Hot Air Balloon, here we come!!!

Every year, the Hot Air Balloon Festival comes to Abilene. When we heard you could go up in one as a family, there was no stopping us! Even though it went up only about 50 feet and you only get to stay up for a minute, we all had a good time! If you look really closely, you might see us in the basket of the red, white, and blue balloon! It is something the kids will remember forever. Poor Jada is so afraid of heights she kept her eyes closed the whole time, but she still had fun! I think Randy might have done the same thing! He's afraid of heights, but he wanted to experience it with the kids, so he toughed it out! There was all kinds of balloons and booths for us to look at. It was a great family night for us all...good food, good company, and good fun! The kids all got a prize from one of the booths, and the girls each got a pair of earrings while Jordan got a blow-up Sponge Bob. Jordan also really enjoyed dancing to the rock band's music!

Homework, homework, homework!

Every day we spend what feels like countless hours on second grade and kindergarten homework! Might I add that both of my girls are as smart as ever! Brother gets jealous sometimes and feels like he's gotta do some too! Jada is reading to me every night, and she is very good at it! Jennika is not that far yet, but she's practicing her writing skills and can recognize A/B patterns like no other! I can just imagine how busy we'll be when Jor is in school!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

RANDY GOT A JOB!!!!! After trying everything we could to beat the hiring freeze in Abilene ISD, Randy applied for a job with McMurry University Admissions. After an interview which took almost the entire day (and included a presentation), they hired him on the spot! His new title is Admission and Recruitment Coordinator, and, so far, he's loving it! His recruiting area is Houston, so he will have to travel there a few times a year. The job is perfect for his personality...he gets to TALK a lot!! He is still going to be able to coach track for McMurry, who won the national championship this past spring. He LOVES coaching there, and he is happy to be on campus full time. We are EXCITED!

Jordan Daniel

Jordan Dan is a big ol' 2 year old! My baby's already 2, and I can't believe it! He's been so much fun! He has a fit every now and then, but for the most part, he's pretty "go with the flow." He is still just as sweet as can be. He LOVES sports and tries to immitate the ball players he sees on t.v. He can shoot a basket with one hand and throw a mean spiral with a football! Jordan is fearless! He loves to run, jump, roll, whatever keeps him going! And when he's going through a growth spurt, watch out, this boy can eat!!! He loves sisters, but he's mean to them when he wants his way...he likes to pinch and hit. He thinks his dad is the coolest, and he still likes to snuggle with mom!

Jennika Ann

Jennika Ann is 5!!! She is learning all she needs to know in Kindergarten, and she's learning how to be independent of her sister. She's finally grown out of the constant fits, but she still likes to give mommy a hard time...just like her daddy! She gets compliments every day from her teacher..."she is a great role model for the others!" When she's sleepy, she still sucks on her fingers and loves to rub her own or someone else's eyebrow. She's as athletic as they come, and everything comes naturally to her. She loves to bug sister until she makes her mad...she does the same to mom. Again, I always say she acts just like daddy!

Jada Elise

My Jada is seven years old and still just as smart as ever! She cried last night because she had an 88 on a paper and is in fear of not getting straight A's...just like her mommy! She LOVES to sing and is into Hannah Montana, Camp Rock, and High School Musical big time! She has a pretty good eye roll going on when she's mad and still throws the occasional fit. However, she is easy to talk to and understands the meaning of consequences. She is sensitive and caring, but she has a mean side that usually comes out on her sister (who she will never admit is her best friend). She has proven herself to be quite a softball player and is looking forward to the upcoming basketball season...this will be her first year in a competitive league. My first baby!