Junior Olympix 2011

While both girls were still in recreational gymnastics, they wanted to participate in Junior Olympics. Come to find out, it wasn't the performance part that they cared about, it was the t-shirt and trophy at the end. Aubrey and Mike were at a swim meet so they had to meet us there.

Bannon's always does such a nice job of decorating for their special events.

They even got their names on the wall. Hanging with the family before it started.
Here are the trophies and t-shirts they could wait to get.We LOVE all the coaches at Bannon's but Coach Jennifer is extra special because she has taught each of the girls at some point.
Lily and Emery posing with their proud big sister and little brother.

Graduation

This was a BIG, exciting day for us. Aubrey was graduating from preschool. Before the ceremony, the preschool 3's and graduates sang a few songs for their parents.

The graduate marching in...
...walking across the stage...

...receiving her diploma...
...and posing for a picture with her two teachers.

After the ceremony, the PTO put on a little reception for the kids to enjoy some donuts and kolaches while they said "good-bye" to their friends. MIMI and PawPaw came to watch the preschool graduation before they left for Austin to watch our nephew graduate from college. The VERY proud parents of a soon-to-be kindergartener. After the reception, the kids had a choice to go back to class or leave for the day. Mike and I decided to take Aubrey out for a special day by herself. We went to lunch at the restaurant of her choice--sushi. Then she and I went to kindergarten orientation at Yeager while Daddy went to pick the other kids up from their last day of school.

Congratulations Aubrey Mae!

School's out for Summer

This is the morning of...

the last day of school for the summer

the last day Toddler 2's, Preschool 3's and Pre-K

the last day of 4 years at Foundry Faith Academy for Aubrey.

Aubrey tends to take on the emotions of Mommy. So the look on her face is the joy, excitement, nervousness, sense of pride and sadness that I was feeling that morning.Every year we have had amazing teachers at Foundry. It is always hard to say 'good-bye' at the end of the year but we look forward to seeing them again in the halls next year.

Carter with Ms. Gwen and Ms. Diana

Emery with Mrs. GuerreroLily with Ms. Leanne and Ms. Kathy
Aubrey with Mrs. Day and Ms. Mory

Splash Day

As the end of the year was approaching, the teachers assigned days for kids with summer birthdays to bring treats to school to celebrate.

This was Lily and Emery's special day. They chose to bring 'fancy' brownies (i.e. brownies in cupcake holders with icing and pink sprinkles :-) Start the morning off with a group hug and a quick pic!
One of the last events of the school year that the PTO puts on is Splash Days. This is an afternoon for the Preschool kiddos filled with any way possible to get wet and messy. It was the first year we had a water slide and it was a HUGE hit.

Aubrey painting herself with baby shampoo.

Aubrey attempting to get wet.
That was definitely my favorite part of the day!

Lily making bubbles.

Lily cleaning the toys?!?!

Emery doin' a little painting also.

The day ended with everyone enjoying popsicle. Each girl had a blast in her own way!

Mother's Day

MOTHER'S DAY...a day to celebrate...being a mom of four beautiful, healthy, loving children...my mother who has been through so much in her 60 years of life and continues to be there for me each and every day...my mother-in-law who is extremely generous and giving...my mom friends who listen to me and encourage me to be the best mom I can be.

The Saturday of Mother's Day weekend, the girls and I went to a mother/daughter luncheon and fashion show at church. We made paper dolls, ate a delicious lunch and watched a fun, silly fashion show put on by the drama team. It was a nice way to spend an afternoon with my girls.

That Sunday after church we met MIMI and PawPaw at the club to continue celebrating Mother's Day.

MIMI and Lily or "Mini-MIMI" as we like to call her

Mom's Munch

The Preschool classes get to invite the moms up to school for a special Mother's Day celebration. Aubrey's was right after drop off so we enjoyed a breakfast treat together. Her teachers helped her make me this beautiful flower pot.
While all the moms and kids were together, we took the opportunity to surprise Ms. Day with a baby bag full of goodies for her new baby boy that was to arrive in two weeks. Ms. Day was very appreciative of all of her adorable gifts. Aubrey's Pre-K class with Ms. Day and Ms. Mory
That afternoon, right before pick-up, I went back to school to celebrate Mother's Day with my twin girls. The girls are not in the same class so I had to do a little running back and forth. I was thankful that their classrooms are connected by a bathroom :-)

Lily presented me with this beautiful corsage when I entered the room.
We enjoyed some fruit, cheese/crackers and a cookie...two times!
Emery was very patiently waiting for me to come to her class. One of my good friends/co-workers has a son in Emery's class, so she helped be the 'mommy' while I was with Lily.

Both girls gave me a gift that contained a precious picture frame that they made. Of course, it had a picture of them in it!
By the end, I decided it would be easier to have them together in one room. They enjoyed it also. I love these times of not only getting to celebrate being a mom to these amazing children but getting to spend time with them in a different element. I am so proud to be their mom!

Easter Sunday

The kids got up very excited to hunt the eggs we had dyed that the Easter bunny had hidden in the backyard. (side note: it was an extremely humid morning and all the dye on the eggs was dripping off into the kids hands but that didn't stop most of them :-)

Carter was either not completely awake or not sure about the possibilities of what he was going to find hidden in the yard.

There is always some kind of friendly competition going on in the Hall house...this one was a race to see who could get the most eggs the quickest.

The girls decided to take a break from their hunting to show their little brother that it is fun and easy to collect eggs.
And then he realized he didn't want to miss out on any of the fun!
Dressed and ready for church.
We love getting to enjoy Easter brunch at Champions with the Chenoweth family.
He is Risen. Alleluia!
Love, The Hall Family