Joe Brockman, The Marine ~ Boot Camp Graduation ~ August 26

My nephew, Joe, graduated from Marine Corps boot camp the end of August.  Since Steve is a former Marine, he really wanted to go and we made it happen!  He was so glad that he was able to see a fellow Marine survive boot camp.

Joe and his little brother, Jack.

Joe and his family.

Steve and Joe.

Joe with his dad (and my brother), Greg, Diane and Jack.

The next Marine in the family?

The outer bands of Hurricane Irene...the graduation ceremony was cut a little short due to the weather. 

Greg, Joe and Jack.

Joe and Steve.

Joe and Greg.

Joe and Jack.

Diane, Joe, Greg and Jack.

First Day of School~ August 22

Ryan started Kindergarten this year.  It was a little tough on both of us.  He started crying while he was getting ready for school.  Luckily, I held it together until I got back in the car after taking them to their classroom...then I cried like a baby!!

Brock started 2nd grade.  I just can't believe that he's already in 2nd grade.  Time really does go too fast.

Heading off to school.

It is now almost a month later and both boys are really enjoying school.  Ryan has a great teacher, Mrs. Hart, who is sweet and fun.  He's learned so much already!  He can read pretty darn good and says his favorite subject is math!

Brock likes school, too.  He was nervous before it started and kept telling me that he hated math.  When I asked him why, he said because he didn't like doing math worksheets.  I told him that I bet they did a lot more than worksheets in 2nd grade and that it was probably a lot more fun.  Amazingly, I was right!!  :-)  He really likes math now and even asked to bring home flash cards!

Although they both say they miss spending time with me during the day, they both also say that they like school and have fun!  It's going to be a great year!!

San Marcos ~ Aug. 13 - 14, 2011

We were invited to a friend's river house in San Marcos one weekend and we all had a blast...the kids with their friends and the adults with ours!

Brock, Reagan and Ryan

Ryan and Travis

Brock

Brock and Catherine

Catherine

Duncan

Reagan

Back to Front:  Brock, Ryan, Meredith, Travis, Duncan

Tyler, Catherine, Duncan, Travis

Some of the kids had to share beds one night.  Ryan and Catherine konked out with arms and legs all over each other.

Steve, Brock and Chad

Ryan on the Slip -n- Slide, which was a huge hit!  We lined up three of them end-to-end on a hill so they had one, long slide.  They loved it!!!

Boys and their bugs.

Brock hittin' the Slip -n- Slide.

Tyler after a few rounds on the Slip -n- Slide.

Brock snorkeling.

My sweet big guy, Brock.

My sweet little man, Ryan.

Meredith

Steve and Ryan fishing.

July 2011

Our July was much more laid back than our June!  We still had a lot of fun, though.  We ended June and started July with swimming lessons.

Brock

Ryan

Brock has been asking for a while to go to the George Bush Library.  It has free admission on July 4th, so we took advantage and took them to see it.

 

Brock with the bronze George Bush.

Ryan with him.

President Ryan O'Neal in the Oval Office.

President Brock O'Neal in the Oval Office.  He looks so serious because that's the way the President is supposed to look!

We accidently "borrowed" my neice's Just Dance 2 Wii game and the kids love it!  Ryan's favorite song to dance to is "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis.

Brock likes a song by Ke$ha. 

There is only one pool in town with a diving board and it is now my kid's favorite pool.  They have no fear whatsoever.

Brock's cannonball of the diving board.

Ryan doing a front flip off the diving board.

One afternoon we were playing on our bed and I decided to give the boys some tattoos.  Ryan wanted the Superman symbol on his chest and then I added the heart with "Mom" inside.  Brock wanted the Ironman triangle and I added the heart with "Dad" inside.  They were amazed that I'd write all over them with a pen, but they seemed to enjoy it!

Brock also wanted the light pulse that Ironman has on his hands.

We have had a very intense, hot, dry summer.  We are in an exeptional drought and haven't hardly had any rain at all in about a year.  So, when the heavens opened up, all 3 boys went out to play in the rain!!!