Gabe's an Orange Apple!!!

Summer is officially over for us now.....Gabe goes back to preschool today! He is so excited and ready to get back to his Happy Apple teachers and friends! And just like his sister was two years ago, Gabe is an Orange Apple with Mrs. Lori!!!! And speaking of Kate, as much as we are loving her school, it was sort of sad knowing that she will not be a Happy Apple with Gabe this year. But, now Gabe gets to shine on his own and not in the shadows of his big sister! I know you are going to have a great year Gabe! I can't wait to see how much you learn and grow as an Orange Apple!!!! We love you!!!!

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1st Day of School homework....Gabe wanted to dress up his person to be a fireman since that's what he wants to be when he grows up. Actually, he decided a few weeks ago that he wants to be the Fire Chief, not just a fireman, so that he can tell the others what to do. :)

Proud parents and grandparents!!!!

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Gabe with a few of his favorite girls!

Bryce, Ava, & Madeline!

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We love Gabe's teacher Mrs. Lori!!!

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Most of Gabe's friends from last year are not in his class this year, but he was happy to see his Sunday School friend Annah Laura and one of his best buddies from last year, Parks!

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Have a Great 1st Day of School Gabe!!!!!

Goodbye Stephanie

Having to leave all my close friends in Atlanta 4 years ago, I can still remember the heartache I felt saying goodbye. It was especially hard when I also considered that I was taking Kate away from all of her first friends. Well, that same heartache has hit my group of friends again, only this time I am thankfully not the one leaving town. Instead, tonight we had to say a very sad goodbye to our dear friend Stephanie (2nd from the left), her husband Richard, sweet Miss "Little Emma," and baby Jackson (who we all hope doesn't grow or change a bit before we see again!). Stephanie, we all love you guys so much and will always have a seat saved for you at Chick-fil-A and every other outing or event we attend. Know that you guys will always be missed and thought about each and every week until you move back home to Georgia in a few years!!!! Until then, please update us, text, send pictures, and visit as often as you can!!!! And try to at least find a little fun in Virginia! ;)

I didn't have a great group shot of all our kiddos to put inside a frame I got for Stephanie. So, below is my very "Photoshopped" picture! :) All the pictures were from the same beach trip, but if it looks a little "off," it's probably because it's five pictures squashed into one!

Happy 1st Birthday Dexter!

This afternoon we celebrated with one of Jon's co-workers whose little boy Dexter turned ONE today! It was such a sweet little Doggie themed party and Dexter sure did love his cake!

Happy 1st Birthday Dexter!!!

Kate & Gabe had fun too...and Kate especially loved finding this cricket! :)

Hurricane Irene - Day 2

Just as I had planned, the kids and I headed back to the beach today to look for treasures!

These kids LOVE the beach!!!

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The waves were much smaller today, the prickly bushes were nowhere to be seen, and we were ready to have fun! We found lots of really big shells and several sea creatures. And as you will see pictured below, Gabe even found a cup!

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Kate discovered a Sea Cucumber!!!

Notice its "mouth" open and closed in the pictures below....

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She also found this little guy. :)

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Gabe was equally pround of his special treasure!!!

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene has been brewing out in the Atlantic and originally projected to head right to us. But as usual, its path has changed to the northeast, and all we're getting are some bigger than usual waves! So of course, after school today I talked the family into meeting us at the beach!!!

This may still not compare to California, but for us, these waves were huge!

Kate was loving it!!!!

The waters were also full of foam!

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And unfortunately, LOTS of these bushes! Look at the close-up to see all the sharp points. :/ These little plants, and hard to see tiny pieces of them, were floating everywhere!

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We got a late start tonight, but I'm hoping to maybe bring the kids back tomorrow

to play and look for shells or other treasures that may wash up on shore.

School Days

I was so excited this afternoon when I saw an email from Kate's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Cobb, especially when I saw that the email contained pictures from today!!! Kate got to have a Teddy Bear Tea Party with her class, that included a special snack! Kate wrote out one of her sight words, "Jack," with a Twizzler. :)

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Below you will see Kate singing the crazy "Tooty Tatty" song with her friends.

SMES Aquatic Center Night!

After Gabe's Open House, we rushed home, threw on swim suits, and headed to the Aquatic Center to join with Kate's elementary school for Splash Night! Kate was able to play with several classmates and I finally got to meet Cameron, a boy she comes home talking about almost every day! I didn't take his picture because I thought his mom might think that was little strange, but he seemed sweet and he and Kate play together on the playground.

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Kate with her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Cobb!

My very intimidating little Shark Boy!

Kate having fun with two of her friends, Anne and Audrey

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Happy Apple Open House

It's Happy Apple time again!!!! And this time, my little boy will be navigating the halls all alone, for the first time without Big Sister Kate. He is excited to be going back to school though, especially after finding out that he will be in class with one of his best buddies, Parks!

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Notice the broken sign.....It seems as though the big tree overhead sent a giant limb crashing down this week.

It's a Happy Apple World....It's a Happy Apple World.....It's a Happy Apple World

It's a Happy Apple World!

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Kate & Gabe with the very sweet Orange Apple teacher....Mrs. Lori!

Our little family!

Let the Games Begin!

It's time for SOCCER!!!!!!
Kate & Gabe are ready to get out on the field and score some goals!
But first, it's time to practice!

We were so excited to learn that Kate was placed back on her team from last season with the incredible Coach Jay! But, we only have 6 players this season, and of those, 3 are new. :/ So, we may not be the team we were last year, but we are still happy to cheer for Team RipTide!!! Tonight's practice was a date change from its original day because the fields are being sprayed with pesticides. So, only 4 of our team members were able to show up today. But, that meant Coach Jay let Gabe get out on the field and practice too.....he was VERY excited to play with the big kids! We are really looking forward to a great Fall Season...especially since this is Gabe's first team sport!!!!

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Aquatic Center

The summer is almost over, but there is still a little more time left to squeeze in some fun in the sun! This afternoon I took Kate & Gabe to the Aquatic Center to meet up with friends, Mallory & Wyatt!

Fun Times!!!

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