After the Reunion....

The reunion officially ended Sunday after church. We weren't heading home till Tuesday, so we had an extra day or two in the Tri-Cities. We spent Sunday evening visiting at Phil's house and letting the kids ride around on the car hood he hooked up to the four wheeler!

So this is what Alayna really thinks of me!

We spent Monday on the Snake River. Phil and Karl own a yacht-style boat, and Phil took our family and grandma out for a ride and dinner.

We cruised on the boat about 2 hours, and then docked at got out. Aunt Debbie and came with her ski boat and several of the cousins, so we took turns swimming and riding with her.

Grandma tried to instill her love of games in the boys! Their favorite was Skipbo.

When we stopped in Salt Lake to send Bryden home, we got to see Brynlee for a few minutes and Chauntae as well.

8 children, 44 grandchildren, 82 great grands

And most of them were at the reunion! Here is the group that made it to the Tri-Cities for the 2011 Bleazard Reunion!

Since I print this blog each year for our family scrapbook, I wanted to add some pictures of just family...

Lynn and Lloyd, grandma's oldest kids. Lynn on the left (I think!)

My cousin Jill, with her daughter Olivia in the front.

My cousin Melanie, and her husband Ben Winfield. They live in Arizona, so we get to see them once in a blue moon when we visit Nicole.

Grandma and Andrea.

Our wonderful host, Karl and Debbie. Most of the reunion was held at their amazing house. I don't know how Debbie does it all. She is up by 5 and works till who knows when at night. She is one amazing woman! And Karl's not so bad himself! :)

My cousin Ann, and her 3 of her 4 kids. Her son Andrew was baptized on Sunday, the last day of the reunion.

Me and Alayna. One day we're going to live closer to each other, and she's going to teach me how to do a tiny bit of all the amazing things she does.

Kevin - my cousin, Alayna's husband. Kevin and I went to Ricks at the same time. I sure wish I would have known him better sooner than that. I was so glad to have him there, and so glad every time we get to see him and their family!

Me with my Aunt MaryAnn and Uncle John.

Shaye spent a lot of time with Jessica! She had so much fun with her. Jessica did her hair, took her on the horses, and played with Shaye a lot. Shaye loves her!

Our cousins - Scott and Jared, with Nicole and Uncle Phil.

Shaye also had a lot of fun with Melanie's son Devin. She met him a few years ago in Arizona, and went right back to playing. She told me she made a new best friend! I guess we'll have to plan a trip to Arizona soon.

Jared and Mindy Peterson. Mindy is great! Every reunion I enjoy talking and catching up with her. Such a sweet person!

Jaxson with Brooks' son Bryden, and their 2nd cousin Devin.

Nicole with MaryAnn and her daughter Casey.

And there were so many more at the reunion. I am so blessed to have a lot of wonderful relatives on both my mom and dad's sides. I love having a big family!!

Preschool Begins

This week Syd started preschool. She goes twice a week - Wednesdays and Thursdays. She has been so excited to go. Ever since the big kids started school 2 weeks ago, she has been asking every day "is it time to go to my school?" She woke up Wednesday morning and got herself dressed and was anxiously awaiting the time to leave. This is how she felt about having to wait longer to take pictures...

Once we got there, she went right to work and was much happier. She goes to Holy Covenant Child Development Center. We were given so many recommendations for this preschool, and have heard wonderful things! We are looking forward to a great year with Ms. Wanda.

Labor Day 'Bash!'

Every Labor Day a group of friends from our ward here in Katy go tubing on the Comal River in New Braunfels. We missed it last year because we were still getting moved in, and I have been looking forward to it ever since. I love to float the river! Mainly, I love to swim when the water is fresh, cool, and clean. We didn't get that growing up in Lake Jackson, so going to New Braunfels was always a treat. I was able to snap a few pictures of friends getting ready to head down river before I had to stow my camera away and jump in!

The float was great! My cousin, Shannon, who lives in Austin came and I had a lot of fun visiting with her and our other friends. It was a gorgeous day and the kids had a great time, big hit all around. Until.... we got dropped off at the Texas Tubes parking lot when we were done and this is what we saw.

Actually, we were walking in from the left of this picture and we couldn't even see our cars at all. It took us a minute to figure out why the bushes had appeared in the parking lot. Then we realized our cars were UNDER all that mess. Shannon's van, our car, then our friend's van, all under the tree. And the top of the tree scratched and dented another friend's car right next to us, so 4 cars in all.

As you can see, it was a big tree, and there was a lot of damage. But, cars can be fixed, their insurance is covering it, and in the end it'll be fine. We are just grateful that none of us were there, nobody got hurt, and that the tree didn't fall in the river and hurt people floating by. It really was a blessing for everyone around.

I Hope You Dance

Sydnee started dance in August. She has had a couple classes, and loves it! She was very excited to start dance class, and here she is holding her toe out for a pose!

She is taking a ballet/tap class at Becky's Academy of Dance and has Ms. Kathy as her teacher. Ms. Kathy is wonderful. Sydnee listens really well and Paige and I enjoy sneaking peaks at her through the window. It is so cute! These sweet little girls jumping and pointing toes, I just love it! And so does she.

School is in Session...

The first day of school was August 22nd. Both Shaye and Jaxson go to Griffin Elementary. Shaye is in 3rd grade and has Mrs. Lentz. Jaxson is in 1st grade and has Mrs. Heinold. Two weeks in, they both like their teachers and are enjoying their classes.

On the first day, there was excitement for everyone! We had a great summer, but it was time to get back to a normal routine and a little more quiet time around here. :) So after a good breakfast of pancakes and sausage, they got ready, and off we went to the bus stop.

Both kids had a great first day, and we are looking forward to a wonderful year!!