Summer....

This weekend brings another summer to an end. This has been a very good summer for our family. I think the person who has enjoyed it the most has been Jaden. She has grown up so much this summer.

I am going to miss seeing this on the weekends. Jaden loves being in the water at the lake!

She has also really learned the great art of the "I am not going to smile while you take my picture...I will just make a silly face" pose!



Jaden could just swim around in the water for hours.

This last picture is my absolute favorite of the whole entire summer! I have been trying to get Jaden to jump off the back layout area on Papa's Boat. Last Sunday afternoon I told her I would give her $5.00 if she would jump with me. Papa told her he would also give her $5.00 if she would jump.

At first she said no, but then out of nowhere she says to me,

"I think I will jump. Will you watch me?"

I said..."Not only will I watch, I will take a picture of you jumping."

This was the first time she jumped. After this she only jumped about 10 more times!

Jaden, I am so proud of you for facing your fear and jumping. You are growing up way too fast for your Aunt Niece.

I love you my kindergarten girl!

First Day of Kindergarten

I am not sure how it is already time for Jaden to go to Kindergarten. It really seems like yesterday that she was just really learning to talk. Now she is almost 6 and is so excited about going to school.

Paula told me that Jaden was up at 5:00...she was too excited to sleep!

Cute Outfit



Brand New Tinkerbell Backpack



A quick pic with Addie. Addie is dealing with Jaden going to school much better this year than on the first day of Pre-K last year. Addie cried all the way home after dropping off Jaden last year. This year she realizes that Jaden will only be gone for a little while, and then they will have the rest of the day to play together!

Paula told Jaden to say Kindergarten Girl when we were taking pictures. We then heard Addie say...

Pre-K Girl..Next Year!

Yes Addie, Next Year!

Addie at the Zoo!

I knew this would be a fun trip for Addie when the first thing she said to me when I picked them up was "This is going to be so much fun!"


Addie looking at the Pigmy Hippo

Riding the carousel...

The girls really enjoy playing on the playground at the zoo. You would think they never get to play on swings. They only have a swingset at home, one at Nanny and Papa's house, and one at the lake house.


This last picture is my new favorite of Addie...

She is smiling and looking at the camera at the same time!

Addie was right...We had so much fun!

Jaden's trip to the OKC Zoo

Jaden has always enjoyed going to the zoo. She tells me that besides being a veterinarian she also wants to be a zookeeper.

By the waterfall in the new Oklahoma Trails Exhibit

My favorite animals at the zoo...gorillas. This gorilla was very interested in Jaden, and Jaden was very interested in the gorilla. I realize this is not the best picture, but I love it.



We were running out of time, so I gave Jaden a choice. She had wanted to see the giraffes, ride the carousel, and go to the butterfly exhibit. I told her we only had enough time left for one of the three. She thought for a minute and decided to ride the carousel.

After the carousel we headed for the front gate. Jaden had really wanted to go see the butterfly exhibit. As we walked past the building it is in she took me by the hand and says...

"Aunt Niece... I really want to see the butterflies. Since it is just right here can we please go see them? Please..."

What kind of aunt would I be if I said no?

As we entered the exhibit they handed Jaden a card with pictures and descriptions of each kind of butterfly. Jaden really studied the card and looked for all of the different butterflies.

I think it was well worth the stop to see the butterflies...

Thanks Jaden for going to the zoo with your Aunt Niece. Next time I promise we will see the giraffes...FIRST!

Tomorrow... Addie's trip to the zoo!

Not a lot going on....just thought I would share two pics from the past few days

I love my girls....especially when they let me take good pictures of them!

More to share later...