Meeting G.G. & G-pa and cousin Amy

My grandparents were coming to Houston and finally felt they wouldn't be obtrusive if they stopped by to visit with the kids.  Justin was in school, so it was just one-on-one time. 

G.G. doing my favorite thing - rubbing Lexi's face and arms.  Both of my grandmothers had the best fingernails and would rub us for what seemed like forever.

Levi was showing G-pa where the turtles would go.  There was also a whole big enough for a raccoon, an armadillo, or an opossum.  All of which we have seen.

The ladies were swinging

No hands

Love that these two get to meet their great-grandparents on this side of heaven.

Aunt Pam brought cousin Amy to meet the kids as well.

Lots of cuddles from Amy

I love that my family gets to meet my kids

Lost tooth - look in iphone pix

I have been waiting to post this fun one.  The day, September 10th, when Justin lost his two top teeth all on the same day.


 I got some phone close ups to send to his dental hygienist grandmother.  He lost one before school, and then came home.  I noticed how crooked the other one was and wiggled it.  Goodness me I sent him to get that one out as well!

Hanging on by a thread!

And gone!!!

I had to take more photos of this wonder.  I miss losing teeth!

Looky there. 

It was a great day in the Michaelis household

First day of Friendship School

We came back from Lost Pines and the following day Levi & Lexi started school.  We found a sweet school right around the corner from our house called The Friendship School.  I thought I would just mourn leaving Holy Cross, but I have loved every minute as this new place.

Backpack twins

 We ransacked Lands' End this year for gear, especially for lunch boxes that will hold our Laptop Lunches.  A must!

 These two love each other so much

 Walking into our pre-K room with Ms. Lisa & Ms. Beth

 She wasn't quite sure about what this all was, but she has grown to love it

 I see the pensiveness as she is realizing that mommy is walking backwards to the door.

And Levi couldn't wait to make new friends

We love this school and how they have loved our kids!

Lost Pines '12

We decided to leave on Justin's actual birthday, the Friday of Labor Day, to go to Lost Pines.  But before we left we had to draw out the birthday a little more.

The night before our babysitter brought a cake to community group for Justin and all to share.

The next morning we went to school at 7:40am so that Justin could be on the morning announcements for his birthday.  All the other birthdays were turning 8.  Justin was the only kinder there.

Then I went to his class to be the first Friday reader.  I took some silly books, which made everyone giggle.

Then I went back to have lunch with the birthday boy.

While playing with the younger two, I took two random photos of our shaved dog.

Out of order, opening gifts that morning before school.

On the drive that afternoon to Lost Pines I started to not feel great.  A mini case of the flu.  I went to bed, and Derek headed to the pool with the kids.  I slept 10 hours, and started to slowly feel better the next day.

We needed a photo for the adoption being finalized in November, so I quickly tried to manage my slept-on-it-wet hair, the humidity, and a stranger using my camera.  We managed to get a good shot.

Waiting in line for the train

This donkey...bless it.  Wow.  Our room was right by the donkey, longhorns, and horses.  Fun for the kids...and Roxy who liked to bare her teeth.

Sweet siblings

Riding the train

Angry birds masks

We loved the slide and the pool

The boys were doing this nonstop

Holla

This describes Levi's personality so well!

Me and my chillin's

Lots of water.  And we ate like kings.  Just two weeks prior Hyatt had changed their menus to more gluten free friendly with much healthier choices.  Welcome the Michaelis'!  We brought our whole kitchen with us so that we didn't have the kids eat hot dogs, chicken fingers, and fries all weekend.  We were loving all the options.  I even went to the manager and told him as such.

Justin and Derek on our last day there went on the lazy river one last time while Lexi & Levi and I listened to the country music.

And we played a little dress up

Yee haw!

We took some chummy shots

Levi attempted some himself.

Then we finally had s'mores, which Justin doesn't love to eat but loves to make.

A little cheat dessert

We were surprised at how relaxing the trip was, and couldn't wait to return again.  We all loved it and found many ways to relax and enjoy.  Plus it was our first official trip with just us five.