Sessions Family Reunion

Before school started we had our annual Sessions family reunion at Mom and Dad's home in Mt. Hope, Kansas. Everyone was there except Dan, my brother who was deployed in Mosul. But, through skype, we were able to talk to him and see his face and super bald head! It was amazing! We had a lot of good food, laughing and good talks. The kids LOVED playing together and now Gracie and Marley constantly talk about their cousins. We had our traditional talent show, family auction, and family history night and we added a birthday party for all the kids, (since we miss them all year) swimming at the YMCA and a date night when my parents took all the kids!!! (11 out of the 20 grandkids). It was a busy week and we all had so much fun! Thank goodness for Family!

Here are some random pictures from the reunion. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of each family, and we forgot to take one picture with everyone. Oops! Hopefully we'll remember next year. Sorry to everyone I missed.

The baldies: Ben, Mom and Dad. Doesn't my mom look great bald?!

Justion, Heidi and brooklyn

I took these date pictures with my phone,

so they aren't as clear, but I still like them!

Ethan, LaDawn and David

Heidi, Brooklyn and Maria. Maria's date was missing, but he came later in the reunion:)

Anita & Douglas

The kids running to the waterslide that Grandma and Grandpa surprised them with.

SO exciting!!!

Cute little Ethan

Collin taking Marley down the slide. He wan't so sure about it.

Grandpa acting crazy as usual!

Grandpa and Gracie anticipating the freezing water at the bottom of the slide.

Lydia and Sydney soaking up the sun.

Collin dancing with Gracie to Barbie's 12 dancing princesses. So Cute!!!

Collin showing all the girls his moves. He can dance!!

Douglas doing what he does best... Cooking! He made some AMAZING food!

Charlie, Gracie, Daxton and Ella chasing bubbles.

Liam taking Gracie for a ride on Grandpa's lawn mower.

Good thing they have a lot of grass!!

The kids "feeding" cupcakes to all the Dad's at the Mad Hatter birthday party. We celebrated everyone's birthday since we miss them throughout the year. The party was so fun and the hats were a surprise to Mom who has recently added quite a few hats to her wardrobe after losing her hair due to Chemotherapy treatments.

Charley and Daxton

Double trouble, but just so cute!

Celeste looks guilty. I don't think she was expecting to have her picture taken.

Harper and her new best friend, Uncle David

Gracie and Grandma

Williams Family Vacation- South Padre

The second half of our Williams Family vacation was on the coast from Corpus Christi to South Padre. It was HOT, humid and so much fun!!!

Disclaimer: If you don't like looking at other people's vacation pictures, stop now!!!!

I tried to condense and I came up with 25 pictures.

It's a lot, but 25 out of 888 is pretty good, I think.

Enjoy! We did.

This was the view from our room.

It was especially beautiful at night, but our night pictures didn't turn out.

This was a replica of the Nina. Try explaining that to a 4 and 2 year old.

Douglas, Gracie and Marley touching the stingrays at the Corpus Christi Aquarium
The rays were trying to suck on their fingers.

Gracie was so excited to see the dolphins swimming.

Marley too!

Our group minus Darlene who was the photographer.

The Sand castle gift shop

Gracie LOVED the mermaid!!!

NACHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Our family luchadores

The whole family

Finally at the beach!!!

Gracie is our little mermaid

Running from the waves

Douglas riding the skim board
Nice form!!

Gracie and Grandma playing in the waves

Running wild!

Grandma Darlene

I just love this picture! She loves the beach!

Marley digging in the sand

Grandpa Riley

Anita and Marley riding the waves

Williams Family Vacation - Sea World

We had a great week long vacation with the Williams family in August. We headed to San Antonio first and did some shopping, enjoyed the good food and headed to Sea World. Of course the kids liked Sea World the best! They absolutely LOVE Shamu! Even though it was really hot, we had a great day seeing the animals and riding the roller coasters!

Trying to stay cool with some frozen lemonade. Mmmmm

Hanging out on the log ride

Marley and Douglas waiting for Shamu

I just think Gracie looks so grown up in this picture.

She wasn't too excited about striking a pose because she was

watching intently for Shamu to make his entrance.

Grandpa Riley

Grandma Darlene

Marley, Douglas & Anita

Marley was having a blast playing in the water!

So excited!!!

Fishy face

Uncle Leroy, Grandpa Riley and Douglas after getting soaked

Grandpa and Gracie riding the Shamu express

Gracie playing in the water at the end of the day

Marley yelling in excitement

Where did the last 6 weeks go?

Unfortunately, I haven't felt like blogging in the last 6 weeks. Our lives have changed drastically with Gracie in Pre-k and Douglas in the nursing program. We our now waking up at 6am (a huge change for us)and going to bed before 11. It feels great, but it's definitely an adjustment!!! I've been heading to the gym or walking every morning which makes me feel great! But blogging has fallen lower on the priority list. So here is my attempt to catch up...it may take a week or so!

First day of school!

So excited for her first day of school!

Gracie and Douglas, Our 2 students

Gracie greeting her teacher, Mrs. Smith.

I think I was having a harder time than Gracie saying goodbye.

She's was having a blast!

I haven't felt much like blogging lately, but this week is very important for our family. Gracie started pre-k and Douglas started nursing school. We all took Gracie to her first day of school and she was very excited. She recognized her teacher and classroom and felt comfortable instantly. When we kissed her goodbye, she was happy as a clam. Marley wasn't so happy because he wanted to stay and play with the Lightning McQueen chair and the Lego table. Big sisters get to do everything fun!

Let the record show that Douglas teared up first, but once we got to the car we were both sniffling. I can't believe our tiny little baby girl is old enough to go to school! This is an answer to a lot of prayers!

She has loved her first 2 days and I think we'll have a great year. I'm so grateful to have a teacher who is willing to teach and love 18 four year olds. She is a saint!

Last night when we were doing our bedtime routine, Gracie turned to me and said, "Mommy, I miss you when I'm at preschool." and then she turned to Douglas and said, "Papi, I miss you too when I'm at school." My heart melted. I just love moments like that. Gracie is a very thoughtful girl and she's so grown up and smart. She's a blessing in our family.