Red Rover Red Rover October's Almost Over

 

There's something about tv trays that make school work more fun...

 

...add a little shaving cream to the mix and we've got not only smart kids (he he), but great smelling kids too :)

 One of our latest trips to the park... I might or might not have been balancing granola bars on my head to get the desired effect.

 

Since Sam learned how to ride a bike without training wheels, Sy has been wholeheartedly practicing when ever he can. But when an adult is not available for assistance, he motors away on his trike. See below. I think it's really cute.

 

 

A group of us that work in children's ministry at church had the sweet opportunity to go to Chicago for a KidMin conference earlier in the month. This is how our table was set during one of the 8 hour seminars. They helped us cast vision and kept us pretty busy!!

 Our nephew Grey turned one on Saturday! Here he is fascinated by the shiny bow.

 This is the cake that Grey's AMAZING mom made! Amber has been working on this party since August, and it really showed...from hanging vines to animal cracker treat bags, she covered it all!

 

We dressed up in costumes for the party (Sherwood happened to have trick or treating that same day). Someone was crying over spilled milk....

The kids started gym class last Friday, & here is the "under age 9" group. It was so fun to watch them play all different types of tag, and then have open swim for an hour afterwards.

 Leila's face was priceless at the start of this hot rod ride in the mall (normally I let the kids sit in them if we pass them, but since we were with Grandma, she didn't hesitate to hand out quarters!). Eventually, Leila got in the groove, but was a bit shocked at first that those things even moved.

 A couple of pics from our week long camping trip to the Pine in Florence County. We had an amazing week, right at the peek of the changing colors.

 

Here was our view from one of the campsites. I sat here one afternoon quietly listening to worship music and thanking God for who He Is. Nothing short of Amazing.

Vacations, Birthdays and Tumbling

Tim took the boys up north for a few days while the girls and I took the malls by storm and got our nails done...uh...er....not exactly :) We did have a blast, though, doing art projects, watching The Sound of Music, and visiting a new Children's Museum in the area (our team of  2 and one baby cut our admission costs in half :) In the meantime, Sammy was catching fish after fish!

Gretta earned up to $5 in spending money, so we took a trip to the craft store and she picked out a package of cardboard dolls, some paint, and some bright pink feathers. Our neighbor Leia came over and the girls enjoyed an afternoon of painting and play.

The whole unique vintage collection of dollies!

We also played ball outside and decorated the driveway with chalk art.

 

We took a trip to the country to visit Diggs at his new home. This is the first time Leila has seen him and she didn't seem either afraid or excited...mostly curious :)

We had a double birthday party celebrating Leila's first year and Grandma GG. I have zero pics from the party... I laugh when I think about Gretta's first party compared to Leila's! We had a fire, played games, and grilled out. 

We thank God all of the time for our sweet little one year old. The Lord fashioned her into this beautiful, curious, talkative, vibrant little girl and we look forward to watching His work in her life unfold!

Leila eating her first cupcake on her actual birthday, the Monday before the party... 

All four in one picture!! ha! It is possible :) 

After about 45 minutes of supposedly "quiet" play, his room was suddenly silent. I peaked in to find Silas out cold on the floor. I totally understand, buddy!

Gretta had her check-up almost a year after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Her numbers were great, and she seemed to think the doctor was pretty funny. Im humbled by all of the help we have had from family and friends during this journey, and especially for the Lord's comfort and guidance. Not to us, but to Him be the glory!!

A few months ago, the boys were playing rough in the living room (gasp!) and Sam hit his chin on a bench, which caused his bottom tooth to become loose. Just recently, while eating dinner, Sam bit into something hard resulting in a looser tooth and lots of wiggling. Out it came! 

Leila and her friend Quinn supporting the fluffy pink skirt look :)

Sam started his tumbling class on Mondays in the fall. He really liked this part...

But wasn't so sure about this part where the instructor had them guard a half-ball (but NO stepping on it) while they waited their turn. It has been fun to see him climb on things that were made for climbing on:)

Here is the crew trying to get Leila to dig in to her cupcake..

And here is Leia (Kendra Leia but she goes by Leia!), a little girl we watch a couple of days a week. Her mom said she speaks Spanglish, and I thought, oh, Im sure I will understand her...after all, I DO have a Spanish minor (has it really been nine years?!)

Happy First Birthday Leila!

Happy First Birthday Leila!

Leila will be one on 9.10.12. Here is a preview (just click on the link above) of her first year with us. We are so thankful to the Lord for her. Some of her favorite things are taking baths, showing off her rhythmic moves to almost any tune, sucking her left thumb, getting in on the rough and tumble play of her older siblings, and snuggling with her blankie made by our dear friend Rebecca. We hope you enjoy! Thank you to all who have made her first year of life so special!

July Flew By...

This month was full of fun from birthday parties to seeing Uncle Josh in Madison to two weeks of Vacation Bible School. We don't have many pictures to show those things, but carry the memories in our hearts!! Here we are, getting ready for September 9th! Go Pack Go!

One Saturday morning we took a walk down to Lambeau to watch the Packers practice. There was a large white tent set up with lots of things for the kids to do.

 

I could hardly believe these climbers! Once we took Sy's socks off, he scaled the wall without a problem. Grets and Sam climbed like rock stars. 

 

Future NFL linebacker :)

 

 For my birthday, Gretta, Sam and I went to a movie while Tim took Leila and Sy for a bike ride. Many people tell us Leila looks just like her cousin Hadassah. The proof is in the picture :)

And here is my birthday cake. How pretty!!

Another evening walk to Lambeau Field, this time sitting in front of Curly Lambeau.

 Sy snoozing, but still holding on!!

We took a walk to pizza hut to use our free mini pizza coupons from the summer reading at the library program. Leila's happy with water (and sweet potato) :) Maybe she can try the pizza next year.

 Here we are at the library meeting some turtles, snakes and frogs. 

 

Our dear friends Sarah and Julia (far left) came to visit us for a night this month. We had such a sweet visit and look forward to visiting them in Arizona sometime in the future!!

 

 Our last night with Uncle Phil and Auntie Danielle, helping with the bedtime routine. Praying they have a joyful time in China and can't wait to see them again!!

 

And finally, Sy with his potty poster. He's been doing a great job and is motivated by juice, stickers and hugs!

June Sweet June

 This is our first trip of the summer. We took a weekend vacation to Florence, WI. None of us took many pictures, but here are two sweet kiddos in their life jackets on the boat.

 

"I really have to wear this the whole time?? Its a bit snug :)" -Leila

  

Everyone was so tired, but we told them that if they managed to stay awake half way through our trip home, we would stop for ice cream. They did all they could to keep their eyes open!

At the park with good friends Lily and Logan!

  Roses from Tim. Too bad you can't smell them. They are such a treat! He texted me from work to check the front porch when I have a minute. He was tracking them online :) What a guy!!

         

We watched Ethan a few days in June while his mom was finding more permanent care for him during the day. She teaches piano lessons and works at a music store. We had fun going for walks, playing in the kiddie pool, and practicing walking...

 

He will be on his own in no time!

 

  Here's Sammy on Grettas bike. They are working hard at not using training wheels. I still remember dad taking me and Linds out on our purple unicorn banana seat bikes...one of us ran right into the back of  a (parked) car. The other one was crying so hard from laughter!

"Maybe if I tell her I'm four, she'll let me ride!"

 Our second trip to the cabin, this time without Grandparents and for five days!!

 Getting ready to go for a hike. I can just see it now, "MOOOOOM, why did you make me wear that silly hat??" -Gretta at age 15 commenting on this photo :)

 Beautiful Beansie

 Silly Sam

 Goofy Sy Guy

 Princess Leila :)

 We made it to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Marquette...the view was worth every step!

Off to finish up some yard work...pics to come of our newly built (thanks grandpa!) fire pit. Stay tuned :)