New Beginnings

We attended Meet the Teacher on the 16th, and it went really well.  We really like both Julia and Aiden's teachers, and we're all excited about a new school year.

But before the school year began, first we celebrated this guy's 36th birthday!! Note the gold beads he's sporting...a gift from Lexie... in addition to his party hat horns! What a good sport :)  We love you so much, honey!!



The next morning, we walked to school for the first time.  Julia was talking to him about what to expect in class and how things go.  She's so sweet and loving with her brother and sister.


Julia's first locker! I can't believe how fast our baby is growing up!! :/






Here's my crew after 4th grade orientation on the 25th :)


We've spent this first month really exploring our new surroundings! Downtown Leavenworth has a nice little shopping area, but it is very small town and quaint.  Not a big city.  There are a few antique shops and thrift stores, so I love that of course :)  There's a Super Walmart like 5 minutes from our house in Lansing, so that is amazing compared to living out in the country in Grafenwoehr, with only the PX that closes by 8pm.
We've been to Overland Park a few times.  It kind of reminds me of a bigger Floridian city like Orlando.   I like going there to hit Whole Foods, Oak Park Mall, and Once Upon a Child.  It's about 40 minutes away.
And of course, we've been to Kansas City, in both Missouri and Kansas.  We have enjoyed these new places and experiences.
Today Wally is taking Julia and Aiden to a Kansas City Chiefs football game.  Lexie and I are going for pedicures :)  Everyone's happy :)
Here's Lexie and Daddy yesterday as we waited for the bell to ring in the school parking lot.  Love these two.  With Wally's school schedule, some days he's able to be there with me to pick up the kids.  It's pretty incredible after spending the last year without him.