Soccer

 We decided to sign Carson up for soccer this season at the YMCA. We were a little hesitant about it since Carson had never played a sport before and we weren't sure how interested he would be. He is also so shy we were worried he wouldn't want to play. So Aaron decided he would coach and I convinced his little group of friend from church to all sign up and play and BAM, we became one of those families with an extracurricular activity that we plan our Saturdays around. 

Well the first game went about as expected. Carson just kind of ran around following kids, he wasn't too interested in the game and loved watching the clock count down backwards. The other team pretty much killed Carson's team and Aaron worried that Carson would feel bad. He walked up to him and asked him if he was okay and Carson said, "what's 80 plus 30?" But after the game he said it was fun and I loved hanging out with all my friends on Saturday morning and so we counted it as a success. I told everyone that I didn't think soccer was Carson's thing but he kept saying he liked it and was having fun. 

He wanted to practice and both Aaron and I would practice with him in the backyard and Aaron went a few times with him up the park to practice with his friends. (His team didn't have practice) Well as the season went on he just kept getting better and then all the sudden he scored a goal. He was so excited and the season changed. He was totally into it and became that aggressive kid going after the ball and scoring goals. It was so great for his confidence. His teachers at school noticed he was a lot less shy and we just had a super fun season. Aaron loved coaching and loved the kids. All the kids got much better and had a lot of fun. 

The last game we brought pizza and had a little party to get their medals. They were so cute. 

The Tigers before their first game. 

I was very proud of my little soccer player and we can't wait to play again in the fall. 

Memorial Day

Our Memorial Day started out very early with a 20 mile run, in some heat! I couldn't do any long runs while Aaron was out of town so we did it as soon as he got back. Thankfully Jeana didn't mind waiting and since it was a holiday everyone's schedule was a little more flexible. Jeana's family came and cheered us on and brought us cold water. (Jamie snuck in for the picture, she did not run with us :)

Later that day we went to the movies and then out to dinner with all our friends. It was a really fun day and we lucked out with nice weather that evening. The Harmans brought sparklers and Camilla thought they were great!

It was such a fun day and a great way to welcome Aaron home! 

Russia

Aaron went to Russia the day after graduation to visit his parents on their mission. He had a fabulous time and I hope he will do a blog post all about it. (hint, hint)

While he was gone we tried to stay busy and stay sane. One morning I woke up to find this on my floor. I guess I slept pretty hard not to notice or wake up when she came in. 

We also had my sister, Kimberly's, baby shower in Arlington. It was a couple's shower and it was fabulous in every way. I only took a picture of the food. Kim's husband, Eric, catered the party and it was unbelievable. 

We were very excited for Aaron to come home and the kids love walking around the house with their toys from Russia. I'm pretty sure I'm never letting Aaron go out of town for that long again and that I'm getting a massage this week. 

Graduation Day

He did it! Aaron graduated on Friday. We are so, so proud of how hard he has worked these past two years and cannot believe it has come to an end. Our family has changed so much and we've added Brooke since we have been in Austin and its just flown by. 

We surprised Aaron with a poster that morning and the kids had a lot of fun making it and I'm very proud didn't eat any of it before Daddy got it. 

Aaron's brother's family drove down for the ceremony. This was very nice of them to do, especially with 3 kids and a very long ceremony. 

My parents also made the trip, even with my mother's broken hip. Such troopers. 

Aaron was so happy, I don't have very many memories of him being this happy. 

In case you were wondering about all those cords around his neck...that's what you get when you are a smarty pants. Aaron graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, one of 2 in his program to do so. He worked very hard and it payed off. I was so proud of him. 

On to new adventures! Aaron doesn't start working until the beginning of August so we have a summer of fun all planned out and I can't wait to get it started. 

Celebration

With two graduations this week we have done a lot of celebrating. We had a party at our house on Tuesday night for Aaron and Carson. It was a lot of fun. It was just friends and food and hanging out but we all had a great time. I am just so proud of my two little graduates. 

Carson has had parties galore this week at preschool and got his face painted on the last day of school. Then his Dad took him to get a smoothie on the way home, he was a happy boy. 

Thursday night we had a dinner at Salt Lick for the families in town for graduation. It was a gorgeous night and fun to meet all the families of Aaron's classmates. 

The kids (we left Brooke with a babysitter) had a great time climbing this tree for most of the night. 

So happy to be spending the night with their Dad! We are getting so excited for graduation! 

Life

Life continues on and goes by too quickly. Some fun things lately are Carson is taking swim lessons. They have been okay but one of the things he was afraid of was back kicks and now they are his favorite part.

The weather has been fabulous lately and we have been spending some of our evenings playing soccer and volleyball outside and jumping on the trampoline. Millie and me love playing on the small play set. 

Love this dog! 

Pre-K Graduation

I can't believe my little boy graduated from pre-k this week. I didn't know how emotional I would be until I got there and saw him walking down the aisle and I just kind of lost it a little. I love him so much and am not ready for him to be starting school. I could seriously keep this one home with me for a few more years. 

His graduation was just as cute as you would expect it to be. They sang songs and used their instruments and all looked adorable. 

Carson with his teachers, Ms. Carmen and Ms. Heather. They were both great. 

Aaron was almost the first parent there and had front row seats. So proud of his boy!

Afterwards there was cake and happiness. It was a fun day. 

Muffins with Mom

So I had a special Mother's Day breakfast at Carson's school this week and it was probably one of my most favorite mornings ever. They did such a great job with it, the tables were decorated and the kids had made the cutest things for us. I loved all of it. Carson was so excited about the whole thing, especially orange juice for breakfast. 

Camilla thought she was just as much a part of this as Carson was and she loved it just as much. 

I had a wonderful Mother's Day that was just as relaxing and fun as a Mom can hope for. Aaron and the kids made me breakfast in bed and were sweet to me. Aaron also made a delicious dinner and got me a new running tank top (he knows me very well). I am grateful for the mothers in my life, my own and my mother in law, who are amazing examples to me in completely different ways. I am also so grateful for my sweet children who made me a mother teaching me more than I could have ever learned on my own. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life! 

Aaron's Last Day of School!

Here he is, my Aaron, on his last day of school ever. 

Aaron took his last final on Friday, his last final people. I can not believe he is done with school for forever. I just feel like these past two years have gone by so quickly and have been so wonderful. Aaron has made some great friends and had such a good experience at UT. I am so proud of how hard he has worked and all he has accomplished. We look forward to the time we have before work starts. 

We had an MBA dinner this week as well. It was very nice and fun to see Aaron's classmates and hear about their accomplishments. I was a proud wife. 

Healthy Kids Day

 Last week was Healthy Kid's Day at our YMCA so after Carson's soccer game we went to check it out. It was fun, the kids had a good time. They had two bounce houses, which means heaven for my kids so they were happy. Add that to the fact that Carson won a free milkshake from Chick fila, umm... healthy?, which we picked up on the way home and Carson was quickly declaring it the best day ever. On the phone with his grandma the next day he was just as excited about scoring a goal as he was over his cookies and creme shake. 

They had a small petting zoo. Carson was too scared but Camilla was brave enough to touch the little chicks, while Aaron was holding her. :) I do not have brave kids. 

The next day the kids looked so cute before church that we took their picture. Brooke looked cute too, don't get me wrong, but we are still trying to figure out the best way to get pictures of all three of them together. 

Carson wanted to go home teaching with Aaron that afternoon, apparently he didn't like Aaron's lesson.