Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to one of my favorite gals! Hope you have a great day! We can't wait to see you...tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walking Home...

Regan is always so excited to see Ashton and walk with her.

Our house is the one with the green shutters in the background.

The past few weeks have been wonderful! The weather is perfect, and I have been reminded over and over of why we have loved living in Iowa (ask me again in January!). As often as possible, we have been walking over to pick up Ashton after school. I love our little walk that takes us winding through the neighborhood, through some fields, across a little bridge and by a creek. It is absolutely beautiful. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to be back in our house, living in such a great area. Here are some pictures of our walk home...enjoy!

School Time

I am finally getting around to posting these pictures of the girls on their first days of school. We arrived in Iowa on Monday evening, and they both started school on Tuesday. It was quite a whirlwind, and I am proud of them for being brave and confident and adjusting so well. Ashton is in first grade and has a very strict teacher. In just a few days time, her handwriting has become immaculate and she is doing just great. She is an excellent reader and seems to really enjoy school. This year she is loving gym class (a fabulous coach) and gets to go to music and art several times each week. She also tells me that the school lunch is very yummy. One of my favorite things about this year so far is that the girls and I have been walking over to pick up Ashton on most days. The weather is incredible (fall in Iowa), and I love when the bell rings- We scan the flood of kids that come running out and soon spot Ashton. When she sees us, she always lights up, runs over and gives lots of hugs. So much fun.

Jordan is in preschool again and this year she gets to go every afternoon. That took some getting used too! But now she is really liking her new school. She has been studying apples and during center time, she almost always chooses to do coloring or drawing- very artistic. Once people get to know Jordan, they always appreciate her easy going attitude and helpful ways. And her teachers really like having her in class. She has started talking more about her friends at school and even gets a sparkle in her eye when certain boys' names come up!

Both of the girls love picking out their outfits each day- with my help, of course! I like to see what they come up with. When I took them school shopping it was so fun to see their different tastes and personalities. Ashton is all about style, while Jordan is more into comfort. She won't wear jeans because she says the waist "cuts into her sides." I have to agree that at times, jeans can be highly uncomfortable.

Anyway, the girls are loving school, mom is loving the routine and structure, and Regan likes the peace and quiet. There is no time of year quite like September!

True Cowgirls

On the way here, here's what we did!

Jordan and Regan "driving" Grandpa's tractor
Ashton with her best friend Henry
Regan going for a ride!
Climbing up the hay bales (above) and being silly (below)

As we were travelling to Iowa, we got to stop and spend a few days at the farm in Missouri. It was so much fun! We absolutely love being able to visit this amazing place and spend time with Tod's family. The girls always have fun adventures and there is so much to see and do. Since I am a "city girl", I too am always amazed by life on the farm and the feeling that is there. It is hard to describe, but I am so glad we get to be a part of it. The girls are lucky to grow up with this special place in there lives. One of the best things about moving back to Iowa is knowing that the farm is just 5 hours! Some of you may be thinking that is far, but for us, it is just a little drive down the road...and worth every minute of it.

Graduation Day!

Here are some pictures from Tod's graduation at the end of August. It was a day to be very proud. Getting this Masters Degree came to us as such a unexpected oppourtunity, and this day made all the challenges worthwhile. If I had it to do over again, I would have found a baby-sitter for Regan for the actual ceremony...but at least I got to watch Tod go across the stage and receive his hood and diploma. What an accomplishment!

Home to Iowa!

Well, we are officially "home" and have made it back to Iowa! I can't really describe my feelings- excitement, relief, exhaustion and just overall happiness at the way things have worked out. We arrived here Monday night to a sparkling clean house and spruced up yard...thanks to amazing friends who prepared our place for our arrival. Walking into "our house" again was unbelievable.

Our last week in Texarkana was busy with lots of good-byes and excitement. The highlight was the graduation ceremony and seeing Tod receive his hard earned Masters Degree. I am so proud of him and proud of the work and commitment this represents. (Pictures will come shortly- I accidently packed the camera cord and we are still waiting for our stuff to arrive.) Our journey here was fun, and we were able to stop at the farm in Missouri for a few days. Being at the farm is always so great- the weather was beautiful and we got to see our beautiful new niece, Leah Marie (Megan and Jerimy's baby).

This week had been full of firsts- Tod's first day of work (no computer yet, but an office and learning his way around), Ashton's first day of 1st grade (lots of new friends and a teacher who is strict about handwriting), Jordan's first day of preschool (loves that they have lots of "art stuff" to do every day), and my first opportunity to take a deep breath and soak it all in! Regan is just enjoying having room to roam (the stairs are a favorite).

Stay tuned for pictures as soon as our stuff arrives- hopefully at the first of the week!