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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Summer recap

It's been a long, hot summer!  Since Florida, we have stayed busy to fill our days.  Kyle did his first 2-week session of swim lessons mid-June






and we signed him up for another 2 weeks mid-July.





He really loved going and he learned a lot.  The lifeguard at our pool has commented more than once how much his swimming has improved since the beginning of the summer.  He now swims without a vest and can hold himself up in the water well.  We still need to work on doing "row row arms", but he has come a long way.

We've also stayed busy with playdates to the Houston Fire Museum, the Westside Club, the splash pad, backyard splash parties, the zoo, the new dinosaur exhibit at the museum, and the arboretum among other things.  We also visited the library a few times and Kyle was excited to pick his 2 free picks for having books read to him.  We made a trip in mid-July to Mississippi for Grandaddy Gray's funeral.  It was sad to lose such a great man, but we know he is in a better place with no more pain.  We had a great time visiting with family and the boys loved being in the "country."

Here are some pictures to document what we've done this summer:

We ride the jeep daily
Petting the goats at the zoo
Riding the train at the mall
Summer haircuts
Backyard splash day
4th of July fireworks with Gavin
Riding with Uncle Dennis in his gator
Wearing Uncle Dennis' hats
Stylin'
Such a talent
Astros game with daddy and Aunt Kelly

Friday, June 22, 2012

Florida 2012

We made a return trip to Northwest Florida and had a great time once again!  This year we went a bit further south to the Rosemary Beach area.  We really loved the family feel of the small towns that we stayed near. Our condo was right on the beach and we had great views.  Kyle and Nolan loved having their own room...the loft on the top floor and they often held a dance party up there!  Both boys liked the beach, especially when we found a sand bar area and were able to let them splash and run around without going in too deep.  We can't wait to go back!

Ready to roll!
Family photo
Loved it here!
Beach boys
The view from the condo
Deep hole
Ryan's turn
Cool cats ready for the beach
Our beach spot
Working on a volcano
Cheese!
Popsicle break during a brief Gulf shower
On one of our morning rides 
Fun at the outlets
Slight delay on our return
Back on the road - Ryan pulling the plug to his DVD player
Stickers!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

School's out for summer!

Kyle and Ryan had their last day of school on Thursday.  It was the end of an "era" for the boys who had been at Westchase Methodist School since they were both 12 weeks old!  It was sad to say goodbye to teachers and friends, but Kyle is looking forward to going to elementary school in the fall.    
 Kyle and Ms. Bernice
 Gavin, Bruno, Sydney, and Kyle
 Ryan and Ms. Lili
Ryan and "Isa" (Isabel)

Kyle is 4!

Last Sunday Kyle turned 4 and we celebrated his big day with a splash party with friends.  We had a race car "theme" to some extent.  This was Kyle's first time to have a friend party and we had a blast.  He was a lucky boy and received great gifts from everyone which has kept him entertained in the days since.  Thanks to his bestie Gavin for letting us borrow his awesome bounce house and to all his friends and cousins for making his day extra special! 













Friday, May 25, 2012

2 weeks

Today is the last day of my 2 week notice.  After 5 1/2 years as a Financial Analyst for Randalls, I've decided to hang it up and stay home with the boys.  It was always our intention to have me stay home with the kids once they were in elementary school.  As Kyle enters Pre-K at Nottingham in the fall, I'll be there to welcome him home everyday.  We decided to give Kyle the summer off as he has been in school every day of his short life since he was 12 weeks old.  I am anxious about my time home with the boys this summer, but am confident things will fall into place once we get a routine down.  In September, Ryan will attend a mother's day out program at our church and I will begin my volunteering.  I'm looking forward to my new job!

Here are a few pictures of my best office buds, Vicky and Stacy and the office I'm leaving behind:





  

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Typical Saturday

This video pretty much sums up a typical Saturday morning at the Gray house.


That's my boy!

I think Ryan gets his love of dancing from me!