Our Latest Adventures

Yikes! It's been way too long since I've blogged, so I thought I'd do a little catching up! We've had a full and very fun spring. After our holiday season (which was filled with LOTS of fun visitors and partying), we decided to focus inward and do a little home improvement. We started by painting and decorating the kids' rooms. We moved on to the hallways, and next will come the living room and kitchen. It's been a process. We've taken a section at a time, so we're not quite done, but it looks great! All the wear and tear on the walls is getting repaired (it's amazing how much there is after just a few years!), and the color is warmer...we love it!

'Twas Halloween!

We had a wonderful time on Halloween. It was nonstop fun, with parties and parades at school, a visit to Gram's, Trunk-or-Treat at the church, trick-or-treating at the neighbors' and our friends' homes, visiting our cousins', and chili and a healthy dose of "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (our traditional Halloween movie) at home.

Jessie was a pirate princess:

Jer was a ninja:

Jennifer was a witch:

Jonathan was a "nerdy" mad scientist:

Jeremy finished up the holiday with a final decoration (on my office door):

Well, that's our report. Hope everyone else had a fun day, too!

Notes...

I got home from a cub scout field trip tonight, and I was greeted at the door by a very satisfied Jeremy. He had created this fully-functioning well, and he was glad to demonstrate it (if only a little timid about talking on camera...) Here is his materials list: "4 tape, 2 papr klip, 1 bent papr klip, pensl, 1 cup, 1 box". (Of course, his materials "list" was actually printed in a book he made and illustrated with the various parts!) We love our little engineer!

Jer's at it again...

Celebration!

Today, somehow, I managed to change a flat tire by myself...and I made two loaves of wheat bread from scratch!!

Now, as a disclaimer, I have to say that 1)Mike had to help me get the hubcap off the tire and 2)the wheat bread is only because I'm totally out of groceries and 3)my house is a complete disaster because I haven't taken the time to clean or even straighten it, but hey--why not celebrate this very, very, very, VERY rare event!?!

School has Started!

On Monday, August 18th, we started school. Jonathan is in 5th grade, Jen's in 3rd, and Jer is in 1st. They are all in full-day school now! All three were so excited to start the year. Jonathan has been looking forward to it since the first day of summer. Jeremy even made a "countdown to school" chart to mark off each of the last 7 days... We've been blessed with wonderful teachers...again. We're so lucky!

Here are our "first day" pics. Note Jessie, who also wanted to wear new clothes and go to school. She couldn't understand why she didn't get to stay when we dropped off the kids ("But I am ready to go to school!?!") and she kept her little backpack on the ENTIRE day!

Musical Wonders

Summertime provides opportunities for all sorts of pursuits... This is our local band performing Ernie's "Put Down the Duckie" song (from Sesame Street) for Jessie and I.