Blake's 1st Day of Older Pre-K

Blake was very excited for his first day of school today. He felt like such a big boy.

He was a little tired this morning - you can see his tired eyes.

Blake chose to go to McDonalds for his first day of school dinner.

Landon's First Day of 2nd Grade

Landon's first day of 2nd grade. Landon was excited, but Blake wasn't too excited for his play buddy to be gone all day.


Our 2nd Grader.

Putting his backpack in his locker; he was so excited about that locker!

Landon's best friend, Sam, is in his class this year - they were both very excited about that. To top it off, they were placed next to each other on the first day!

Marcie always makes the boys first day of school very special when they get home. She makes them a treat and has balloons for them.

They also get to choose their favorite restaurant to eat at that night. Landon chose his new favorite hamburger place - Steak and Shake.
They have some cool cars to build.

Blake loves the shake part.

Lego Club Meeting

On Saturday, Landon went to a Lego Club meeting at the Lego Store. (We had signed up earlier in the month.) In groups, they work together to build a project that they in turn explain to the rest of the group. Landon did great in his group. At the end they get a bag of Legos and a T-shirt.

Putting the final touches on the project.
Landon's bag of Legos

Lego Lobster

The Lego store has a free lego build the first Tuesday night of each month. Last month was the first month we went and they built a flag. This month was a lobster. The boys were very excited to go. There were some long lines waiting to build the lobster - they only have 250 free sets. By the time we got to the front, the boys were ready to build their sets. They did a great job building a more complicated one this time.

Here they are at home with their pet Lobsters.

Party

Marcie's cousin Marji had a birthday party for their twins that were turning 2 years old. They had a bounce house and water activities. The boys had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures.

Pictures of the boys

Here are some recent pictures I took of the boys.

Lego Store Grand Opening

This morning we went into Dallas to the grand opening of a new lego stores at one of the malls.

They were building an 8ft Yoda out of Legos, the boys were able to build a brick or two that went on the large Yoda. Landon and Blake were in heaven. They were surrounded by Legos and they were able to meet a real Lego Master Model Builder. Landon wants to be a Lego inventor when he grows up and a Lego Master comes up with ideas for new lego sets.

Afterwards, we waited in line a long time to get into the Lego store so the boys could use their allowance to buy some legos. They gave away a special Texas Longhorns lego set with what they bought.

Landon and Blake were so happy. Landon said he had so much fun.

To top off the day, we had a family game night and played some games together.

The special Texas Longhorn.

The Lego Master Model Builder.

Texas, Our Texas

In an effort to remind myself why we are living in Texas despite the 100+degree weather we've been having, I've come up with a list of a few of the reasons why I love TEXAS:

1. Texas Food

Who doesn't love to have choices when it comes to good food? And here in Dallas, we have so many places to eat, whether it's Tex-Mex, Steak, BBQ, or a Shrimp Boil, (thanks Holly and Brian for introducing us to that - yummy)! In fact, Dallas is the city with the most resturants per capita in the entire country! Some of our family favorites are Abuelos, Saltgrass, Sonny Bryan's, and, of course, Whataburger. What's yours?

2. Texas Friendliness

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and I'd have to say that holds true of people's hearts and smiles here! Doesn't matter if you're a native Texan or a transplant, as soon as you cross that border into Texas, your smile gets wider, and you cannot help but wave to people as they pass. I just LOVE how friendly EVERYONE here is!

3. The Texas Sky

Nothing's bigger and more beautiful than a sunny blue sky on a hot Texas day. I love being able to see forever whether I'm driving down the road, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or lying on the trampoline looking up at the clouds with the boys.

4. Texas Storms

I love everything about thunderstorms. Real Texas thunderstorms. I love to watch the storm clouds build as they come closer, I love the calm right before the storms hit, I love the sound of rain pouring down, and I love, love, love the fresh smell of grass and rain after the storms have passed.

5. Texas Accents

Everything sounds better with a Texas drawl!

6. The Texas Pledge

I remember being blown away when I moved to Texas as a fourth grader and had to recite the Texas Pledge alongside the Pledge of Allegiance. You gotta love a state that has it's own pledge. Interestingly enough, there are a few other states that have their own pledges, but I don't know if they can compete with ours!

7. Texas Cost of Living

People are living well here in Texas. House prices are UNBELIEVABLE. For instance, we paid only $88 per square foot for our home, (and that's a home with hand-scraped hardwood floors, crown molding, granite countertops, an outdoor fireplace...you get the idea). There is no state income tax, there are mature tress, parks, and sidewalks everywhere, and the schools are great.

8. Texas Sports Teams

Just here in Dallas, we have the Dallas Stars, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Cowboys, and of course, the Texas Rangers. I've never been to so many sporting events before!

9. Texas Pride

How can you not get excited to live in Texas when there's so much Texas pride? Even my Southern California loyalist husband is starting to catch some of the Texas spirit!

10. My Own Texas History

I do not get sentimental about very many things, but Texas holds a special place in my heart. I cannot help it, it's in my blood! It's the state I've lived more years of my life in than any other place, and it is the only place that's ever REALLY felt like home to me.

Okay, so why do you love Texas?

Father and Sons Campout

These are from our ward's father & sons' campout from forever ago! I just found them in one of the folders on the computer and wanted to share. The boys loved going camping with dad and all their friends!