• Creative Kids: Woodworking Class

    Brina made this cool piece in class

    Well we have made it halfway through the 2019-2020 school year! WooHoo!!!  While there are aspects of school that can be quite exhausting there are other parts that are fun.  Brina recently brought home this neat project.  It’s cool to see everything that they are learning in their classes. She had a great time doing this at school and it turned out really well. I think it’s awesome that she is learning how to use and operate a variety of tools. The first projects she made when she was little were treasured works of art as well, but she has come a long way from the crayon scribbles on a sheet of paper.  Thankful for the opportunities for the kids to learn and use their creativity.

    Like anything in life some projects are more fun and exciting to do! Whether you are doing tasks around the house or work some are going to use a lot creativity and be more enjoyable while other projects that are just as important will not be as much fun (laundry, washing dishes, etc).  May we always continuing learning and growing no matter what stage of life we are in whether it is doing something creative and fun or tackling the necessary life activities for that day.

  • Brina & Karlie’s 5th Grade Graduation Party & Celebration!

    5th Grade Graduation Party & Celebration

    Brina and Karlie with Mrs. Johnson at their Graduation Celebration Party!  Mrs. Johnson was Karlie’s homeroom teacher in 2nd Grade, taught Karlie in Gift & Talented Program from 3rd grade up, and was both girls STEM Club Coach for 2 years.  Excellent teacher!!!

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    Such a sweet Daddy spent a lot of time helping get ready for this big day including helping cut starfish, decorate, blow up balloons, and so much more.  Thankful to have a partner that pitches in and takes the time to celebrate with the kids!

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    Luau theme at the Grad Party!  The kids had a blast!

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    Karlie with her homeroom teacher Mr. Moore and her friend David!  Mr. Moore was an awesome teacher!

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    Brina hanging out with her friend at the party!

    P1640622cSweet Sisters!  Thankful for these two girls!

  • School: Karlie’s 5th Grade Awards! Good Job KARLIE!

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    Karlie’s 5th Grade Awards!

    Brina and Karlie had their 5th grade Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 27, 2016.  There is something both unique and special about having twins because they challenge and encourage each other in many areas of their lives.  Thankful for the girls love of learning.  It is great seeing them grow up into amazing young ladies!

    Jake and I knew the girls did really well this year, worked hard, and got decent grades, but we were still surprised at how well they did.  Thankful for all their hardwork regarding school.  It has obviously paid off and they have learned a lot throughout the year.   They did fantastic this year.  It was a tough year, but it was worth all their effort!

    All there teachers were excellent and encouraged them to learn a lot while making learning fun for the students!  Their Homeroom Teachers, Gifted & Talented Teacher, Reading Teacher, and STEM Club Coaches, Library Leader, Chorus Director, Safety Patrol Leader, Beta Club Leader, the Administration Leadership Team and more  were all good about communicating with the parents which is always key in helping the kids be successful.   Thankful for all the teachers and all energy they put into our kids this school year.

    We are VERY PROUD of the hard work Karlie put forward this year and the amount she was able to accomplish throughout her 5th grade year!  The girls have the biggest class in the school so it is a huge honor to get these awards.  Way to go kiddo!!!

    Karlie received the following 18 Award Certificates, 13 Award Medals, 3 Award Pins, 2 Trophies, & 4 Specialty Awards:

    • 1 – Highest Math Achievement Awards (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Social Studies Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Reading Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Science Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Language Arts Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – “A” Honor Roll Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Jet Toy Challenge Competition Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – Brina’s Team went to Regional Competition)
    • 1 – 5th Grade Elementary School Diploma (It’s official that she has graduated up to 6th grade – Middle School. Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Medal, & 1 Stuffed Bear)
    • 1 – Helping Hands & Beta Club Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – for doing Community Service Projects throughout the school year)
    • 1 – Chorus Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – participated in Community Chorus Events & Activities throughout the year)
    • 1 – Academic Excellence Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Library Assistant & Book Worm Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Adorable Book Worm)
    • 1 – President’s Education Awards for Outstanding Academic Excellence (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Pin)
    • 1 – Safety Patrol Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Pin)
    • 1 – 1st Place Accelerated Reading Award & Trophy (Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Medal, & 1 Trophy – Karlie broke her schools record in highest AR Points!!!)
    • 1 – Children’s Book Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – STEM Club Award (STEM Club Team – went to state) (Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Pin, & STEM Organizer for next school year)
    • 1 – Gift & Talented “GT” Gift Award (Received a Karlie’s Characteristic Gift Award from GT Teacher and Classmates
    • 1 – All A’s All Years in Elementary School Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Trophy)

    Karlie and Brina together received  34 Award Certificates + 25 Award Medals + 6 Award Pins + 3 Trophies + 1 Cash Prize + 7 Specialty Awards at their 5th Grade Awards Ceremony!

    Love these girls! XOXO

  • School: Brina’s 5th Grade Awards! Way to GO BRINA!

    Karlie & Brina's 5th Grade Awards

    Brina’s 5th Grade Awards!

    Brina and Karlie had their 5th grade Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 27, 2016.  Jake and I knew the girls did really well this year, worked hard, and got decent grades, but we were still surprised at how well they did.  Thankful for all their hardwork regarding school.  It has obviously paid off and they have learned a lot throughout the year.  They both had awesome teachers which is always beneficial for the kids too.

    We did not even save seats for the girls (we didn’t realize that they would need to sit with us after graduation), but it didn’t matter because they barely even sat down before they were called back up on stage to receive their next award.  They did fantastic this year.  It was a tough year, but it was worth all their effort!

    All there teachers were excellent and encouraged them to learn a lot while making learning fun for the students!  Their Homeroom Teachers, Gifted & Talented Teacher, Reading Teacher, and STEM Club Coaches, Library Leader, Chorus Director, Safety Patrol Leader, Beta Club Leader, the Administration Leadership Team and more  were all good about communicating with the parents which is always key in helping the kids be successful.   Thankful for all the teachers and all energy they put into our kids this school year.

    We are VERY PROUD of the hard work Brina put forward this year and the amount she was able to accomplish throughout her 5th grade year!  The girls have the biggest class in the school so it is a huge honor to get these awards.  Way to go chickie-a-dee!!!

    Brina received the following 16 Award Certificates, 12 Award Medals, 3 Award Pins, 1 Trophy, 1 Cash Prize, &  3 Specialty Awards:

    • 1 – Highest Math Achievement Awards (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Social Studies Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Reading Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Highest Language Arts Achievement Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – “A” Honor Roll Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Jet Toy Challenge Competition Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – Brina’s Team went to Regional Competition)
    • 1 – School Science Fair Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Regional Science Fair 1st Place Grand Prize SCPC Winner (Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Medal, 1 Grand Prize Trophy, & a Cash Prize)
    • 1 – 5th Grade Elementary School Diploma (It’s official that she has graduated up to 6th grade – Middle School. Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Medal, & 1 Stuffed Bear)
    • 1 – Helping Hands & Beta Club Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – for doing Community Service Projects throughout the school year)
    • 1 – Chorus Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal – participated in Community Chorus Events & Activities throughout the year)
    • 1 – Academic Excellence Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Medal)
    • 1 – Library Assistant & Book Worm Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Adorable Book Worm)
    • 1 – President’s Education Awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Pin)
    • 1 – Safety Patrol Award (Received 1 Award Certificate & 1 Award Pin)
    • 1 – STEM Club Award (STEM Club Team – went to state) (Received 1 Award Certificate, 1 Award Pin, & STEM Organizer for next school year)

    Brina and Karlie together received  34 Award Certificates + 25 Award Medals + 6 Award Pins + 3 Trophies + 1 Cash Prize + 7 Specialty Awards at their 5th Grade Awards Ceremony!

    Love these girls! XOXO

  • CONGRATULATIONS Brina & Karlie! 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony!

    Proud of our girls!

    We are so proud of our girls!  They did it!  Both girls successfully completed all of their elementary school classes.  It is hard to believe that they are now heading into middle school.  They went to Crosswell for 7 years!  Thankful for all the great teachers and administration that invested all their time and energy into our girls.  They have grown and learned a lot of about life, friends, and increased their knowledge.

    Congratulations Brina & Karlie!

    Today was a big celebration for all they have accomplished in their schooling.  It came with a lot of emotions for me as their Mom.  I was thrilled and happy while at the same time sad knowing that my babies are growing up very quickly.  I want to hold onto and treasure these precious moments because these past few years have gone by way too fast.

      Brina getting her diploma from Mr. Holliday!

    We look forward to seeing them continue to grow.  They are sweet girls who have grown up so much.  It will be neat to see them transition into Middle School.  Love our girls!

      Karlie getting her diploma from Mr. Holliday!

    My girls are not babies anymore!

  • Flashback Friday: Ready for Snow!

    Sled Ride - Brina and Karlie (9 Months, Nov. 2005)c

    Brina and Karlie

    Ready for a winter snow now!  The girls are all ready to try out their sled.  They were so excited with all the fun festivities going on during this time of year.  It was a fun experience going through the Holiday season for the first time with the girls.

  • Flashback Friday: Celebrating & Fun with Family

    Flashback Friday - Brina reaching for Rachel's cakec

     Brina trying to steal a piece of Rachel’s birthday cake!

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when the girls were eight months old.  We celebrated my brother Lee’s birthday with several of our cousins who were still going to college in town.  The girls learned how hold their bottles on their own.  They loved being silly and playing together.  They could easily make each other laugh.

    Brina watching Uncle Lee playing with her toyc

     Brina hanging out with cousins Rachel, Alecia, and Jordan.

    Everyone enjoying a game of Cranium at Lee's Birthday Partyc

     Playing a game….fun times!

    Karlie liking the cool whipc

     Daddy gave Karlie a bite of Uncle Lee’s birthday cake.  He let her lick off one of the candles.

    Opps, Karlie has cool whip on her nosec

     Ummm….Karlie….I think you might have some frosting on your nose.

    Flashback Friday - They think they are so funny - Brina and Karliec

     They think they are so funny…silly girls playing around before drinking their bottles – Brina & Karlie

    Brina loving her treasurec

     Brina happy and playing on the floor

    Karlie smiling for the camerac

    Karlie smiling at all the fun toys around her

    Flashback Friday - Brina checking out the walls, Karlie still trying to figure out what's going onc

     Two babies in a bucket, they were ok with this until Jake spun them around.  Then both Brina and Karlie didn’t like it.

    Brina with her feet up on Karlie's walkerc

    Brina in the Johnny Jump Up with her feet on Karlie’s walker tray.  They thought they were so funny in this position!

    Flashback Friday - Karlie thinks she is funny with the bull's eye stuck on her nosec

    Karlie you have a bulls eye target stuck to your nose.  She didn’t care.

    Flashback Friday - Brina so proud of herselfc

    Brina laughing and making some noise.

    Brina thought she was so funnyc

     Silly Brina it’s time to get dressed not time for playing!

    Morning bottles - Brina and Karliec

    This was a big moment for them.  They officially can hold their own bottles.  It was an exciting and sad day for Mommy.  I was glad they could do it and it saved me a lot of extra time, but I did miss some of the morning snuggles with them.    I was able to squeeze in plenty throughout the day though.

    Karlie really enjoying the book Guess How Much I Love Youc

    Daddy and Karlie reading a book together.  Karlie LOVED reading books!

    Flashback Friday - Brina so pleased with her slick blue ballc

     Brina was thrilled to find the blue ball and that she could pick it up and throw it by herself.

  • Flashback Friday: Hanging Out At Home

    Flashback Friday - Awful lot of talking and moving for quiet nap time - Karlie and Brinac

    Two little critters, Karlie and Brina, who are talking, laughing, and giggling when it is suppose to be nap time.

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back on October 2005 when the girls were 8 months old.  They have started babbling a lot more and discovered that they could get our attention when they shriek.  Brina especially had a shrill screech she would make followed by lots of giggles.  The first time she did it she surprised herself so of course she decided to just do it more.

    They are happy babies.  We tried to do some fun Fall activities with them this year.  They didn’t understand everything we were doing, but were always up for an adventure.  They were my little cuddle bugs.  Love my sweet girls.

    We love our books - oh yeah - Karlie and Brinac

     Karlie and Brina very excited about the cool John Deere books Daddy brought home for them!  

    Flashback Friday - Brina getting excited and doing her screechesc

    Brina giving one of her shrill screeches….wish I could transfer it into an audio on this picture.

    Karlie giving us a smilec

    Karlie is all smiles as she plays

    Brina is talking this morningc

    Brina talking with Mommy.  While I couldn’t understand what she was saying at this point she loved to happily chat away.

    Karlie loving lifec

    Karlie cutting some more teeth and drooling like crazy, but still a sweet happy baby.

    Brina up close and trying to steal the camerac

    Brina decided that she was going to steal my camera

    Karlie proud to be in charge of Mommy's cupc

    Karlie in charge of Mommy’s water cup, so proud of her big girl duty!  She didn’t even tip it.

    Flashback Friday - Brina on her cool ridec

    Brina loves the riding toys!  Anything to keep moving!

    Hey, what's up doc - Karliec

    What’s up Karlie rabbit!  Not sure about these glasses Mom!

    Sleepy Brinac

    Brina our little two finger sucker.

    Flashback Friday - Daddy's coming back from his first work trip to Plano, TXc

    Daddy’s first work trip away since the girls were born to Plano, Texas!  It was so good to have him back home again.

    Flashback Friday - Awake and ready for their 1st Halloween - Karlie and Brinac

    They are so happy first thing in the morning.  It is cute hearing giggles from their crib in the mornings – Karlie and Brina

    Brina and Karlie taking a nap so they can go out on Halloween nightc

    Brina and Karlie crashed in their seats

    Brina chewing away as Karlie smilesc

    Playing is one of their favorite activities!  Brina chewing on a toy and Karlie looking up to smile at Mommy!