Never a dull moment around here.

Aurora is such a wonderful kid! I adore her imagination and sense of self. Aurora is looking forward to her birthday party this September 6th. (We are throwing it a bit early here because of some other scheduling conflicts) She loves her new boots and monkey feet for the school year. Her interest in wild animals hasn't faded at all, and she has added to it a like for Wild Kratts, dinosaurs, and transformers. She secretly likes the movie Frozen (although she doesn't have it yet) and she chose this year to get a larger gift from us (new bike) instead of a larger party. 

I wouldn't trade her heart, humor, or attitude (well sometimes her attitude) for anything.  

First day of first grade.

First day. The number one question of the day: In first grade, do they have recess?

Priorities first everyone! Have a good day.

It must have been a great day! this is how she looks coming home from school, and afterschool care....

Train Station-Guest post by John.

Here's some of the pics we took from this weekend when we went to the train museum. 

Water park visit with John - 02 July 2014

Wednesday Wardrobe - 02 July 2014

Guest Post By John Mabes

Today we went to Galveston Island for a day of summer fun. Most of it was spent at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, which was amazing. The park offered fun for kids of all ages. We were able to float in tubes through tidal waves, roaring rapids and relaxing currents on more than a mile of a sometimes lazy river. We were able to experience the up and down thrills of a what they describe it as a "water coaster," surf ocean-like waves and drop down challenging towering speed slides. And when the adults were all tired out, the kiddos could splash and play in one of the many hidden pirate treasure coves, several were even covered to allow us to get out of the sun for a few precious minutes.

We finished the day by having dinner at the Fisherman's Wharf, where Aurora was thrilled when we were serenaded by dolphins and even able to see them play in the harbor. 

Snaggle tooth!

Before

Wiggles

Hawaii follow up

We visited lots of beaches and had so much fun in our trip! 

We took a trip to the Pearl Harbor Memorial as well. Aurora enjoyed the history lessons and the hands on parts of the museum. 

We stopped at Bellows Beach, you can see the rainforest where Jurassic Park was filmed.  Aurora enjoyed hours of body boarding, until a Man o War got her. Luckily it was a small sting, and was pretty much nonexistent the next day. 

We got to check out the Dole Plantation, and have some dole whip. It was fun to feed the coy fish and see the different stages of pineapple development in the planters. 

On Aurora's list if things to do: drink from a coconut. As you can see: she was not impressed. 

The most impressive thing it seems (next to sea turtles) was the pool. It had a huge water slide. Aurora easily passed to swim test and was able to swim in all areas of the pool. 

Nothing keeps this girl down. She is always on the go. 

On our last day, we visited the resort lagoons. These areas were so beautiful with shallow waters and gentle waves. 

The trip home was long, but worth the travel to have the fun! 

All clear! Get that Brace out of Here!

We made it to the appointment!!! Thank goodness, we were delayed in Honolulu and held up in Dallas.. But arrived in Huntsville on time!! 

In and out, two X-rays later and she's been given the all clear! Recommendation to avoid all bounce houses and things with wheels for three more weeks. Pools and playgrounds and roller coasters are fine.