Smith Family Reunion

In September, all my siblings were able to get together here in Texas. It had been a couple years since we were ALL in one place at the same time. Even GG and Yo Papa came down to join in the fun! Every day was a new adventure. We went swimming...

We went to the Children's Museum...

The boys missed out on some of the fun because they were in school, but they still got plenty of time to play with cousins. My dad even organized a "Kid Olympics" in the backyard with kickball...

Horse-apple races...

A balloon popping relay...

And a tug-of-war that turned into jumping rope...

Sadie was determined to to get in on the action, so I helped her out a little...

GG and Yo Papa were on the sidelines to referee all the games...

Later in the week, the adults managed to sneak in some time away from the kiddos. We went out to eat at a Brazilian churrascaria where we stuffed ourselves into meat comas...

And of course, a visit from family wouldn't be complete without some late night gaming...

All the fun was definitely worth the lost hours of sleep on top of my already sleep-deprived nights!

Back to School

The boys were so excited for school to start this year...and so was I! Matt Mo was probably the most excited of all because he got to start kindergarten. The week before it started, I took the boys up to the school to meet their new teachers and see their classrooms...

Matt got the same teacher Ben had for kindergarten, but we didn't even know it at first because she got married and changed her name. Miss Swarts is now Mrs. Venier and we love her!

Ben started 2nd grade with Ms. Reeves and she has been awesome. He was super excited to see a friend from church was in his class too. Both boys were too shy to take a picture with their teachers, but they were brave enough to give them a little back to school gift...

We also started a new tradition this year that I saw on another blog - back to school crowns and a special dinner...

I couldn't leave Princess Sadie out even though she wasn't starting school...

The kids absolutely loved it...definitely something we'll do every year! The next morning they were all smiles as they headed off for their first day...

Matt Mo felt pretty cool walking into school with his big brother, and Ben was very sweet to walk him to his class...

Ben even let me walk him to his class...not sure he'll go for that next year!

It was strangely quiet at home with just the girls, but we have been enjoying our special time together and the boys have been loving school!

August (According to Instagram)

Like I said, August was a bit of a blur, but I did manage to take some photos, so I'll just let them do the talking...

 

Lucy's Birth

Shortly after we celebrated Ben's birthday, it was time to celebrate another birthday...baby Lucy's! I was set to be induced the morning of July 30, just a few days before she was due. My labor pretty much went like all the others, fairly smooth and quick. I'm so thankful for modern medicine. Once I get my epidural, I'm relaxed and ready to roll...or should I say, push! Lucy Ann Hafen made her big debut at 1:06 pm and weighed in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.

As soon as I saw her little chin quiver across the room, I immediately thought she looked most like her big brother, Matt Mo. Of course, it was love at first sight for everyone who met her...

After lots of snuggle time, she got her first bath right in my room...

She was not really a fan, but was happy as could be once she got swaddled back up.

Thankfully, Granny Sylvia came into town to help with the older kids at home. She brought them up for a visit a little later that day. They were all so excited to meet her!

Before we knew it, we were bringing her home!

The rest of the month of August is kind of a blur. All I know is there was a whole lot of eating and sleeping on Lucy's part and not nearly enough on mine. I was just trying to survive until the boys started school a few weeks later.