Why not.  They looked great.  3rd day of school pics didn’t happen because we wanted to get there before the rush.  4th day didn’t happen because they rode bikes.  I had such good intentions.

Well sort of home, almost home.  Brad’s youngest brother Mark was returning home from a mission in Little Rock, AR and happen to have a 2 hour layover in the DFW airport.  So after an hour in school, long enough to make the attendance role, I checked my kids out and took them to see their Uncle in the airport.  We wanted to go to UT for his homecoming but it ended up being the same time the kids started school.  He looked great and it was great to see him first!  I have been in this family for quite a while.  I attended Mark’s baptism while Brad was on his mission.  So I enjoy seeing him all grown up serving a mission just as one of his sisters would.  About 6 years ago my brother had a layover in DFW on his way home from his mission in Brazil.  Love how that works out!

My kids love school and were excited to go.  I expected a little nerves but there were none.  They ate a big breakfast and were off.  I followed them all the way to their desks of course.  I love Jackson’s smile.  He just seems awkward when he tries to pose for a picture.   Ali is in the oh so glamorous portable this year.  I was in one in 3rd grade and thought it was cool.  I guess as a mom I am not excited for her to be in a trailer all day.  Both kids have friends from last year in their classes and are happy with their teachers.  They were happy and I was happy.  Matthew is so quiet and well behaved one on one.

Ali started soccer in the Spring and loved it.  She had great coaches that encouraged us to do Summer indoor soccer with them.  She practiced every week outside in the Texas heat.  They played 8 games and 6 of them ended up being on Sunday.  The coaches were understanding about us not playing on Sunday.  It ended up the last games were on Saturday and she played well.  The game is completely different inside.  The field is HUGE and you play the ball off the walls.  Turns out her team was undefeated and went to a tournament to play for first place.  The team they played was crazy good and they got second place in their division.  I was happy Ali got to play with some really talented players.  She learned a lot.  The coaches were so great and are looking ahead to winter soccer and trying to see if they can find a venue that does Saturday only games for our family.  That was totally unexpected and I am grateful for their kindness.  Shamrocks are starting up in the fall with practice tomorrow and their first outdoor game in a couple weeks.  Looks like Ali will be a mid fielder and goalie.

We really loved the time after dinner this summer when the water in the pool was really warm and the sun was down and we could just lay around and enjoy some fun family time.  Matthew has really enjoyed swimming and often says “I had fun swimming mommy” as we head upstairs to go to bed.  He decided one day to start putting his head under water and that was the end of it.  We hardly ever see his face anymore.  I haven’t taken too many pics lately but I am happy to say I grabbed the camera and captured the darling little guy in action recently.  Enjoy!