First Days!!

I entitled the post "First Days" because everyone had his or her own first day.  Reid started first on Monday at Michelle's ("Shell's") house.  Oh, boy--was he ever excited?!

 Okay, you can't tell it from these pictures because it was 7 a.m., but he was thrilled to be back!  Caleb and the girls were home for the first two days until their school started, so he had two full days of being spoiled rotten!  Caleb is his buddy, and they had so much fun together!

 Michelle with Reid and Caleb.  Gosh, we just love her!

Two days later, we had our first day of school.  I was in the middle of straightening Reese's hair when she started complaining of a bad tummy ache.  Two minutes later, she was telling us she was going to physically going to be sick.  Neither Joel nor I could stay home with her, so I called my parents on the way to school and they saved the day!  Thanks so much, guys!  Here are Ryan's first day pics:

 He's now a big first grader!!!

 He was SO excited to go back to school to see all of his buddies!

I had my kids at morning recess when I heard someone from behind me say, "Hi, Aunt Kristy!"  I turned around and was surprised to see this sweet little face:

 My niece, Grace!  She just started at our school this year and is in the other first grade class.  I just love seeing her in the building!

 Here is Grace with our neighbor, Maureen.  I think they are going to be good friends!

 Luckily Reese was feeling better the next day, so she was excited to go for her first day.

 Reese is now a big time 3rd grader!

Even though I love teaching 2nd Grade, I miss 3rd Grade so much.  Reese has a phenomenal teacher--one whom I've worked with since I started teaching my first year.  I always envisioned her teaching my kids.  She's very structured and challenges the kids.  She also helps them learn about organization and personal responsibility.  I think Reese is just going to thrive in her room this year!

My class is a DREAM!!!  Honestly, some days I don't want to leave because they are so good.  They love making me happy, which is good because it's one of our classroom rules.  :)  Also, I was incredibly anxious about teaching Reading this year, but I'm finding that I absolutely LOVE it!

Here's to a wonderful year for everyone!!!

August Birthdays

While we were in Fort Wayne, we celebrated the 3 August birthdays since we were together.  My birthday is the 2nd, Riley's is the 9th, and Doug's is the 11th.

Quinn reading Reid a story.

Riley opening one of her gifts.  Can't believe she's 12!

Doug opening his card from Joel.  He got to wear a sticker that read, "I'm the boss!"  Of course I think one of the kids ended up taking it from him...  :)

Blowing out our candles on the Oreo cookie ice cream dessert.  Delicious!!

Sheets Family Reunion 2012

For the past several years, Joel's mom's side of the family has gotten together in August for a family reunion.  With family in New York, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and Indiana, it's hard to get everyone together.  However, everyone but the family from Georgia were able to make it, which is a true blessing!  Everyone had a wonderful time reconnecting with each other--and we loved it because our kids were entertained the entire day! 

 Owen, Reese, Quinn, Reid, and Ryan

 Larry and Jeri's family

 It was so nice to catch up with everyone!

 Grandma Sheets with her grandchildren (missing Tina!)

 Grandma Sheets with her children.

 Joel's cousin, Lisa, started her own ministry a few years ago and just wrote & published her first Bible study guide.  We are so proud of her!

 Grandma Sheets with all of her great-grandchildren--minus Brandon and Libby. 

 Grandpa Doug and Grandma Marsh with their grandkids.

 

 The boys showing off their muscles...

 Reese had to join in, too!

 Uncle Lynn and Aunt Sharon once again caught and fried 400 fish for our family.  Thanks, guys!

 The hammock was a popular spot!

 Normally the boys play football, but this was the year of kickball.  :)

 

 Reid loved playing with "Big Ry-Ry" all day.  He was a huge fan!

Reid gave Katherine a hug AND a kiss!  Everyone was so sweet to him!

We know it won't be long until we're getting together again next year!

Are You Ready for Some Football???

Ryan is playing flag football this year through HSE Sports.  Someone knew someone in the organization who was able to put all of the SLDM 1st Grade boys on the same team, so all but 2 are from our school.  We've learned that can be a good and bad thing.  :)  The good part is that all of the boys know each other, and the parents get to hang out during practices and games.  The bad part is the boys know each other a little too well and just want to goof off when they're supposed to be listening to their coaches.  Still, we're all having a great time!

The games are at Cyntheanne Park, which seems like it's in Ohio.  ;)  I guess I never realized how far the east boundaries of Fishers are.  The nice thing about this park is that it is new and has a fun playground for Reese and Reid to enjoy during the games.

 Here is Ryan's team, the UCLA Bruins.

  In the back:  Coach Bonacuse, Coach Hall, Coach Ayres, and Coach Toombs

Second row:  Ryan, Ian, Jack, Ben, Eli, Cooper, Colin

Front row:  Paul, Austin, Lukas, Will, Andy, and Danny

 We didn't pay for the team or individual pictures, but Ryan wanted to have me take one with my camera.  Of course Reid photobombed the picture, and then the other boys joined in:

Ryan with Danny, Lukas, Andy and Reid

Go, UCLA Bruins!!!

Playdate at Forest Park

Kelly and I met at Forest Park in Noblesville for an impromptu playdate.  It was finally a cooler day (meaning it wasn't in the 90's!), and it was nice to be outside enjoying the beautiful weather!

 Reese and Ryan buckled Reid into his carseat for me while I was gathering up our things in the house.  It was so sweet because Reid has been terrible about wanting to be buckled in for the past few months.  He often puts up a fight, so I was grateful to not have to do it for once.  However, when we arrived at the park, I noticed his shoes were nowhere in sight.  They were still at home!  Oh, well--at least I had all 3 kids with me.  :)  Reid wasn't too keen on running around in barefeet, so he kind of clung to me for a little bit.

 Sweet little Ethan had an ear infection, but he was all smiles at the park!

 The kids were so excited to ride the carousel.  Even Reid was able to ride one of the horses that went up and down.  He loved it!

We loved spending one of our last summer days with our cousins!

Tracy's Wedding

We recently attended the wedding of a good family friend, Tracy.  I have known Tracy ever since she was a baby as we lived in the same neighborhood and our parents were friends.  When I was 10 1/2 (I always throw that 1/2 on there because it seems so much older than 10), I started babysitting for Tracy and her older sister, Kimmy.  I have such fond memories of babysitting for them as they were so much fun!  I remember their mom would bake Jeno's Pizza Rolls on a large cookie sheet, and we'd have those as soon as their parents left.  Then we would watch "Adventures in Babysitting."  Any time I see that movie, I think of watching it with Kimmy and Tracy.  I think we watched it a lot!  

The girls lost their mother suddenly while they we high school, and it just broke my heart.  Still, I know she would be proud to know that they have grown into beautiful women.  Kim was married about seven years ago, and now it was Tracy's turn for her big day!

Tracy and Kevin had a beautiful Mass at a gorgeous Catholic church in Indianapolis.

Tracy and I at the reception.

Here are our good friends, the Ransburgs.  (From left: Shelby, Cheryl, Logan (Ashley's husband), and Ashley) I have so many fabulous memories of spending time with them!  

Here are some of the neighborhood gals--though we're missing a few!  We are hoping to plan a get-together for this fall so we can get everyone together again.  I miss everyone so much!

I'm not sure what happened with these last photos, but I can't get them to format correctly.  The first picture is of Kim and her husband, Jason.  Then of course the next two are of my parents and Joel and me.

I just received a thank you from Tracy in the mail today. Just one more reason to love her!  I am pretty sure I wasn't THAT quick with my thank you's!  I wish her and Kevin the best!