ones on the cell phone, too, that I will try to load.

Arriving...

Leaving...

Driving on the Lego Streets

Riding the Aqua Raiders ride.

Josh and Jill on Safari.

Jill on the Duplo playground.

The boys in MiniLand. So cool.

Swimming and Underwater pics!

So, we had Meemaw's 80th Birthday party last night.  I didn't get pics because my camera died, but I will try to get some and post them.

Beforehand, we went to Auntie Karen and Uncle Steve's house to swim and beat the traffic out 290.  3 PM vs 6 PM.  I felt like a genius.  But we had fun and used lots of energy before having to sit at dinner, so it was a win-win.

Here are pics from our fun time.  We took lots underwater this time and they turned out cool.  I heart my new underwater digital camera.  Thanks Costco Executive Membership.  I love you.

Kiki and Jill just chillin on the kickboard.

Jake giving Jill a piggyback ride.  This is her new favorite thing.

 

Josh jumping in.

 

Owen making his funny face.

Josh doing some Egyptian move.

Jake diving.  I just liked the bubbles.

Josh diving.  Don't worry, I already showed him this and told him to streamline!

Josh diving with the torpedo.  He loves this picture.

Jill.  It took us about 20 tries to get her face in an underwater picture!

Jill again, full face.  I wish I could convey how much she LOVES the water.  And jumping in and swimming and going under.  She completely holds her breath and come us so happy.  She is a fish!

Jill and Kiki.

Owen swimming.

4th of July Parade

Just some super cute pics of my kiddos at our neighborhood 4th of July parade.  It starts at the school and ends at the pool.

The kids with Cousin Owen.

MEET OF CHAMPS

So, this past weekend was Meet of Champs for our Swim League, The Memorial Spring Branch Swim League.  Both boys qualified and were expected to do well.

The meet was held at the Spring Branch ISD Natatorium, yes, my old stomping grounds, so it was fun for me to see them swim there again.

When it was all said and done, Josh came home with 2 4th places (after a devastating - to him mom - goggle mishap in the 25 Freestyle) in the 25 Free and Free Relay.

Jake won the 25 Free, the 25 Breaststroke and came in a very close 2nd in the Fly.  His relays were 2nd and 6th.

At the team party the next night both boys took home their Age Group MVP trophy, Josh in 6 & Under and Jake in the 7 & 8.

It was a very successful season and it is sad to be done with swim team, but kind of a relief as well.  Mom needs a break!

WAY TO GO BOYS!

Just Plain Funny

Let's just say, I have no clue what the heck is going on here.  Jill is wearing Jake's underwear on her head (she loves sticking her head through the holes).  Fortunately it came out of the clean laundry in the basket behind her.  She is also carrying the mosquito spray that I coat the yard with to make it safe to play in.  And lastly she is pushing her popper.  All while wearing her swimsuit.  I wish I knew what was going on in her head at this moment!

Swim Meets

Jake and Josh had their first swim meet of the year last night.  It was against Memorial Forest at Plaza Oaks.  The Piranhas won 600.5 to 587.5!  The boys were very excited and both had great nights.  Below are some videos of them swimming their hearts out!



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Chillin' in Cypress

So, my Aunt and Uncle have a really fun pool in their backyard and the kids beg all the time to go swim there.  So, since school is finally out and Kiki and Owen were headed in from Austin, we all met at Auntie Karen and Uncle Steve's house to go swimming. 

It was a hot day and the pool was nice and cold.  We ended up staying 3 hours!  We are a little pink, but had a blast.  Here are some pics.

 

 

 

 

Jill and Owen playing in the shallow area.

 

Josh, Daniel and Jake jump off the waterfall.

 

Owen, me, Josh, Jake and Daniel all go off.  Thanks Auntie Kiki for taking the pics!