Back to school

Last tastes of summer

 We've really been going for it the last few weeks, trying to catch up on all the summer fun we put off while enjoying our sweet little Sarah's arrival.  I've forgotten my camera most of the excursions to go skating, playing at the children's museum, & enjoying numerous parks & libraries. 

This last week while Darren was in San Francisco we also hung out with cousins,

 redeemed some summer reading coupons, (check out those blue tongues!)

 flew kites, 

 climbed "mountains,

 got up close & personal with some elk, 

 checked out the fishies,

 gave Sarah some serious stroller time,

& explored the prairie.  I think we're doing pretty good.

Here comes school!

Alivia's Baptism

 We have another newly baptized niece!  Alivia Mae is beautiful inside & out.

They're such a cute little family.  :)  It was a nice treat to see their parish priest who is an old friend as well!

 Andrew loves to hold Sarah & has recently started carrying her around as well... makes me a tad nervous, but he's so in love with her & so proud of himself.

Can you tell they're related? 

Congratulations, Christine & Derek!

Family Reunion

Our 7th annual family reunion for my Dad's side of the family was another big success!  Lots of catching up, meeting new babies, tagging, eating, chasing ducks, jungle-gyming, guitar (& ukulele!) playing, & general fun.  The one thing we didn't do was take a big family photo this time.  Next year!

Take 2

 Since we only had a couple of hours the first time, we decided to take another look at the county fair last week.  We had to catch the model trains,

 bunnies,

 assorted goofy looking animals, 

 & the Swampmaster Alligator Show.  Oh, my.

It was all more fun because Uncle Fr. Jon could join us AND because we topped it off with a funnel cake.  The taste of summer.

Tuckered

It's exhausting being 3!

Batteries not included

Turns out that the swing is a lot more fun with batteries!  

Game of emotions

Andrew & Rebecca's newest thrill is a game of Monopoly.  It gets a little crazy!  This is semi-staged, but it reminds me of real games with my little brother growing up... if he didn't win, things got ugly.  Good thing he's now a priest & not a businessman!  :)  Love you, Fr. Jon.

Nice parking

County Fair

 We've been busy creating for the county fair!

Andrew's artwork:  Sunset on the water - watercolor

Obstacle Course - computer art

Hobbit hole - charcoal drawing

 Teresa's artwork:  Fishes, hearts, & T's - watercolor

Peeking out the window - colored pencil

Nice & mean contest - crayon

 Rebecca's artwork:  Happy Robot - crayon

Robin's nest - acrylic painting

Misty rise - colored pencil

Catching a butterfly - computer art

 Andrew earned a 1st place champion ribbon on his charcoal drawing!  He's beyond giddy.  Don't be surprised if you see him wearing it for the next month!  :P

 Rebecca earned a 1st place ribbon on her computer art & Andrew a 3rd place ribbon.

 Teresa constructed this 8 car duplo train all by herself using every little person we own & earned a 1st place ribbon, too!

 Rebecca earned a 4th place on her colored pencil drawing... which was actually my favorite of her work.  There was nothing "misty" about it, but she really liked that as the title. 

 Sarah earned a blue ribbon for sitting in the stroller & being uber-cute.

 After the thrill of their earnings, the kids barely even needed rides, but we had some free ones so we couldn't pass it up.  Andrew once again wanted to do the big slide & Rebecca decided she was brave enough to try it, too.  Right before I took this shot, she realized she might have been wrong.  ;)  She bailed into the 2nd slide once she hit the checkerboard.

 Riding the ponies with Dad

 Teresa was completely giddy with each ride.  I can still hear her giggling on this one!

We hit the exotic petting zoo on the way back to the van.  Had to get a picture of our zebra girl with a real zebra.

But now, I see

 Sarah's vision has definitely been improving & it's so fun to see what catches her attention.  She's currently in love with Eeyore who hangs above her Pack N Play.  Aside from Daddy, he probably gets the best smiles.