Faith had the cutest "Dora" birthday ever!

The girls discovering their backpacks.

The party was an adventure, just like the t.v. show.  First the kids colored Dora coloring sheets, then they followed the map to their backpacks and colored them, then they went to the tree and got Dora tattoos, then they found the slide and played a little grab bag game, and lastly they followed the map to the cake.

Noelle LOVES Dora and had her back pack on the entire time.  At one point, she said "Vamanos" because that’s what Dora always says when she’s ready to go to the next place on the map. 

Faith is such a sweet little girl, and we had so much fun sharing in her birthday!

Anna Kate and Noelle are really starting to play with each other.  It’s so cute!  Anna Kate is still a bit reserved, but Noelle seriously makes her chuckle every day!

This is a sneak peak of Mike’s home office.  Considering Mike works around the clock, we are SO excited for him to have a special place in our house to have some peace and quiet to get some focused work done (as opposed to the kitchen table).  He even has french doors for more privacy.  There are some serious wires in this room for some serious programming. 

Just wanted to give you all an update on Anna Kate.  She had her eye procedure this afternoon, and it went really well.  Of course, as a Mom, it was so hard to watch my baby go through that, but her eye is already looking better and clearing up.  She is resting and comfortable as I type this.  We are so relieved to have this behind us.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  They mean so much!
Love,
The Pond Family

Anna Kate is going to the ophthalmologist tomorrow at 1:15 to have a tear duct unblocked in her right eye.  The procedure can be done as an out-patient surgery between 6-9 months of age.  She was allergic to the medication that was supposed to help it, and her little eye is always red, watering, and full of sleepy.  I know she will feel better, and we’ll feel better getting this behind us.  Thank you for your prayers!

Here’s more high school reunion pictures from 9/26.

Tonight brought back so many memories of junior high dances, choir class, FCA hayrides, Charmers, all of it!  I wouldn’t trade growing up in Jacksonville for anything in the world!

Happy 29th birthday, Mikey!  Noelle really wanted Mike to have a Spiderman birthday this year.  She doesn’t yet understand that adults don’t have "themed" birthdays,  so… we decided to take some Spiderman birthday supplies up to Texas Power on Friday to celebrate with Daddy.

Our apple cutie pies!

Noelle colored Mike a really great birthday card.

Our family!

Sweet Debbie with the Pond gals!

Noelle said, "Now it’s time to sing Happy Birthday to Daddy!"  I said, "Okay Noelle, you get us started, and we’ll jump in…" before I could finish, she busted out singing, "Happy Birthday to you…" when it came to Mike’s name Noelle sang, "Happy Birthday dear Daddy" so we all said "Daddy."  It was pretty funny.

When Mike got home from work, Noelle said, "I had fun at your Spiderman birthday Daddy.  That was a great Spiderman birthday!"  And she meant it!

LOVE YOU, MIKEY!!!  You are the most loving, kind, patient, gentle, humble, and strong husband and Daddy in the whole wide world.  Words can never express my love and respect for you.  

Last week we headed back to Jacksonville (for the 3rd weekend in September!) for Mo’s high school reunion – it was amazing!

It’s surreal to see our kids playing together!  Noelle had a blast at the park!

Courtney, Melissa, Stacy, Lindsay, and Miranda with our kiddos.

Breckin Westbrook ready to play football and Noelle with the mushrooms she finds absolutely fascinating!

Tiffany, Jennifer, and myself – these two girls were literally my very first friends.  We reminisced about my 3rd birthday party where Jennifer’s uncle made a surprise appearance as Santa.  She recognized him, so he bribed her with a whole box of candy canes not to give the secret away.  Needless to say, we go WAY back.

Anna Kate is doing all kinds of cool things these days.  She’s saying "Da-da" and "Ma-ma" and sitting almost by herself, seal crawling, rocking on all fours and taking 2-3 crawls at a time, eating like a champ (with those fingers in her mouth between every bite), and always smiling and keeping us happy!  Noelle gave her the nickname "Ja-ja," and it totally fits her bubbly personality.  We also call her "Smiley!" 

We love you sweet Anna Kate!  You’re the best little baby in the whole wide world, and we are so happy God gave you to us!

Picture 1: Noelle, Picture 2: Anna Kate, Picture 3: Noelle, Picture 4: Anna Kate

Crazy, huh?