Brayden goes to Kindergarten!!!

Today was a big day at the Gogis'! Brayden got on a school bus and went to his first day of Kindergarten (full day with Miss Lubs). The kids on the street were all so cute this morning waiting for the bus. Afterwards, we went over to the school for a Boo Hoo breakfast and were able to watch the kids go into the school - once again SO CUTE! When Brayden came home he was tired but he said he'd had a good day! I have to say - it hit me harder this afternoon when Brayden was still gone! I'm really gonna miss having him around but I'm excited for who he is going to become!
We also were able to meet Brianna's teacher today - Mrs. Bland. There are several kids who will be in her class that are siblings of the kids that had been in Brayden's classes in the past. Should be a good year for her!
Here is a picture of Evan and you can see Mrs. Seacat in blue (helper) and Mrs. Bland in what looks like a white shirt (although I think it was yellow): Brianna making herself right at home:

After school, Mary Anne stopped by for a nice suprise visit to see how Brayden's first day of school went. (She started babysitting for them probably about a year ago and the kids really like her!)

Sophi, Brayden, Brayden, and Evan: (the pics with Cameron and Sean didn't turn out so well)

Brayden getting off of the bus (I know - these pics are always out of order)!

Brayden going into the school:

Before school:

Do I really have to let my baby go???

After his special doughnut with sprinkles!

Here is a rough video of Brayden getting on the bus. So cute - the 2 Brayden's sitting next to each other in the front row! Brings back tons of wonderful memories (back to baby days):)

Brianna's first gymnastics lesson

Last wednesday we signed Brianna up for a 4 week gymnastics class at The Gymnastics Company. She is in the same class as our neighbor Chloe. Brianna LOVED every minute of it - it was really very cute. Her class was very well thought out - they were constantly moving - balance beam, trampolines, bars, obstacle course... Brianna got 2 stamps afterwards (which means she was good;) and immediately said she wanted to go back again! We had to sit pretty far away from the class - so pictures weren't all that great. Here is their class sitting so nicely (Brianna - 2nd from left, Chloe - 4th from left). Trying out the trampoline:)

Before the class:

Animals and All that Jazz

We went to the zoo a couple weeks ago with the Huitsings - on a special night that they stay open late, have free rides, food, and jazz music. We had a good time! Here are all the kids lined up to see how tall they are: (Andrew, Brianna, Lauren, Brayden) A couple of pics on the Carousel:

Photo shoot;)

We've been trying to take pictures of the kids the last couple of days so we can avoid having to go somewhere and get them done professionally... Let's just say - we know why we pay professionals... Anyway, here are a few that we actually liked:)
Brayden actually smiling (not being overall goofy): Brianna is actually very smily all the time - just need her with her legs down;)

Fun trip to the Children's Museum today - here is the Egypt exhibit - very cool!

Riding a donkey:)

Now - we just need to work on the background of this picture - good thing Gary is a graphic designer!

So silly!

I love these kids!

More pics from July

Last week we had an awesome time at Lake George with my family! We got to see both my brothers, sister, grandmas, aunt and uncle, etc. The kids were great!
Here's a picture of me skiing! I was able to get up on 1 ski - but I just couldn't stay up and get my foot in the back part of the ski. So fun - but so sore afterwards! Even Gary tried to ski - he was so close every time - I was so proud of him;) Here's the boat driver - my dad! This picture says it all! (Somehow we didn't get any good pics of my mom - geesh!)

Uncle D and Aunt Kim came in from Cali! Daniel decided that Brayden needed a new name - O'brien! Of course it drove Brayden crazy - but I think he's starting to like the name! (O'brien was the brand of the life jacket that Brayden had been wearing!)

Brayden and Brianna had a great time with Uncle Matt and Bona (so did we)! Brianna LOVES Bona!

Brianna liked to sit on the edge and practice her rowing! It was so cute! However, she really didn't want to be in the lake (I guess she's like her momma - and prefers the warm/clean pool).

Putting her practice into good use!

Here's a pic of Brianna kissing the only fish we caught the whole week (and if you look in the background - you can see my mom)!

A little trip to the IMA (inside the actually art museum Brayden got giggling so much at all the nude sculptures/paintings that he ended up with the hiccups!)

Gary and Brayden trying to fix the air conditioning in the Grand Am - so cute;)

Grandma and Grandpa Camp 2009

While Gary and I had a blast in Vegas the kids were having a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Camp! They probably did enough activities to last the entire year! They went to the zoo, Science Central, The Old Fort/Three Rivers Festival, Aunt Alli's lake, swimming, watched a movie in pj's... (to name a few!) Today we met them at the place where Gary and I had our first date and got engaged - Taylor Lake! It always brings back wonderful memories! Here's a pic of Gary showing Brianna the special lake;) (By the way, I jumped in this lake in the middle of January - snow on the ground... BRRRR!!!! I could barely breathe!) Who loves Grandma and Grandpa camp???

Feeling the sacred sand;)

Totem pole at the prayer deck!

The kids eating their dice suckers from Vegas - fun little souvenir (kept them busy for the entire ride home!) Two exhausted kids!

Vegas Baby!

Gary and I went to Vegas this last week for our 9th Anniversary! (Last time we went to Vegas was our 1st Anniversary). The first day we went to the pool and went out for sushi at a place called Japonais - we discovered the spicy tuna roll - LOVE THEM (ordered more)! The second day we hung out at the pool again spent way to much on a greek salad with chicken... I was so mad it cost $17 for a tiny little bowl - the chicken was equivalent to a quarter size of a breast - BOOOO!!! That night we ate at Joel Robechan's restaurant in MGM - we had no idea what to order so we got everything off of the express menu - it was amazing! I can't even tell you what it was that we ate! Afterwards we saw the Cirque du Solei show - KA - AWESOME! Our favorite part was when they did a fighting seen hanging from the ceiling and sideways on a stage (which was also turned sideways) - it was crazy! The 3rd day - we went back to the pool then ate at Kokomos - got the biggest crab legs I've ever seen! Here's a pic! The conservatory at the Bellagio where we stayed in a suite that overlooked the fountain show! I loved this place - always smelled like fresh flowers - the hydrangeas were awesome (reminded me of our wedding!)

Outside Caesar's Palace! (We checked out all the hotels - and I can't believe it - but we didn't gamble even once! I really wanted to play some video poker but we were just too busy!)

Panoramic view of the Bellagio pool:

Panoramic view from the moving sidewalk toward the strip from the Bellagio: