Day 274/365 ~ 2012

I had to snap a picture of the bug before church in a cute little outfit that Nana bought for her.
Thank you, Nana!

Day 273/365 ~ 2012

I so enjoy our soccer games on saturday.
The kids are getting old enough that they're actually kind of exciting!



And I love Andrew's post game red cheeks and curly sweaty hair.

I couldn't resist snapping photos of our little dancer and flower picker....





Never at a loss for entertaining herself on the sidelines.

Day 271/265 ~ 2012

What a cute little helper I have!
While doing some house cleaning, Katie asked to help.
She worked so hard vacuuming the living room!
She did a great job...I might have to put her to work more often!
Why can't housework always be fun?

Day 270/365 ~ 2012

Kaitlin chose to bring her bunny to school for "Teddy Bear Day."
It was her first gift...given to her the day of her birth by her big brothers at the hospital.

Day 267/365 ~ 2012

A stop off at the cemetery to bring flowers to my friend Dana to remember her birthday, and some flowers for Dad from his garden. It's hard to believe we're approaching 4 years since he's passed....

Day 266/365 ~ 2012

Sausage Fest!

We travelled to Richland to attend Sausage Fest with the family.  We had a wonderfully relaxing weekend spent at Dan's parents house.  Saturday morning we attended the big fund raiser for Dan's childhood school.



The kids had a ball playing the same games we played as kids.
At the same place.
With the same booths!



Andrew wasn't short on help with this game!



The boys (big and little!) enjoyed shooting the cork guns.
A special lesson was given by Grandpa.



Always a proud moment at the church function when your son passes up the cross necklace for the dollar sign gangster ring.

In his defense, the cross was pink.



The excitement over their junk treasures was so much fun.



We discovered a central theme among Katie's prize selections.



And when we ran out of tickets...Nana couldn't have that!  She does love to spoil her grand kids!  Notice Kaitlin's reaction on the bottom right?  My little mimic.  Perhaps my sign that I need to start keep my comments to myself over the spoiling?  Classic.  After all, I plan on spoiling my grand kids too.  I believe that is an earned right!



We ended the day with a visit from a friend.

And Matthew working for hours with great determination on the pogo stick until he accomplished over 200 consecutive jumps!

Day 263/365 ~ 2012

"Dress in Sports Attire" day at Fox!
Can you feel Matthew and Andrew's love?  I hope they are always good buddies.
The Bug had to be in the picture with Annabelle as well.



She is such a sweet little Mommy.

Day 262/365 ~ 2012

Happy Birthday, Amy!

I enjoyed such a fun morning/afternoon celebrating Amy's birthday.  We sat and chatted for hours while the girls happily played.  It was such a relaxing day ~ part of it spent in the back yard soaking in the amazing weather we are having.  Amy and her husband started our small group, and I am so grateful they invited us to be a part of it.  I love Amy's laugh, sense of humor and her relaxed approach to life is a great balance to my sometimes overly Type A personality.

I hope you have a wonderful year, my friend!

Day 261/365 ~ 2012

A busy day required a quick lunch between errands.
Katie's choice?  Burger King!  She was delighted.
She proudly wore her crown through lunch.
I was honored to eat in the presence of royalty.

Day 260/365 ~ 2012

A date with Matthew!
Matthew and I had his birthday date to the bookstore together after church.
Lunch at Red Robin followed by a trip to Barnes and Noble.



The bookstore/Library has been our date destination ever since he was very small.
Ever since pre-school, his preference has always been encyclopedia style books that categorize and give information rather than stories.



This held true with his selections.   A national geographic book on space (with the bonus of Angry Bird Space illustrations!) and a Guide to all the Ninjago characters.

I cherished this time with Matthew.  Talking with him at greater depth about school and many other topics.  He is open and enjoys talking with me right now and as he gets older I am especially intentional about trying to maintain that relationship with him.

It also gave me an opportunity to express how very proud I am of him and how much I appreciate how dependable and responsible he is at home.  Many times during the day he would just look at me and smile.  He said that he loved our day together.  I really did too.  It was a wonderful afternoon spent with my very special Matthew.

Day 259/365 ~ 2012

Andrew makes a save!



After a morning soccer game, Dan and Andrew had their birthday date to the Lego store to spend Andrew's gift card.



First, lunch at Red Robin and then off to the Lego store...



They even had a Dilly Bar at the mall!  It was indeed a fun and special day for Andrew.  He came home so happy, and his cup was definitely filled.  It was a great birthday gift that created a special memory as well.  I think this will become a tradition for us!  (He still has a date with Mama to the bookstore to look forward to!)

Kaitlin and Matthew were happy when Andrew returned home...



He gave Kaitlin his balloon and he spent part of his gift card on a present for Matthew.  Andrew's generosity started when he was very small and continues today.

Day 258/365 ~ 2012

(These photos were actually taken on Sunday, but I don't have a photo for this day so am putting them here!)



The Bug looked so cute dressed up for church that I snapped a few photos before we left.






My Bugaboo is turning into a little lady.



Happy girl.  I do so love that smile.  She has her Daddy's smile.  I'm so glad that one of our kids got it!  When she smiles she strongly resembles Dan and his mom.




Of course if there's a flower nearby, she's drawn to it.





Flowers and twirling.



Two things my girl loves.

And I love twirling, flower fancying, four year old little girls.

Day 257/365 ~ 2012

My hope is to have most of my Christmas shopping done by December 1st.
I did this last year and it made for a really great December.
So I've gotten my start and have been picking things up here and there and stashing them away.
I asked Kaitlin what she'd like Santa to bring for Christmas.
"The garden doll at Costco" is what she's thinking she might like.

Day 256/365 ~ 2012

One of my favorite movies.
A treasure trove of lessons for the kids, which I talked about as we watched this on a lazy afternoon on early release day.
After taking in "Mr. Potter," Kaitlin declared, 
"I don't want to be rich!  It's mean to be rich!"  :)

Day 255/365 ~ 2012

My little gardening girl was delighted to plant some bulbs with Mama.
Those aren't freckles on her cheeks, but specks of mud.
She might be girly, but she's not afraid to dig in the dirt!

Day 254/365~2012

We've had a gorgeous summer.
Warm temperatures, clear skies ~ glorious!
But Dan and I are starting to crave some fall comfort food.
Beef Stroganoff was on the menu for tonight....



Delicious!

Day 253/365 ~ 2012

Happy 7th Birthday, Noah Bean!
We love you so much!!! 

Day 252/365 ~ 2012

I just love this picture.
Buddies through and through.
We watched Andrew's first soccer game, then scooted off as quick as we could to catch Noah's game.
There is just something about this pair at this particular age that is so fun.
They are both such characters!

Day 250/365 ~ 2012

For the last 6 years we have had a first day of pre-school.
This will be our last!



The Bug was SO excited to start school!



Daddy always has the honor of holding the little hand and walking in.



Apple #5 in the Lollipop room
Such responsibility!



She was all smiles when she sat down on at the table with the children and immediately starting chatting away with her teacher like they were old friends!



A little celebratory lunch and shopping was the perfect way to end the day!