We Have Spirit!

 Monterey high school had its first pep rally Thursday morning.  First game of the year & one of our biggest rivals: Monterey Plainsmen Vs Coronado Mustangs. I brought Caroline to school with me so she could add to the cheering section & she LOVED it!

She held my hand on the teacher side line.  Everyone was really nice and let us stand in front so she could see.  As soon as the band started she stared dancing.  She normally is shy when she thinks people are watching her but she was in her own little world and she danced and spun in circles.  She clapped and yelled "yeeeaaahhhh!!"

She was fascinated with Monty {The plainsmen mascot} I wanted her to meet him but he disappeared before the pep rally was over.  He did this hilarious dance {It actually wasn't suppose to be funny but Caroline laughed through the whole thing}

Caroline & I with our pal Kristen.  

Our administer assistant in the J-N office has a daughter who is a cheerleader.  She was so sweet to let her try out the megaphone and pom poms.  Go Monterey!

 Friday:  Texas Tech had it's first game tonight!

Caroline got in the spirit by doing some cheers

Love our little Red Raider!!

School Starts Tomorrow

EVERY year I get so nervous for the first day of school -since kindergarten -25 years of getting nervous is ridiculous. So today I  put my clothes out, packed my lunch, set my bag by the door, checked my alarm and am wide awake at 10:45pm thinking about all the tasks I have to do tomorrow.  I will probably have a weird dream tonight....

  I have checked & rechecked  my senior's schedules & just for good measure I went back through their transcripts and made sure they have a chance to graduate.  They are in the right classes it is now up to them to pass.... 

Anyways on to more important things ....

We took Caroline to the park this evening.  I brought bubbles which were a HUGE hit with all the kids playing at the playground.  We watched the ducks, went down the slide over and over, & played on the swings.   

At our house we had a tea party, stacked blocks, colored and did laundry- so over all it was a productive day!

From yesterday: Caroline loves shoes.  She likes to to try on all the shoes in her closet and all of mom and dad's when we leave them around the house.   

One last random picture and then I think I am caught up: I had to fill out a accident report on Friday. Caroline got bit after her and a friend were discussing who a book belong to. Poor kid has been sporting the bite mark all weekend.

Favorite Game

Caroline's new favorite thing right now is a made up game between her and her daddy:

1st-  She starts by saying "shhhhhh" and puts her pointer finger up to her lips.  

2nd-  her daddy pretends to be asleep. 

3rd  she sneaks up on him 

4th-  all of a sudden they both yell "rooOOooar!!"

5th- Caroline laughs uncontrollably  

6th- Repeat steps 1-5 over and over again

It is hilarious to watch because she gets really into it. Those two make me smile!

Turned Around

Daddy turned Caroline's car-seat around yesterday! A whole new world opened up for her.  The first thing she said as we started driving was "weeeeeeeeee!"  She was excited!! We didn't make it to the 2  year recommendation but her little legs are so long that it was getting uncomfortable for her.  

Love her!

Family Weekend

This weekend we went to Andrews to see Lolly "Lala" & Grandad. Friday night they took us to the park.  Granddad rode his scooter over and brought the dogs to play fetch.  

 On Saturday morning we fed the ducks our left-over tortillas. Those ducks came right up to eat with no fear.  Caroline stood in the middle of them delicately dropping pieces onto the ground.

 Towards the end she was holding the bread out and looking for a good place to put it on the ground when all of a sudden a duck snatched it out of her hand!  She looked disgusted and seemed to be saying "How rude!"  It didn't hurt but Caroline was done feeding the ducks and wanted to go to the park.

Andrews has the coolest toddler park called Kids Kingdom.  The community has done a great job of keeping it clean.

Saturday afternoon we went swimming with Lolly. 

Growing up my mom taught swimming lessons every summer at the Rukskin club in Dumas, TX until I was 10. She taught me how to swim so it is really neat for me to see her teaching Caroline to put her face in the water, blow bubbles and kick her legs. 

The funny thing was is Caroline kept trying to to lick the water. There was a little yellow kitten that came to say hello.  He must have been Pip's cousin because he chewed on Chris's shoe laces when we were playing in the water.

Saturday night we drove home and met Nana, Papaw & Mimi and Cagles to celebrate Chris's birthday. 

{Side note: Chris and I might have had cookie cake for Breakfast this morning}

 Sunday Night we went our church's family night at the Texas Tech's rec pool. Caroline played next to a lot of the toddlers in her nursery class. So much happy screaming.  The party was from 7:00-9:00.  We had to cut out early because of our strict 8:00 bedtime but she loved the lazy river and splash park.

It was a great weekend.

Lone Star Leader

Chris was honored this week as a Lone Star Leader Top 100 agent in Texas.   He was recognized in 2 categories! Caroline and I were honored to be his plus two.  The awards banquet was in Chicago. We went twos days early and met the whole gang there- Nana, Aunt Kelley & Papaw drove in and the Hendricks flew from California. Wednesday night the boys went to Ditka's Steakhouse

They said it was amazing- I was in bed and asleep by 9:00pm so we both won!

Thursday was Leah's birthday party. We had it at the American Girl Place. This PLACE was amazing. It was two floors of little girl bliss. While making our way to the back to the American Girl Restaurant  we walked by a doll hospital, doll beauty salon, ear piercing stations and racks and racks of matching outfits for dolls and little owner. At the birthday lunch all the kids got to pick a doll to sit with them.

Caroline fed her baby with a spoon and kept poking it in the eye with her finger.  

The American Girls have historical dolls. Each doll represents and different time period in American history.  Growing up Dondi, Jacee & I each had one.  I was so excited to see a "Caroline" doll!  It's the newest doll and it will be so fun when she is old enough to play with it.

Next stop was Wrigley Field. Caroline was fighting a nap but finally enjoyed one on her Papaw.  She only slept for a little while but it was enough for her be charged and ready for the tour.

The guide took us all over the park.  We sat in the press box, dug out, & visitor's locker room.

Cousin time:  They played really well together!

Thursday night Nana and Papaw babysat while the big kids got to eat at Smith and Wollensky. We sat outside facing our hotel-  It was right across the river from our hotel rooms.  Leah, Lane and Papaw put on show by dancing in the windows for us. The food was delicious and it was nice to hang out.

Friday morning we went to the Willis Tower formally known as Sears Tower. Chris, Caroline & I went out on the sky bridge. After our tour we ate at Giordano's (a recommendation from the Koubas) Giordano's didn't mess around with their Chicago style pizza. Caroline is not much of a pizza eater but she colored and ate crackers while the rest of us stuffed our faces.

  Lane is hilarious -he was eating like a puppy. The Hendricks went back to California Friday. Leah started kindergarten Monday and they wanted a weekend to recoup. We were so glad to hang out with them. 

Friday night we ate a Harry Carey's with some of Chris friends from State Farm.  

Two things happened while we were eating:

1. Nana gave Caroline a bath and put her to bed.  

2. Papaw and Kelley saw a high speed chase that ended with a crash in front of them! It made the morning NEWS.

Saturday morning we took Caroline to the Aquarium. She LOVED it!  FIsh everywhere!  It was neat because most of the tanks were right at her level and she could walk/run and scream with delight with no problem seeing the "ish"

They had a beluga whale it was her favorite!

After an authentic Chicago hotdog we walked to Navy Pier. 

There was a great Children's museum where Caroline again went crazy playing. The water station was by far her favorite and she loved painting the water on her dad's leg.

Reading with Nana!

Saturday night was Chris's award banquet.  Notice we are wearing the same outfits as Dondi's wedding. Caroline and I were so proud of daddy and his accomplishments!