Summertime!!

This summer was extra special and a little different for us. We left Hawaii at the end of May but we didn't go straight to Jacksonville. Chris had to be in school for two months in Rhode Island, so instead of being in a hotel with the boys (since we didn't have a house yet in Florida) the boys and I spent the summer with my parents. I am so glad we did! My parents are wonderful with my boys and truly love being with them, and we also spent lots of time with our cousins... we made a ton of memories this summer! 

Most of our time was spent outside playing. My mom is just the best. She gets wet and dirty with them and doesn't mind one single bit! 

Popsicles picnic!

Spray park with Gram

Love this picture of Luke and my mom!

Playing with Gram in the sprinklers

Just relaxing in the mud...

Boys and mud!

Abram and I also were able to go with my sister's family to Orange Beach, Alabama for a week. We had a wonderful time! Of course the beach, pool and sand were great, but spending an entire week with family when we have been so far away was the absolute best! 

Abram quickly became a fan of boogie boarding!

Love his smile!

Me and my sister, Julie

Cousin time... it's the best!

Looking for shells and fish with his cousin.

So sweet!

Look how high he got Abe!

I think we had ice cream and watermelon every day!

Just the best!!

Then for the Fourth of July we had two big surprises... Chris came home for the long weekend to surprise the boys (and me) and Abram fractured his arm in two places. :( 

We had a fun holiday weekend as a family and enjoyed being on the river and watching the fire crackers!

Abram hurt his arm on July 3. He was playing frisbee with his cousin and he fell and tried to catch himself. He ended up fracturing it in two places, his wrist and elbow. He was such a good sport and even though he spent three weeks of his summer in a cast (which meant no water activities at all) he never complained once. We were thrilled to have it taken off our last week in Louisiana so he could enjoy some pool time with Cade and Ella.

Abe loved this little boat. He would be in the water without getting his cast wet!

He loved this! Cade said while they were riding Abe kept saying, "This is amazing!" 

The day he got his cast. Sweet boy.. he did so great!

So, one morning my mom and I loaded up the boys and headed to the Gator Park.  There was also a petting zoo, but the boys weren't too concerned about that... they loved the gators! The loved to watch them swim and jump up for their food. Craziness! Only in Louisiana!

Jack and Abram watching the gators

Also, one weekend in July was the Red River Balloon Festival. So amazing to see all these hot air balloons and even better to see them lit up at night. 

Our family also celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday this summer.  She had a huge party with all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.  It was so fun to have everyone together!

My grandma with her 10 great grand kids!

With her grandchildren (minus 2 spouses)

And finally, right before we left for Jacksonville and after Abe's cast came off we made it to the waterpark. Abe had been waiting for this day all summer! He had a blast. He is fearless and he has become an amazing little swimmer!

Racing Cade down the water slide

Best day ever!

We had an amazing summer with our family.  It was so great to be home for awhile and just enjoy everyone! So thankful we had this opportunity and so very grateful to my parents for opening their home to us for two months!!

My parents with their five grandkids!

Starting Kindergarten

This school year was big for us, not only did we move, but Abram started Kindergarten at West Riverside Elementary School.  Abram was a little nervous since he didn't know anyone but I reminded him that it was new for all kindergarteners! I love seeing God's perfect timing (again). I love that we moved in the summer between preschool and K. When we move is totally out of our hands but we know it is always in God's hands! 

I have been covering this day in prayer all summer long... I prayed for his teacher, classmates, to calm Abram's heart, that he would continue to love school and thrive and especially for the safety of his school.  We made a big deal out of shopping for his school supplies and we read all the books about starting kindergarten. We (yes, me and Abe) were ready!

Abram gets the privilege of being in a dual language school.  He spends half the day speaking Spanish and the second half speaking English. What an amazing opportunity! After three years, we can't wait to hear how much he knows!!

All smiles. I love that he does this picture for me every year!

In front of his new school. It is beautiful!

My sweet friend made Abe this shirt. It is an extra large and he will take his picture in it every year (hopefully until he is a senior). Craziness!!

His school theme this year. Love it!

Taking is picture with his star. After this picture he said, "that's it, mom, no more." I had to laugh!

His class star!

It is the sweetest thing, but when Abram is gone to school, Jack and Luke miss him so very much! They are thrilled when we leave to go pick him up every afternoon.  They all three love to play right when he walks in.  After his first day, they were so excited to sit at the table and do play dough with him! So sweet!

Enjoying his back to school dinner at his new favorite place, Chick-Fil-A!  

Chris and I still can't believe we have a kindergartener! He is just so amazing and we love to watch him learn.  I had to post this cute video of him reading to his brothers. He made this book at school and he was so proud of himself and he loved that Jack and Luke wanted to listen to him read! We are looking forward to a great year!

Abram's Fourth Gotcha Day

July 22 is always such a special day in our family.  It's the day we met Abram, it's the day we became parents, it's the day Abram became a son, it's the day God answered our prayers. We love July 22. I often tell people it is one of the best days of my life, and also the hardest day of my life. In our family we refer to July 22 as Gotcha Day. It's the day we got Abram! 

Every year we do three things: we have Abram take his picture with his referral picture (the first picture we ever saw of him), we have Abram take a picture holding all of his Gotcha Day pictures (my favorite), and we let Abram pick a family activity to do for the day.  Well, all summer long he knew he wanted to go to a water park with his cousins on Gotcha Day.  Then, along came Mr. Cast and that put a damper on the water park day. :( So, it took some creativity to find an activity that didn't include water but Abe came up with donuts in the park for breakfast, a trip to Build-a-Bear (he has been dying to go), and then lunch at his absolute favorite place, McDonalds. It was such a fun day!! I think Abram feels so special on his Gotcha Day (which is the point). He always wants to hear about the day we met him, see pictures, and I think he loves the fact that his brothers don't have a Gotcha Day! 

With his referral picture

Holding his series of pictures

This year, we surprised him with waking up to this in my parent's front yard. He loved it!!

Donuts in the park with my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and mom and dad. Such a fun morning and it was wonderful to be able to able to celebrate with our entire family (since we were in Louisiana). 

Picking out their donuts

Yum!!

Uncle Jamie pushing Jack and Luke!

We also attacked Abram with silly string! He loved it!

I love this sweet picture!

And finally making his transformer bears at Build-a-Bear. He has been seeing these commercials all summer long and so of course, this is what he wanted to do for his day! He loved every minute of it!

And, we ended the day at McDonalds eating his absolute favorite lunch, nuggets and a smoothie!

We love celebrating our sweet boy! He is such an amazing little boy and Chris and I can't believe that God gave us the amazing privilege of raising him.  Happy Fourth Gotcha Day, sweet boy!! We love you so very much!