A Bittersweet Ending

Well, after trying to post some new pictures and getting a message that this blog has run out of free space, I have decided to bring it to an end. I have loved having this blog to look back on and enjoy special moments over and over again of Jackson and Kate in their early years. However, it is time consuming and I am finding that extra time is something that seems to be harder and harder to find every day. When I started this blog, it was the only way for family and friends to easily keep up with us and see pictures of the kids (just one on the way at the time). But with facebook and instagram, there is a way for just about all of you to check in on us now. So, I think this is a good time to say goodbye. The blog will still be here if you ever feel the need to take a look; it just won't be getting any new posts. Thanks for following us all these years!

No Words...

Random cell phone pictures...

 

Random October cell phone pictures...

Happy Halloween!

Little Butterfly Fairy

Trick-or-treating with our neighborhood friends

Look at all these cuties!

Auburn football player with his Auburn pumpkin

Happy Halloween!!

Soccer and Pumpkins

 

Here are some pictures of Jackson's soccer game this morning. Since they are the Yellow Dragons and their colors are yellow and black, we put Kate in her Iowa cheerleading uniform to be the official team cheerleader! :)

After the game, we headed to Trader Joe's to pick up some pumpkins. They also had face painting and a bouncy house, so it was a fun morning for all!

 



Entranced by Dora

Kate's first hair cut!

We took Kate to get her first haircut today. She was developing a little rat tail in the back, so we needed to shape it up a little. Taking her to get her hair cut was almost as fun as taking her to the doctor. These pictures were taken after she calmed down a little bit, but Erik had to hold her the whole time. We left an extra nice tip for the poor lady who had to cut her hair!

 

Not a happy girl

Getting glitter sprinkled in her hair

side shot

Another side shot with the prize she got

Happy now that it's over and she has her lollipop! (Excuse the ugly blue jewel they put in her hair. We took that out as soon as we left.)

It's Soccer Season!

Jackson's soccer team (minus one girl who was on vacation)

Goofy picture

Action shot!

Headed for the goal!

 

Jackson is doing so well at soccer this year. He has really gotten into it and has gotten a lot more aggressive than he was last year. He scored two goals last week and three today! 

Faker

Pretending to take a nap...she's a pretty good little actress!

A Long-Overdue Getaway

Erik won a trip this year with his company, and we both finally got to go! It was an all-expenses-paid trip to the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida, with the other award winners. Erik played golf, and I enjoyed the beach, pool, and fitness center. The company chartered a flight, and that was SO nice. The buses were waiting to take us to our hotel as we walked down the stairs from our plane, and we got to bypass the security line and the airport on the way home.  We missed the kids, but it was really nice to get away. It was the first vacation the two of us have taken since we became parents 5 1/2 years ago, and it made me realize we definitely need to do that more often! Grandparents, let us know when you're ready to come babysit. :) We didn't take a camera, but here are a few pictures from my phone and from a friend.

 

On our balcony...we had a great room!

View from our room

Mandi and Sarah (girlfriend of one of Erik's co-workers)

On the dinner cruise

Last night with this beautiful view from our room

Thank you, Erik, for working so hard to win this trip! And thank you, Mimi, for taking care of Jackson, Kate, and Tug for 4 days by yourself! 

Cool Rider