First Day of Schools

Today was the first day of school for Ben at St. Thomas Episcopal School, where Mommy now teaches. Ben is so excited to be at the same school as Mommy where she is right upstairs! We decided to hold Ben back since he is a summer baby, so he began Jr. Pre-K today. I was clearly more concerned than he was, as we left the room he had his head down coloring and didn't even notice we had left! The teacher stopped me in the hallway and told me she "LOVED Ben!" That he was very attentive and followed directions very well. We are so proud of our big boy! Attending St. Thomas means he wears a uniform and will go to chapel twice a week! YEAH! Praise God for such an awesome opportunity He has given our family!

How cute is he in the uniform?!

We were all eager for the doors to open!

His lead teacher Mrs. Sturtzer, she's awesome!

See?! Already hard at work and not a care in the world! Go Big Ben!

Sam started his first day of school today too, at Ben's old school. I unfortunately could not make it there, but according to Daddy and Gammy he wouldn't have noticed even if I was there. We already knew several people in the class, and Sam was ready to play. I am so excited for my sweet baby to start school. He will be going to school 3 days a week from 9-1pm.

Walking up to school with Gammy.

He loves to wear his Thomas backpack!

Playing with our friend Charlie!

Playing with his teacher Ms. Ingrid.

Austin Visit

When we left Oklahoma we headed straight for Austin, Texas to visit our friends the Trimbles. Our kids are 4, 3, 2, and 1. It was a house full, but it was WONDERFUL. Our trip was cut short due to Amanda's daughter got sick. Even though our time was limited we made some great memories!

Peyton had a crush on Ben!

I can't believe they all sat down long enough for me to take a picture!

We went to play at a bounce house and they had a BLAST!

At first they were scared, but they LOVED the slide!

What is a trip to Texas without going to Dickie's?

Ben's REAL Birthday

I know I have already written a post about Ben's party, but his real birthday, July 4th, we celebrated in Stillwater, OK. Ben woke up and Mommy and Mimi had decorated Mimi's kitchen and had star shaped donuts! Ben was disappointed the night before when we went to see fireworks and he could not get his face painted. (Mimi told me it was free, but it wasn't.) BUT the awesome Mimi that she is went out and bought face-paint for her grandson and painted his face! AFTER staying awake until 12:30am to make his cake. Then after face painting we went outside to write birthday greetings in chalk on the driveway. Once it finally cooled off we went to some friends' house and celebrated the 4th and Ben's birthday with hot dogs and cake! All and all it was a wonderful day! Happy Birthday to the most amazing 4 year old, Benjamin Gage! Seriously, where has the time gone??!!!

Mommy gets the first kiss!

Donut face!

Mimi at work!

He was so happy!

Even though it was 100 degrees outside, we still weathered the heat!

Mimi was also out there writing Happy Birthday to Ben!

Happy Birthday Ben!

May all his wishes come true!

Vacation 2011

I have to be honest, I don't really know where to begin with this blog, but I will start from the beginning. June 21st Andy, Ben, Sam and I drove to Orlando, to meet our Forbes family for a week in a condo. We had the BEST time! We had breakfast with the characters, the boys played golf, took family pictures, went swimming, and the BEST part of it all was just being together in the condo. My boys LOVE their cousins, and really it was time to be with each other. We look forward to this time every year.

This is the whole Forbes clan! (Minus Mimi & Pops)

This is what our nights were like at our condo in Orlando!

Mimi cooked nearly every night, and always had helpers:)

Our breakfast with the characters!


BUT, the real adventure began when on June 28th Mimi, Ben, Sam & I hopped in my mini-van and set out for Stillwater, OK, a 24 hour drive!



On our way we stopped in Muskogee, OK, to spend some time with our extended family, 4 of the 11 boys in the Calavan family! Surprising to many of you, if not all of you, the drive was not bad at all!



Riding the tractor with Mimi in the 100 degree heat, was their FAVORITE thing to do in Oklahoma!


At work with Mimi.


Lunch break at Chic Fil-A!

Sharing like "good" brothers!

In the heat Mimi still pulls them around!

After church in our Sunday best.

Helping Mimi make his birthday cake.

At 12:30am she is still working on Ben's cake!

But it was worth it! Better than any cake I have EVER paid for! Thanks Mimi!