Sometimes it takes a good loud cry

We have had the BEST time watching the Olympics. Last night as we watched the Closing Ceremonies, Avery did her own gymnastics performance for us. After we had tucked her in, she came into our room and told us that she was going to need to cry for a while about the Olympics being over. She just wanted us to know what was going on, so we wouldn't go in her room to see what was wrong. Then she went in her room and we heard VERY LOUD crying. It was truly adorable. I wanted to cry loudly too. But, since I am an adult, I refrained. We have had so much fun watching the Olympics each night, especially the gymnasts and divers, track stars, and I personally like the volleyball (not beach, just the regular variety).

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have ALWAYS LOVED THE OLYMPICS. When we lived in Africa, my dad recorded 11 full tapes of Olympic coverage in Sydney Australia in 2000, and airmailed them to me. I devoured those tapes. I remember as far back as the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, when Mary Lou Retton got the gold. During those Olympics, I was 10 years old and was at my grandparents house at Lake Texoma and it seems like yesterday to me.

The summer Gabe and I got married, we decided we did not need a TV. I was fine with that, until I realized it was 1996 and the Olympics would be on in a few weeks. Of course, we were left with no option but to go out and buy a TV, and thank goodness we didn't miss those Atlanta Olympic Games!!

I guess I love the sports and competition, but I also love the music - the olympic theme that NBC plays. I also love that it's the only time the whole world comes together for anything. And this year was truly great. So many world records being broken, and the athletes seemed more humble and "real" to me than usual (most of them, anyway) So, we are sad that it's over, and we want to cry loudly. But, the bright side is that I won't have to stay up til all hours of the night anymore. I was definitely losing beauty sleep.

Avery's First Day of School

Wednesday was Avery's first day of school in the 4K class at Plainview Christian Academy. She will go 2 days a week, and LOOOOOOVED her first 2 days. The teachers are wonderful and Avery already has lots of friends. There are some neat things about PCA, like having chapel once a week with all the students together, teaching Spanish to all grade levels, having a bible lesson, and letting the kids work up to whatever academic level they are ready to achieve. Until we move to Plainview next month, Avery will ride to school with her Daddy on his way to work, so she is really excited about that. We are looking forward to a great year!!

Photo Shoot

Gabe's sister Robyn was here a couple of weeks ago, and we were so glad she had several days and nights to spend with us! We had some great talks and lots of laughing, and she was a trooper, going with us here and there to our stuff. She also used some of her AWESOME talent and photographed our family. Thank you Robyn!! It amazes me that she got any of Avery that weren't blurry because Avery was never still for more than a second. You can go to Robyn's blog to see more of the pictures of our family here. These are some of my favorites.

Cousins Week at Mimi & Grandads

I guess to post late is better than to post never. So, for scrapbooking purposes, I don't want to leave this super fun week out of my blog. In August, my sister Leslie and her husband Israel went on an Alaskan Cruise for their 15th Anniversary, and my mom and dad and I kept her 2 boys, Caleb & Carter for the week. It was great cousin time and we devoted the week to fun "kid stuff" that everyone enjoyed.

My mom has been wanting to take the kids to Build-a-Bear for a long time, but it never seemed to work out until this summer. It is great for all ages and all 3 kids loved it. It was fun to see the kid's personalities come out as they picked out their own bear and all the clothes to go with it. Each one had their own idea and did not let the others' opinions sway them.

Caleb's Bear is a Dallas Maverick

Avery's is a nurse

Carter's is a Dallas Cowboy

In this scene, the 2 athletes were playing and got hurt, so the nurse came to their rescue

The kids have a tradition of making cookies with Mimi when they come for any special occasion or holiday. This week the Olympics had started, so they made "Olympic" cookies. Below see Michael Phelps.

We went swimming at Uncle Mike & Aunt Julie's Gym - Lifetime Fitness.

It's pretty amazing - a waterpark within a fitness club!

Then we rode the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transportation) train from Plano to downtown Dallas to the Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus. Sadly, the camera ran out of batteries and we didn't get any pictures at the circus.

Swimming at Aunt Julie's Parent's Pool.

Playing Beauty Salon with Aunt Julie

On the last day, we went to the Texas Fresh Fishwater Hatchery in East Texas. There was so much to see and do!

My Dad's Uncle Floyd is in the Fisherman Hall of Fame here. He is considered one of the best fisherman in the history of our country. It was so neat to see him on the wall and listen to the video presentation they had about him. In the world of fishermen, he is famous! When we were kids, we went fishing with him and my Grandad on Lake Texoma, and I have great memories of that.

One of the neat things about this place was that they have a fishing pond and equipment for you to use. Carter caught a fish the first time he cast out, and ended up catching several. He is QUITE natural and takes after his great uncle Floyd.

It was a great week, I love you Caleb and Carter and had so much fun spending the week together!