Stephen's Announcement

"I have a baby brother! It's a boy!!!"

The storm trooper ring he is holding is from the blue cupcakes we brought home to announce the gender to the children. We brought them home in a bag to unveil together. They devoured them so quickly and excitedly that I didn't even get to take a picture! Speaking of pictures, I don't really have a great one of baby boy to share. We had to do our ultrasound at the hospital this time (NOT my favorite). The tech was great except that he didn't get a profile shot and barely sent us home with any pictures...but they were on CD, so we didn't realize until it was too late. He did a great job nailing the gender, though, which was most important to me! So exciting!!!

FIRST AGGIE GAME!

Lito took Austin and the two oldest girls to the Aggie game yesterday. It was the girls' first game and Austin's first since being an alumnus. They had a great time...and it was a great game!

  

 Mariana found a 12th man towel after the game - so exciting!

 

Just for fun

The children watching Austin's plane land Wednesday night. He was gone for a whole week, and we are sure glad to have him back!

Pumpkin Patch

We visited our annual pumpkin patch yesterday (finally...we usually go at the beginning of Oct) to pick out some pumpkins for our fall decorations. It is so sweet that the children always get so excited about this. They had a great time, especially Anastasia. She kept picking up pumpkins and bringing them to me. We would have bought about 20 if it were up to her!

Last Day of Hot Shots

Stephen had his last day of soccer yesterday (sadly for him). Pawpaw and Manah were here to watch since Daddy is gone. He played great as usual and even played a new game, the tunnels.

Piano Recital

The girls had their fall recital today featuring duets. My camera was acting up again (would only take a still shot), so I missed Mariana's solo, which she did really well on. It was Ode to Joy.

Here is her duet with Haley: Blackfoot River


And Allia's duet with Richie: Gavotte (Bach)



Allia's Solo:  Sonata in C, 1st Movement (Motzart)

 Allia fixed Mariana's hair (and Gloria's, who was at a birthday party during the recital), and I fixed hers to match. :) They call them Kirsten Braids, after the American Girl.

 Flowers from Pawpaw and Manah

The Pretties!

Our parish put up rainbow pinwheels to attract attention to the signs about the Aquinasfest many weeks ago. Anastasia called them "pretties," and every time we were there she went running for them. It was so sweet. Of course, they disappeared once the festival was over, much to Anastasia's disappointment. Austin found some on clearance at HEB and wisely bought several. Before we could even surprise her with them, she discovered some in the neighbor's yard down the street and kept running for them. So I convinced him it was urgent that we assemble them and put them in the yard! She was thrilled!

Quick visit

Auntie Carol, Auntie Laura, Vanessa and Serina stopped in for a quick visit yesterday. The children really enjoyed seeing them. When it got close to nap time, Anastasia enjoyed a little snuggle with Auntie Laura. So sweet.

And the volleyball photo/video

They were on Austin's phone, so it took me longer to blog them.

Sports Saturday, Take 3

We started this week off with Gloria's game. I took she and Allia to soccer while the others went to enjoy the A/C at volleyball. :)

Gloria started out in the first half still a little sleepy, so we pepped her up with Gatorade and a chocolate Clif bar at half time. She was much more into the game the 2nd half!

Allia had team photos today. Here are my shots...

The sun peeked out a little too much after this, so the other photos where everyone was smiling were washed out.

Allia played a great game, and had to play the whole time. Her team had only one sub until someone was hurt, so they played one less player to let some sit out.  It was hot, but she really stuck with it, and I was so proud. She got to play goalie at the end of the game. Her team won 2-0.

Daddy visits soccer

Stephen has been doing so well at Hot Shots soccer! Austin was able to get off work yesterday to come watch him.

He is probably the fastest runner in his group. When they play this game with the tails, he is always the last one with a tail and finally wears out and lets someone get his!

So proud. He was extra excited to have Daddy there. He really enjoys having a cheering crowd. :)

Baby time

We had Uncle Matt, Tia Nana and baby Julian over last night (as well as some friends of ours) for a Sunday evening cookout. Austin, Allia and Mariana finally had their chance to hold Julian and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a cute little guy!

Another Sports Saturday

We began bright and early with Mariana's 8am volleyball game. Daddy was so sleepy, he forgot to take pictures. ;) But she played great, making a serve over the net this time (a great accomplishment at her age!) and even returning a serve back over the net to score a point!

The rest of us headed to soccer. Allia played first. They played a tough game with the final score 0-0! Allia made the only goal by her team, but she was offsides, so it didn't count! We were so disappointed, but so proud too!

I headed to pictures with Gloria halfway through Allia's game.
The Flame Throwers

 My favorite player ;)

No photos of Gloria playing this week. It was sweltering out there, and the rest of us left Daddy to watch the last half of her game. We headed to Sam's nearby for some much-earned Icees!

National Night Out

We had our annual neighborhood party Tuesday night. Despite two sports practices that night, everyone was able to go at least for a little while. It was hot but lots of fun, and you can't beat free dinner. Yum! The sno cones were a hit too.