Picture Perfect~ Then and Now

Family Pictures

We have not had family pictures done since 2007 by Jerry Grizzle.  In 2007,  Graham was 3 and the girls just 1.  So this summer I made a point to try and get some pictures made of the family. I was so happy to find out that one of my childhood friends, Jerriann, was going to be in Katy the same weekend as us to photograph the family. It took me 7 years to get these pictures.  Graham is now 10 and Bryce and Layne are 8.  Just like then and now in 2014 my three little people, who are not so little anymore, are Picture Perfect to this mommy.

 

All 3 Together Again

August 2, 2014

The Doffings went from summer to winter in one plane ride.  We landed back in Peru just in time for the girls to attend the new student orientation at Roosevelt.  I finally have all 3 kids on the same school schedule.  I am hoping this makes for an easier life to just juggle schedules between one school instead of juggling 3 kids between 2 schools.  The girls will be in different classes but they do go to Spanish together so they still get to see each other there plus recess and lunch.

New student orientation

First day of school as 3rd graders and a 5th grader! (August 4, 2014)

Headed to the bus.

Just one more picture!

First stop on the morning ride to school...This is the last picture :).

Texas Sized Summer

In between all the swimming and time at the ranch, we managed to cram in as much fun as possible with our family and friends.  One month in Texas seems like a long time but in reality there is never enough time to see everyone and do everything we wish we could accomplish.

Bryce's big accomplishment this summer was FINALLY losing one of her top front teeth.  At 8 years old she lost her 3rd tooth.  The first 2 teeth she lost were pulled by the dentist, this one was pulled by her cousin, Jordyn.  It was wiggly and definitely was ready to come out.

I was also lucky to be able to take a couple days and head to Austin to see 2 of my best friends from high school, Eryn and Aimee.  Seeing these 2 ladies every summer is good for the soul and keeps me feeling young!

I got to see Lionel Ritchie while in Austin.  He gave a great show.

Another great addition to our summers in Texas is our 2 best family friends that we made in Singapore returned to Houston to live.  This made everyone so happy.  These kids could net be any happier to be together again...the mommies as well.

Bryce, Maddie and Layne

The whole gang together!  Austin, Graham, Layne, Katie, Bryce and Maddie

Jen, Ivy and Theresa

We also spent one day at NASA with the Doffing cousins.  The best part of the day was riding in the simulators.  The kids said is was very much worth the LONG wait.

Hunter and Graham

Layne and Haley

Bryce and Abby

Graham, Hunter, Layne, Abby, and Bryce

We also spent one afternoon at my brother's house.  Roger and Kelly bought their first house together and the kids had a great time breaking it in!

Kelly and Roger

Uncle Roger and Layne

The girls with Uncle Roger.

Nona and the girls

Bryce and Uncle Roger

The Graham siblings~Aimee, Ivy and Roger

Graham and Jacob

An evening spent swimming and hanging out with our Singapore friends.

The newest adventure that the kids could not get enough of was climbing the magnolia tree in the front of Grandma's house.  They all spent hours in that tree this summer.  They loved all the stories that their dad and uncles would tell about their days of climbing that tree in the "old" days.

Hunter and Graham

Graham and Jacob

The Graham cousins~ Layne, Graham, Bryce, Jacob and Jordyn

Celebrating Uncle Matt's birthday

Last weekend in Houston~Jen, Theresa, Salli and Ivy

4 families 9 kids~ Layne, Katie, Maddie, Bryce, Camryn, Carson, Austin, Graham and Cassidy

Jump!

The adults~ David, Zach, Brian, Lee, Ivy, Jen, Theresa, and Salli

Nona and Grandad with the grandchildren.

After one month in Texas, my little travelers headed back to Lima.  School starts in  5 days!