Miss Emily June

Wyatt is diagonal from EJ, he is really excited to get to "walk her in to class" He is a sweet big brother, despite the bite mark and bruise on his arm from his sweet sister!
Don't worry she pulled her headband off as soon as I left school. I tought it was cute, yes it might be a little much!
Meema stopped by to wish EJ good luck!

My sweet family
Daddy's girl...

Well today is the day our little princess started school. I was not the least bit worried about her going, but did not expect it to be quite so easy! There was no looking back. I did ask Mrs. Hullender when I picked her up how did did and she said, " She has a lot of confidence!" Which in turn means she probably did want she wanted and did not listen!
I have to say she does test the boundaries a little bit.. the week she ate a marble. It scared me to death.. She started choking, I could hear from the kitchen ran in and "gulp" she swallowed it. I called our nurse to see what to do.. she said just "sift threw her poop" otherwise you might have to get an xray if it does not come out. No one tells you all the exciting things you get to do as a mother... like wear gloves, squeeze poop for a week and still we have no marble. So the story continues.... I guess we will end up with an xray. The point is she is always entertaining!

Emotional week.

CAn you tell he was real upset when I left?!
Star Wars lunch box, camo pants, and a mohawk.. all boy!
Daddy and Wyatt
My babies...

Last week of summer hit me hard. Despite the fact we are in a drought, it is hotter than heck outside and the kids are fighting nonstop.. I was not ready to realize they are about to start school. It means they are growing up and my babies are not babies. I will never get this time back, or the innocence of them being under my wing. I know there are great things to come, but as a Mom I am feeling like my days are flying by and wondering what I am going to do with they are both in school full time!
Zach and I also had a sad morning Saturday. WE attended a funeral of a great man... Jimmy Hicks. I dated his grandson (Jeramy) all thru high school and college and just fell in love with is family. His granddad was the biggest person in his life and we spent most of our time at their house. Countless days and summers in their pool, on trips, soccer games, dinners.. and I look back and realize we did that because it was a house that you just felt so loved in. Jimmy and Ann are those people who truly lived life to the fullest. I often find myself in my little bubble, very comfortable and I realize how much I miss out on in life and how much more there is outside of Midland county! I know when Jimmy passed he had lived his life doing what he wanted and was filled with so much love. Jeramy's mom, Vickie, said something that really stuck out in my mind.. she said, "I am so thankful my dad did not buy me everything I wanted, but gave me everything I needed." I am not an emotional person at all.. in fact Zach looked me before and said, "Do you need a Kleenex?" and I said, " No, I have had time to prepare for this.. I am fine!" Not only did I need a box of Kleenexes, it was an ugly cry.. one of those where you cannot stop. It just reminded me of what a little love and tenderness can do to people. It is so touching how one person could make you feel so special, yet he made everyone feel that way. I hope I can show that to my kids. Every night we pray and I always say, "Help us love like Jesus..." and one day I hope they know exactly what means and feels like.

Today we started School.. well Wyatt started. EJ starts tomorrow. We did hold him back so he is going to do 5 day Preschool this year.. We just felt he was not old enough to go on to Kinder and I am so thankful. I am not ready for real school and already miss the thought of not having him to myself!

Happy Birthday Nonno 88!

Cake time. Pink cake, pink punch...
Skeet and Nini
Happy Birthday Nonno
Aunt Polli

Happy Birthday Nonno.. nothing like a little bath powder.
Skeet and the kids

Four generations for Dosses Mommy and Daddy...mommy looking a little rough!
Zach and Papa
Once EJ figured out Cousin knew who Justin Beiber was.. she was all over her. Randi did her JB hair impression and have to say looks a little like him whens she did it! She is always so sweet and so gifted with kids.

Thank goodness for party horns to bring a little excitement to any party! At least it was an older Some lady that seems to think she knows Nini, She loves all over her. Nini just smiles.

The Doss family inside with Nonno.
Polli and Wyatt, he is far from the action... distracted by a new phone game! He is really nervous around the older people, and I was too as a child so I do not force it. I remember as a kid going to see my aunt and having to hug everyone, it terrified me!
Girls.. Nonno, Randi, Polli and EJ
Frame it!
Showing Nonno the picture book we made her
All smiles

We celebrated Nonno's 88th birthday yesterday. She did not really know what was going on, but seemed to enjoy herself! She really enjoys watching the kids and cake! Who does not love Nini's cakes?! Randy, Brett and Polli came in to celebrate, always good to see them. Wyatt gets very nervous around the older people, and the house freaks him out.. but EJ makes up for it. She loves all the attention and never meets a stranger. Happy Birthday Nonno! I asked her how old she was and she said "175 dollars"... I said you are worth way more than that!

If you ask EJ where she got her Mexican party dress... she will tell you " A Mexican in San Antonio!" (we actually got it from a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio" ) she loves her Mexican dress!

Baby Crossfitters.. starts with gymnastics

cheering section
Wyatt getting his award
HArd to see, but a flip from the tumble track
Parallel Bars


Wyatt's class
I love gymnastics!!
High V

Papa and Nini watching EJ
Taa-Daa
Hi Mom! She was very vocal and excited everyone was there to watch her, not too focused!
Running on tumble track
Knees on bar

Giggles the entire time.. flipping around on the bars
Walking in.. all smiles
Roll over to a back flip


We had our first gymnastics "show" this past Friday, it was pretty cute. Wyatt absolutely loves gymnastics and EJ goes along with it. Her attention span is so short that the coaches really have their work cut out for them! Yet, she giggles and smiles the entire time! I give her the personality award, not the listening, disciplined award! Wyatt is a little more serious, he gets the listening award.. but a little nervous in front of people so more timid. Both did great, I can tell it has really helped Wyatt's confidence and coordination.. so we will continue this as long as we can.

Summer Days

My little make up artist! Thank you to Pam who bought her barbie makeup... thanks Pimpsy!



After seeing this lovely picture of me, I am thinking I need more than a make up artist to grow old gracefully!
Evening baseball... Wyatt is determined to be the next Benny from sandlot

handsome boys

Figuring out how to finally ride her bike! Notice the new haircut?! I love it, it has been SO much easier! Here is a feather we found on a walk.. Papa makes everything more interesting. A rubber band and you have one little Indian Girl.
Papa Chief

We have had a quick July.. I looked up and it is almost over! The kids have been at First Pres this summer every Tu/Thurs and I am really sad that after Thursday we will be done with their program. The best program in town... I remember waiting in line at 5 am to get Wyatt in almost 5 years ago thinking, " Will they really love my baby?" I had no idea what blessings were in store for us... and the lessons I learned there. Sweet Mrs. Goldie took a crazy, new mom and made me feel like the best mom ever. I think everyone needs a Goldie in their life. Next month we open a new chapter with both kids at Hillander... I know they will do well bc of what they have learned at FP. I just feel like they are growing up way to quick.

We have enjoyed the "Cooler" evenings at a mere 100 or 98 if we are lucky. It seems like the only time we have as family time and not die of a heat stroke. Papa usually comes down and visit us once a day, he bought Wyatt a baseball tee.. and surprising Wyatt loves it. (To my surprise he can hit the ball!) Zach has been working with him and doing pretty well. I honestly think gymnastics has helped his coordination more than anything. Well that and Wyatt watching the Sandlot movie and wanting to be like Benny. Emily June finally figured out her Dora bike was there to ride, so she started figuring out how to keep up with her brother. She has a mind of her own, and when she is ready she will do it.. otherwise forget it!

Speaking of my sweet little precious girl.. we have been going through a "phase" this summer. Forget the 2's it is 3's you need to prepare yourself for!!! She might be the most hard headed, stubborn child I know. ( I say that will lots of love!) I am sure one day this energy and determination will be focused towards something positive.. but now it seems we go though drama everyday over something. Usually over getting dressed or something as simple as mommy saying "No" to something. I am amazed at how quickly she can melt down and the crocodile tears, folding of the arms and just exactly how far her little lip can stick out. I am sure she will be an academy award winning singer or actress with her lungs and flare for drama! Until then, I am getting gray hair... and drinking skinny girls. :) I do have to say she can also be the sweetest, most loving and charming child you have met...almost split personalities. Everyday is a new adventure.. that is why I love them so much!

On a sad note... We had to put our beloved tinker down last night. It was rough. I never knew it would be so hard for a dog that drove us crazy for 7 years! I have to say she was a good dog. Zach and I were laughing last night as we thought about when the kids were learning how to walk and Tinker would run over and stand there so they could pull up on her ears. Zach was strong, he took care of it.. knowing I could never do it. It was time, she was in so much pain. After Zach got home he went and talked to the kids about Tinker and how she has gone to see Jesus.. EJ was sweet.. she said" I am glad she is not hurting anymore." and that was it. Wyatt had a few more questions for Zach and said, " How do you know she is with Jesus and will I be with Jesus if I die?" Zach said, " Yes, we will all be with Jesus bc we believe he died on the cross for us and is our Savior..." Then asked Wyatt.." Do you believe in Jesus and that he died for us?" Wyatt said, "Yes! I love Jesus! He is awesome!" So after an awful night, my heart smiled and was filled with Joy.