First day of school

I sent TWO girls off to school this week. Cue the waterworks.

Just kidding. No one cried.

We dropped Charlotte off at her kindergarten classroom and she skipped to her desk.

Evie gave me a quick hug at her second grade classroom door and then walked confidently to her desk.

I sure love these girls and can't wait to watch them grow this school year!

Moving on

While the kids and I were in Alaska, Josh was busy working and closing on our new house! In May Josh found out from his work that they budgeted for him to stay at their hospital for a few more years, so we went house hunting the very next day and found a house three minutes away from where we were currently living. We moved in the week we got back into town.

Before moving out completely, I snapped a few last shots in the mostly empty space. We were sure happy in our lovely apartment the last two years. Can't wait to make more memories in our new home!

Alaskan visitors

Three hours after we returned home from Florida, my baby brother arrived from Alaska. He stayed with us two weeks and it was an amazing time of lounging, eating, snuggling with the kids, eating, watching netflix, and eating some more.

Toward the end of Noah's visit Mom and Scott arrived fresh from their Hawaiian cruise. We had a few fun days together, touring the somewhat empty city thanks to the temperature dropping into the 30s (not anything drastic enough to scare off tough Alaskans!).

It was really fun to have Uncle Noah, Grandma, and Grandpa spend time with us! How we wish we weren't separated by 4,000 miles!

Halloween

Josh had class during the Trunk or Treat, but on Halloween he joined us for trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Of course, he dressed up as well.

He did his own makeup and I think it turned out pretty amazing. It took Trent a full hour before he wasn't afraid.

Evie went as a Mad Hatter again. I must say, this costume really brings out her funky side.

Lottie chose to be a witch for this bout of treating. I think this is year three or four of the witch costume being used, making it totally worth the effort to sew.

The weather cooled off and we had a lovely time treating in a nearby neighborhood. (It sure is nice to trick or treat without a snowsuit. Don't miss that part of Alaska!)

Trunk or Treat

On Wednesday we went to our church's Halloween party, the Trunk or Treat. The teenagers were in charge and it was tons of fun, complete with games like "Cake Walk" and "Whack-a-Deacon" as well as a candy rocket launcher. 

Before the party, I took the kids outside for a little costume photoshoot. 

Lottie was a peach fairy, whose duties (if you don't already know) are to eat peaches, make peach fruits, and battle strawberry fairies.

Evie was a funky Mad Hatter. She didn't wear the hat because she thought it looked weird.

Trent went as Yoda. All night he kept pointing to his head and saying, "I Yoda. Tick o treat. Tank you!"

Trunk or Treat!

First day of 1st Grade

She is pretty serious about her love of school.

Every time we drove by her school this summer (and it is right across the street, so a lot), she lamented how she missed school and when would summer be over and why couldn't she be a first grader yet.

The big day finally arrived and she could not have been more ready.

She had a new backpack, complete with mustached, bespectacled cats.

And a snazzy, pencil-clad outfit.

She also decided to skip the new school-year haircut, so no A-line this year. Just sweet pigtails (to help her mama remember that there are still a few more years until adulthood).

Hello, First Grade!

Evelyn is crazy excited to meet you.

Residency

Josh didn't come to Alaska with us because he was in the middle of residency interviews. His classes finish in December and then he will start a year-long residency at a hospital. Most students end up working for their residency company so it is a big decision and, for us, the interview process took several weeks (and a lot of patience!).

We recently accepted an offer with Iasis Healthcare! Josh will be working at their hospital in the city. It is a really great opportunity and we are glad to have a few more years in San Antonio.

Spring Break

A few weeks ago Josh's parents came to visit for spring break. Evie and Josh were lucky enough to have break at the same time, meaning we wouldn't have to leave anyone out of the festivities. Unfortunately, Trent got croup and for the rest of us a nasty head cold was passed from family member to family member. Every day we would assess the situation and leave the sickies at home.

Lottie was well enough to join Debbie and me for our local theatre's production of Llama Llama and a tour of the San Antonio Missions.

We visited all our favorite spots, mostly food related. I only have one picture from our trip to the Riverwalk-- Lottie dressed herself and only after we parked the car did we notice her choice of footwear.

We drove 2.5 hours to tour the Bluebell Factory. Texans are mighty proud of their Bluebell ice cream and with good reason. It is amazing. The tour was interesting, the weather was lovely, and the free scoop of ice cream alone was worth the long drive.

Evie, Lottie, Debbie, and I went to another play, this time Jack and the Beanstalk. 

We spent Saturday at Brackenridge Park, walking around the zoo and riding the train.

Lottie's dreamy expression in this picture kills me. When it comes to Evie and Charlotte, I sometimes feel like I am raising a Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood, although Lottie is dramatic enough to be a Lavender Brown (Harry Potter nerd alert). We've been reading The Wheel on the School and Lottie is constantly coming to tell me what she has been "wondering" and how she knows "things will happen" when she wonders.

 You may notice Evie's mouth is a bit of a hot mess. Last weekend she lost two teeth in one day, bringing the total loss to seven. I feel especially bad when I see her try to eat an apple.

 It sure was nice to have Pop Pop and Tu Tu visit! Can't wait to see them again in Charleston this summer.