Don't hate me because my tree swing is beautiful.
Here are the kids on the first morning back at school! They were both thrilled with their new backpacks (thank you Old Navy outlet). Can you tell who likes camo print? I bet you can't even see him.
And Eliza started preschool about a week after the big kids. A little back pack shot for her too.
I am really proud of Andrew and Abby braving yet another new school. They have consistently come home with smiles on their faces. They seem to have good teachers and nice classmates. As far as routine goes, I drive them to school and they bus home. The morning bus comes at 7:51--we're not ready that early and they'd be on the bus waaaay too long! So far it's working out great. I have to drop Eliza off at preschool MWF anyway, so it works out.
What a surprise I had when I looked out the window and had one of these beauties smiling at me! These flowers are gorgeous! And so large.
The bush really filled with blooms, here are a few.
A couple weekends ago we took a day trip out to Kohler-Andrae State Park with our friends, the Taylors! I must admit...it was cold to start! We started off at the Nature Center hoping the rain would die down, which it did. Though we enjoyed some sprinkles, it didn't hold us back.
You know how kids play no matter what. They were in the water and building in the sand despite the cold! We (adults) were huddled in camping chairs and blankets (aka: towels).
Lake Michigan never ceases to amaze me with its vastness. You really feel like you're back at the Oregon coast.
Abby is huddling and playing in the sand.
Eliza seems to think every picture needs a ballet pose.
After we played at the beach we found the dunes! My long awaited dunes...I was really excited. I have such fond memories jumping off grassy "cliffs" at the beaches as well as visiting the sand dunes as a kid. Well, we found some! They were mostly covered with vegetation, but here and there we discovered the great pits of sand to run and play in. And run and play we did! I was in heaven watching my kids be in heaven. (Thankfully too, the weather cleared up and we enjoyed some sun!)
I just have to say that Abby was having the time of her life. I mean all the kids were, but she really was. Abby is not really into sporty things. She rides her bike and plays around, but she doesn't think "a sport" is for her. She found herself so in love with hiking and running these hills she exclaimed, "Whenever I have to exercise, bring me HERE!!" She also exclaimed, "This is paradise!"
And the theme of the day, "What goes up...
...must come down."
The kids have been very excited about camping in the yard so we decided to give it a go! They kept thanking us for letting them "go camping" instead of letting them "set up the tent in the back yard." I thought that was so cute.
This is the biggest, most beautiful tree in the yard...isn't it great!? The kids played in the tent off and on during the day and we were sure to enjoy board games and Uno in the morning and through the next day. They even squeaked a second night out of us. I'm pretty sure they had the time of their lives.
Before bed we treated ourselves to a real campfire. We used a little empty corner of our spot used for burning old yard debris. There we were reminded of the horrible mosquitoes Wisconsin has. (the main reason for all our leg/arm/head coverings) And on the way back to the tent (after brushing teeth) we were reminded that frogs come out at night! Dad caught two and the kids and I found a third. Fun for all, except Abby who now has a new fear to add to the list of creepy crawlies.
Here's the little fire, just right for roasting a few marshmallows! We'll have to do this part again, tent or no.
I go on and on about everything we and I am up to on this blog...but wow, could Daniel write a novel about what he's been up to! Not only is he slaving endlessly on our awesome new bathroom, working hard at Kohl's, keeping our weeds whacked, loving our children, taking care of his wife, and serving continuously at church, but he just put on an entire youth conference weekend! He and his amazing group of leaders put together a weekend full of activities for nearly 100 kids age 14-18 in our area. A friend in our ward decided that I must attend their dance, on a boat on Lake Michigan, Friday night. She offered her babysitting services and I couldn't refuse! So we plotted our surprise, and it was great fun! One of the other leaders was photographing all night and shared these with us: (awwww)
Now Daniel, you need to go take about 15 naps. And take a few days off.