Alexander's first day of Kindergarten

 Alexander started Kindergarten a few weeks ago as well.  Emily started on a Wednesday and then Alex started the following Tuesday.  He was so sad to not start when she did and was desperate to play with neighbor kids -- but they were all in school.  I told him it would be ok and that him & I could do something fun together.  He looked at me and said, "That's not fun.  I want to play with kids".  Oh, mercy!  :)

 First day of school and of course he had to wear orange (it's his favorite color).  Good thing it's also our school color!  Phew!!  :)

 

 Nelson took the day of work so that once both kids were on the bus and gone at school all day he could either party & celebrate with me, or he could hold me while I cried.   We did a little of both!  I never thought I'd be one of those moms who would cry as their last child went off to school, but it was tough realizing that I wouldn't see either of them until the end of the day.  How did they grow up so fast?!

 

 Getting on the bus and following his sister's lead.  He was a champ!  :)

 There he is waving in Seat #7.  He's now made friends with this little boy and they are the best of buds!  :)

 And before we knew it, the day was done and they were being brought home. 

 He had a great first day, but he was tired and ready to get that backpack off!  :)

Here he is sitting at his desk.  There's a little boy from preschool in his class and his teacher is really sweet.  We're hoping it's going to be a good year -- so far so good!  :)

Emily's first day of Second Grade

 Emily started Second Grade a few weeks ago.  She has the same teacher again this year (she was in a multi-age split last year 1st/2nd, so now she's one of the older students as a second grader).  She is loving it and has been a great helper with the First Graders, showing them the ropes and making sure they know the rules.  She's such a mother-hen, this will be a great year for her!  :)

Brad & Katie's Wedding / Clouse Family Reunion

We were so blessed to go to DC in August and see Brad & Katie get married.  Emily was a flower girl and she felt so special being a part of the big day!  It was great seeing the extended family and having time to catch up and tour the city some.  These pictures are in no particular order, but you can tell that we had a great time!  :)

 

 These two pictures have to be some of my favorite from the wedding!  :)

 Waiting for the big moment... 

 Mr. and Mrs. Brad Willet.  :)

 This was her approval of the hairdo.  :)

 Aunt Char tickling Alex.  

 Evan sitting on Isaac's lap.  What cute brothers!!  :)

 Katie was a beautiful bride!  Absolutely lovely!  :)

 GiGi made some word-find puzzles for the reception and Adam was trying to quickly finish his before we even noticed the puzzles.  Nice try, cuz!  ;)

 GiGi with Ava and Emily.

 GiGi with her five great-grandkids.

 Emily LOVED the food at the rehearsal dinner.  And after all that practicing at the rehearsal, she had worked up an appetite -- she devoured all three courses and nearly licked her plates clean!!  :)

 Aunt Christie, the Maid of Honor -- she was so pretty!  :) 

 Alex and Isaac being tickled by Papa -- can you tell that Alex likes to be tickled?!  :)

 

 We went downtown for a day while we were there and went to the WWII Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.  It was hot and really sunny, so here's Alex trying to block the sun so that he could see better.  :)

 Alex's first ride on the Metro.  It didn't matter that it was crowded and hot -- he just loved riding a train.  :)

 Aunt Caroline, Emily, and doll Caroline.  :)

 Aunt Judy and Uncle Dave were reading books to the kids.  They were so great with Emily & Alex, and Alex is still talking about getting a "horsey-ride" from Uncle Dave.  It was so wonderful seeing you guys!  :)

 Wedding Reception

 Two wild and crazy guys!!  ;)

 Emily & Ava as the flower girls and Ryan as the horseshoe bearer.  They were so cute!

 This is another one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.  Hannah and Caroline have become two very special people to Emily & Alex and they rarely left their sides.  The kids were asking if we could see them again before Easter, because that's too long to wait!!  Aawww!!  :)

 Strike a pose!

 Alex with Uncle Jared.  :)

 Here are the girls at the rehearsal. 

 Touring DC -- you can see how hot the kids' faces were.  But they were troopers and had a great time despite it all!  :)

 Alex with Uncle Dave (can you tell he likes to ride on shoulders too?).

 Nelson with Ava and Isaac.  It was so nice seeing them again!

 Practicing the role of being a flower girl...

 ...  Apparently we should have given them more instruction on how to drop the bows down the aisle.  On the wedding day, they took big handfuls and dropped them - running out before they were half way down the aisle.  Emily tipped her basket upside down and said "We're out".  It was hilarious!!  :)

 Alex being tickled by Uncle Dave.  Are you catching onto a theme with Alex?  :)

And of course a highlight of Uncle Stephen's and Aunt Ellen's are all the pets.  Emily and Alex just cannot wait to look at all of them and hold them.  The lizard, especially, is a fascinating animal for them!  Emily even held it for a while, but once it start moving around in her hand she didn't want to have it anymore!  :)

Emily and Ava with their American Girl dolls.  Such cuties!!  :)