Trick-or-Treat 2011

Our town held their trick-or-treating festivities on Saturday, October 29.  Layton dressed as Ash, a Pokemon trainer, and Kade went as Fred Flintstone.  We didn't shop for costumes until Wednesday (10/26), so our pickings were not the best.  Kade's costume is actually an adult XL, but we made it work!

Layton had his Fall Party at preschool this morning.  They dressed up as scarecrows, recited a poem, and then sang three songs.  Layton has been singing all these songs at home, but this morning he didn't want to perform for everyone.

Jackpot Show

This past Saturday was a busy day!  We left the house at 5 a.m. to travel to a jackpot livestock show.  We took both of Kade's goats.  It was a big show to us, because there were 10 classes of goats and each class had 10-12 goats in it.  Our county show is not that big!

Kade's goat, Stitch, took an 11th place.  This was Kade's second show ever, so of course, he was extremely nervous.  To Stitch's defense, Kade didn't set him up so well.  Hopefully, with a little more practice setting him up, we can show a judge his true potential.

Lilo, Kade's other goat, did great though.  She received 2nd place.  Kade did a great job showing her too!  The first place goat in his glass won grand champion over-all, so Kade got to go back in for reserve champion.  He didn't win, but he got more ring time, which is great!

I took this video of Kade showing Lilo.

Mr. President

At the end of 3rd grade Kade was honored with his classmates voting him a spot on the Seymour Elementary School Student Leadership Team, which is like student council.  The SLT is made up of 10 fourth graders.  There are 6 girls and 4 boys this year.  In October of this year the members were asked which office they would like to run for.  Kade chose president, as did two other students.  Other students chose vice-president, secretary and reporter to run for.  The members had to create campaign posters, write an essay and give a speech to their peers.  It was a neat process and I know Kade learned a lot.

Here are two of Kade's three campaign posters.  Clint helped Kade create the posters.  He definitely gets Daddy of the Decade for that!  We went with a McDonald's type theme.  The one directly below has Layton as the bodyguard (Secret Service) and Kade as President in front of the the White House.  (you can click on the pictures to make them open up bigger)

Kade at the podium ready to give his speech.  He volunteered to go first out of nine other kids giving speeches!  I was proud of him for that, but so nervous at the same time.

Here is a video of his speech.  He did a great job!

Did he win the office of President?  YES!  He was so excited about the honor!

1st Six Weeks Academic Pep Rally (4th Grade)

This is Kade's last year in elementary school and his last year for academic pep rallies.  He is enjoying 4th grade and it shows!  

Here Kade is receiving one of his many awards from Mrs. Exum, the principal.

1.  Perfect Attendance for the 1st Six Weeks

2.  A-Honor Roll for the 1st Six Weeks

3.  Accelerated Reader Award

First Day of School 2011

School started on August 22 for Kade and me.  This is Kade's last year at the elementary school; he is in 4th grade.  I am in the classroom 1/2 day teaching 5th grade reading and high school multimedia.  The rest of the day I am the middle school/high school librarian.  I look at it as the best of both worlds!

Layton began his last year of preschool on September 19.  I can't believe he will go to Kindergarten next  year.

Layton's 5th Birthday Party

Layton turned 5 on August 15!  It's just so hard to believe!  We turned his birthday into a last blast of summer type vacation/event.  We rented a hotel room at Possum Kingdom to celebrate his birthday, mine and Clint's anniversary, and a great summer.

He picked Batman AGAIN this year as the theme for his party!

Summer Trip 2011

This summer we took off towards Galveston, because the boys wanted to go to the beach.  My mom and dad, Pa-Paw and Babers, went with us too.  On our way we stopped in Schulbenburg to attend a family reunion with Mama Chris and Dennis.  It was a lot of fun meeting up with Mama Chris' family.  Here are some pics of our trip and a video Kade wanted me to put together.

Schulenburg

We went to the famous Sengelmann's Hall

Mama Chris and Kade dancing

The family reunion was held at a church gathering hall.  I loved this sign in the hall (it was a Catholic church!).

Here are some pics of the church.  This one is called High Hill and is on the painted church tour.

Galveston - Night #1

My dad vacationed in Galveston almost every summer as a child.  He had not been back in 20+ years though, and wanted to eat at Gaido's, a restaurant he loved as a kid.

I think he is eating dessert here!

After your meal, the waitress brings you a dish to wash your fingers off.  The boys loved this!

Galveston - Day #1 Headed to the Beach

We stayed at The Hilton, which was practically next door to The Rainforest Cafe.  We ran in the cafe real quick on day #1 to see about reservations for that night.  The boys stopped for some pics on the cute barstools.

Feeding the seagulls.  Layton is headed for safety!

Clint and Layton buried Kade and made him into a merman.  You have to really look to see his tail.

Kade boogie boarding.  He loved catching the waves!

Night #2

We caught the train and headed to The Rainforest Cafe

The Rainforest Cafe has a SHORT ride you can enjoy while you wait a LONG time on your table.  Here is Layton waiting to get in the boat.

All the animals come "alive" every 15 minutes.  Really neat!

At night the volcano on top of the restaurant erupts every few minutes.

A clown in the restaurant made Layton a balloon sword.  He is chasing Clint with it.

Love it!  Kade is mad because we didn't rent a family bicycle to ride.

 Mad kid!

Happy kid!

To make up for no bike, we went crab hunting that night.  

Here is a crab we found.

Day #3

We went to eat at Willie G's because it was recommended by the locals and in several travel magazines.  It was pretty fancy and honestly, wasn't the best.

After lunch we went to an army surplus store that is famous worldwide.

Trying them on.

 Next, Dad wanted to go see the hotel that he stayed at as a kid, The Hotel Galvez.  It was beautiful.  There were actually several brides planning weddings the day we were there!

Day #2 - Back to the beach.  I was the only one who wanted to go back with the boys.  Everyone else roasted from the six hour day before in the sun!  The boys made a boat in this picture.

Night #3

We went to Kemah to the Boardwalk.  

Bye, Bye crab and Bye, Bye Galveston.  We had a great time.

Mr. Crab in his shell.

Kade