Home Depot Workshop

Julia has done a bunch of the Home Depot Kid Workshops but this was the first one Andrew has done.  Now he's actually old enough to help make the project.  Today he had fun hammering.

Julia was busy sanding away.

More hammering for our little guy.

Julia did awesome at hammering the nails in the wood.

Finished project complete!

Tap Shoes

We picked up Julia's tap shoes and she's SO excited to start tap class this year.  It may be a toss up as to who is more excited about tap...Mommy or Julia.  I always loved taking tap class as a kid so I'm thrilled that she's excited!

First Day of School

Wednesday, September 4 was Julia's first day of 4 year old preschool at Cumming First Baptist Church.  She was very excited to start school again and even more excited that her best friend Grace is going to be in her class again this year.  At first she was a bit reluctant about having new teachers but ecstatic about having Grace in her class.  The night before school the teachers asked the kids to sprinkle 'Ready Confetti' under their pillow for a great night sleep and they would do the same.  Cute idea and Julia enjoyed that!

Ready for bed.

Checking to be sure the confetti was still there.

All ready for school!

Her backpack still looks huge on her...maybe next year it won't look so big.

Julia and her teachers Mrs. Wyatt and Mrs. Schreiber on her first day of school.

When she came into class there was pink Play-doh for her to play with...does it get any better than that?

Well maybe since she sits right across from Grace.

Julia and Grace both wearing their favorite colors.  We are so thrilled they're in the same class again since next year they won't because we're zoned for different elementary schools based on where we live.

Julia's cubby where she hangs her backpack and lunch.

Julia and Grace leaving school together.

So happy Julia found a sweet girl to be her best friend...love these two girls!

A special treat for the first day of school and Julia decided to have her very own milkshake. Great choice indeed!

Flight Home

Even though it's always hectic on us when we go to New York we had fun seeing everyone.  It's always busy trying to divide our time equally and see and do everything we want but in the end it's all worth it.  We're so glad to share with Julia and Andrew where we grew up despite having to move car seats between different cars or all sleeping in one room and our stuff all over the place as our family of four invades one of our parents' house for the week.  As we were boarding our plane to head back to Georgia the pilot asked Julia and Andrew if they'd like to sit in his seat and have their picture taken. How sweet is that?  Julia was up first and she would never even think of touching anything...she just sat and looked around and smiled.

Now Andrew on the other hand put his hands on the wheel (technically called a yoke and no I didn't know that, I googled it) and pretended to drive the plane.  He also went to touch some buttons too...like I said he is ALL boy.

He even asked for the hat since he saw Julia had it on.  He clearly wanted the full effect of being a pilot.

Watching Chuggington on the IPAD to pass some time.

Andrew liked having a snack on the plane...yummy pretzels.

They both loved riding the train that's underground and takes you around the airport.  Andrew wasn't interested in getting off and would have rode that train all day if I let him.  I guess I know what to do if a flight of ours ever gets delayed.  It was fun seeing everyone but we were glad to be home.

A Few Random NY Photos

Andrew with my older brother Chris.  Both Julia and Andrew loved my brother.  He played with them so much and had them laughing and giggling all the time.

Grandma with Julia and Andrew while we were waiting for our pizza.

Hailey and Julia at Nana's house.

Picnic at Uncle Mike's House

On Sunday afternoon we enjoyed going to a picnic at Uncle Mike and Aunt Anne's house which is located right along a river.  It was a great setting for a picnic and fun was had by all!  I'm not at all surprised that Andrew ended up eating his lunch on Papa's lap...he LOVES Papa.

All the girls had fun too.  It's so funny that Leah who is the youngest is pushing the older girls.

Aunt Anne's daughter found this digger at a garage sale and all the kids LOVED it!  Andrew loved being a worker and was digging away.  Don't mind the shoes he's wearing...he switched with Julia because she wanted to go in the river but didn't have any water shoes.

Thomas is in the river with Julia and she's showing me how she's wearing Andrew's shoes. His brother Brian is right next to them with Molly.

Even Julia enjoyed the digger!

Thomas' Aunt Lynne wrote a book called Bennie's Forever Gift which teaches people about their relationship with God.  Of course we bought the book and brought it along so she could sign it for Julia and Andrew.

The book is a little longer so Andrew isn't quite ready to sit and listen to the whole story yet.

Looks like Andrew played corn hole just like he does putt-putt.

Uncle Paul and Andrew having fun!

Uncle Paul getting Andrew to giggle which for those of us who know Andrew well isn't that hard to do.  He's full of giggles!

Andrew snuggling with Papa...so sweet.

Even though I don't know what Andrew is saying to Papa I'm almost positive he was asking Papa, 'Can you see me?'  Thanks to Mike and Anne for hosting everyone!

Mass at Cathedral

Whenever we go back to New York I always like to go to mass at the Cathedral since Thomas and I got married there back in June 2001.  It's such a beautiful church and I love hearing the music on the organ since it brings back such great memories of our wedding day.