Where did September go?

The Wilders, one of my favorite bands year-round.

Emily people watching, she gets that from me, I could sit and watch people all day, especially at the festival. You'll never see so many different people in one place all at once I guarantee it!

September flew by so fast around here. School got started in full swing which has been a bit of a challenge but I think is finally going a bit more smoothly. Me and the girls went to the Bluegrass festival and has a wonderful time. The weather was more than perfect. I got to hang out with my some of my favorite people that weekend. I stayed late every night and enjoyed tons of great music. I even found a few new favorites. It was very relaxing. My brother Jeff came for the festival I don't see him very often. I miss him so much.

Emily and Barrett relaxing while listening to music, how sweet...

Soccer has been in full swing and the girls are so awesome this year. Kylie has scored 1 or more goals each game even 3 in one game. Emily is the same way she has scored almost every game. I love to watch them play they are both very aggressive and really like competing. Their last game is on Sat. I'm kinda glad because it is getting awfully cold sitting out there watching.

Todd has been having a great football season, we have been to almost every game. When he first started coaching I never went to games. I guess mostly because the girls were so little and they didn't enjoy it, but now we all love going and watching dad in action. We get all dressed up warm and go cheer on the team. Laura has a great post about the game and parade last friday evening.

I've been helping out at Emily's school, the teacher asked me to make flash cards and review words with some of the kids that are having trouble reading basic words fast. It's been fun but I usually only have a good 15 min. before they have to move on and get their day started. I come in at the beginning of the day. Starting next week I will be helping out in all 3 kindergarten classrooms. I'm excited to get in there again and help out. In the winter I need something to get me out of the house for a bit.

October is almost over now, the girls both have birthdays next month. Things are getting ready to get busier around here.

It's a mess...

One new window is in....
The old siding looks terrible....

The outside of my house is a mess. This past week we started tearing things up. We were supposed to start this project back in July. BUT... now that it's cold we are starting, doesn't make much sense to me but that's the way things work out sometimes. My neighbor is a carpenter and he was busy until now. I'm helping him. yes, me. I love to do things like this. I'm pretty good with tools. I was always following my dad around when I was young watching him fix things and build stuff. It sunk in. Not to long ago I put the kitchen faucet in. Most recently I have torn off trim and siding, soon I will be taking windows out. I'm excited to get this project DONE! I've waited a long time to have new windows that were not stuck shut because it rains and so many of them are cracked. This winter will be much warmer. We are getting new siding too. My house is going to look different. Now if it just had another bathroom, bedroom and laundry room it would be ideal. Some days it feels like we have outgrown this house but it's paid for and right now that's a pretty cool feeling. We may eventually get something bigger, but for now its fine. We are cozy. I always think of this old song lyric that says "Love grows best in little houses just like this." Yes we trip over the laundry while going to the fridge, we wait in line to go to the bathroom, when I warm my tush in front of the fireplace my husband can't see the tv, but I love it here right now. I have my moments. I have a connection to this house. Both of my babies were born here. I've lovingly painted each room and organized them just right. We have this tree outside that has become one little girls favorite spot this past summer. Our back yard is big and private and has the cutest playhouse with a lamp that shines through the window when the girls are playing inside. So when this rain stops and the windows get delivered I'll put my long underwear on and head outside and give our home a makeover. Can't wait!!!

Back of the house before picture...

Evening Sunflowers....

Yesterday Laura and I decided to take the kids out to the sunflower field and take a few pictures just for fun...

It was hot in that sunflower field and we all wore jeans knowing we would be wading through waist high weeds. We didn't last to long but she did get a couple of me and the girls.

Barrett was not interested in pictures he wanted his mimi to hold him the whole time we were there. I didn't mind a bit. Here he is happy as can be on the way home playing with the cell phone.

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Lately I've been thinking about all the great things Laura and I get to do together. Lots of times it's just simple things which are my favorite anyway. I treasure the friend she has become since Justin made us sisters. I'm so happy that she is part of my life.

Vegetables, Music, Puppies, and Coffee

Flowers at the coffee shop....

Emily sipping her hot cocoa with extra whipped cream, her favorite part.

Kylie and I just hanging out.

At the farmer's market with "Mimie"

loving on the lab puppies, they all wanted to take them home. Not me!!

Strolling with grandma Sandy, they bought some local pecans.

Aren't these peppers just beautiful?

My pictures are in crazy order but I couldn't get them to move so here they are!!

On Saturday we got out and went to our usual garage sales.... we didn't find much but what I was really excited about was the farmer's market. Our town has the cutest little set up. The vendors line the parking lot and some times you will hear music too. This day was no exception Robin Macy was there to sing. She sings bluegrass music and owns the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine Kansas. I first heard of her at our local Walnut Valley bluegrass festival years ago.

We had a great time looking at all the beautiful veggies and there was a pickup truck with the cutest little lab puppies that needed a home. The little girl that owned them had tried out her new kindergarten scissors on their fur. Her dad didn't seem to mind, he thought it was kinda cute I was glad she didn't cut their ears off. The puppies were so sweet and gentle.

Barrett liked walking around holding hands and patting the big juicy watermelons the girls were happy to lead him wherever he would take them.

Today we had some errands to do so we went to our local coffee shop and had hot chocolate and raspberry lemon muffins for breakfast. We ate on the front porch and soaked up the morning sun. The girls took pictures of the flowers and we took pictures of each other. It was a nice way to start the day. It was one of those things we hadn't done this summer so we really enjoyed ourselves.

We went home for a while and packed a picnic lunch and picked up my grandparents and took them with us to the park, we surprised them and Laura and Barrett joined us too. We spread out blankets and ate sandwiches and grapes and just enjoyed the shade of a big sycamore tree. On the way home my grandpa thanked me for even wanting to mess with inviting the "old folks." I so enjoy my grandparents and am so blessed that my girls can spend time with them and know them well. I think it's important for kids to spend time with older generations, we can all learn so much from them.

So tomorrow bright an early in the morning, Laura , my super talented sister-in-law is taking my girls out for a fun little photo shoot. Laura has really taken off with her photography business so please check her out if you are interested in senior pictures or family sessions. You will not be disappointed. I think it will be so much fun to see how it goes, it's different when it's not mom taking the pictures. It took us awhile but I think we finally picked out some cute clothes. I tucked them in their sweet little beds and kissed them and told them how much I love them. Summer is almost over......

The winner is.....

Jenny Turner you won the contest! You had a pretty good chance since there were only 4 comments. I will make you a cute fabric shopping bag. You can stop by sometime and pick out the fabric you want. Thanks for leaving me a comment I love to read them....

A few things we did....

We've been busy, and not so busy. The girls are beginning to get bored. School starts in another week. We're ready, and not so ready. We wake up and they say "mom what are we gonna do today?" So I make them clean their room.

We have had a full summer. We have spent time with Grandmas and Grandpas, had friends over for sleepovers, baked, rode bikes, dug in the dirt, rode roller coasters, climbed trees, chased Barrett, rode the 4-wheeler, shopped, fought, oh, how they like to fight! I turned 35. uggg...we went swimming, and tubing. We played softball and Wii. I guess that's just a bit of all that we did.

This summer was special, but they all are. I treasure my children and want to enjoy all the moments with them. I try hard to keep my patience and I want them to know I stay home with them because I want to. I want them to remember summers with mom. I'm so sad that It's coming to an end. Kylie is going into 5th grade and that is a huge change for all of us. We have a wonderful close relationship and she is a very smart girl. I know she will be making new friends and choices. I'm glad I can be here for her at the close of each day.

I'm anxious to see Emily continue to gain confidence in reading and am ready for the challenge of making her sit down each evening to read. I think I'm ready for that challenge? She would rather be in a tree. Maybe we could read in a tree???

We have done lots of really fun things and spent some wonderful days together and I'm gonna be lonely when they go back to school. I am ready for the routine of school. I'm sure I will be helping out in Emily's classroom again. I love that and am so happy to do it.

The weather this past week has been rainy and dreary which usually I do not like but I dug in the closet and found some hemp cord and a Klutz book about making bracelets. Something I bought a long time ago at a garage sale. I decided that they could probably catch onto this pretty quickly so I showed the girls and they loved it. Kylie made lots of fun bracelets all different colors. She showed Emily once and she was hooked too. I think they did this for two days while watching movies and listening to music.

I made some bread and butter pickles in the microwave.... I thought they were pretty good. My grandparents had a few cucumber plants out and they got an abundance so every few days they would bring me a sack. I remembered this recipe that a friend gave me years ago. So easy.

As an end to the summer and since I haven't blogged for weeks, if your still coming back and reading my blog leave me a comment and on Monday I will randomly draw a name for something fun and homemade.

We made it!

a deer in the woods at our resort, we were so close...

Barrett and Laura enjoying the boat

Riding the teacups

Justin and I tubing

The family at Sliver Dollar City

Our Cabin

We left last Wed. for Branson. The four of us, Justin, Laura and Barrett, Mom and Dad and my brother Jeff. It was wonderful.... We got on the road mid-morning in two vehicles and the dvd player, these things are the best for traveling kids, it makes the time go faster. I rented movies we had never seen, that is the key to keeping them interested. Anyway we made it to our resort, The Tribesman around 4:00. We got all moved in and spread out. We had 4 bedrooms.

We planned on Silver Dollar City on Thurs. We got 2 days for the price of one at our resort. We really only planned one day but ended up going back Sat. all day too. Our legs were so tired of walking up and down those hills, but we had a great time. Kylie absolutely loved the roller coasters, all of them! I never dreamed she would be so into that. Emily not so much, we got her on one and after that she was not doing it again. We saw a magic show and mom bought the girls a bag of magic tricks. Grandfather's mansion was one of our favorite spots too. We laughed so hard we could hardly even breath!

We ate cotton candy, funnel cakes, ice cream, the food is pretty expensive there but it's so fun too. The best kept secret there that I found out about on a mom's blog before we left was that if you ask you can get a cup of ice water for free at any of the food booths, which are around every corner. We did this alot, we watched people purchase bottled water for 2.75 each. They do not tell you this little tidbit or offer it to anyone you just have to ask. Cool huh? I loved that.

We had so much fun just being together, Barrett went with us the first day and he was so good.
The weather was amazing and it's really shady all throughout too. The second day Todd and my dad stayed at the cabin with Barrett and took him for rides on the golf cart and let him take his naps.
On Friday Todd went down and rented a big pontoon boat and a tube. I had never been tubing and so I was really excited about this, and I loved it!! Justin and I were the ones out there the majority of the time. I have to say I did alot better that I thought I would! The girls did really well too. It was not fun to fall off when you weren't ready, Kylie liked getting off the tube on her own terms so she liked going pretty slow. Our bodies were so sore by the time we left it was unbelievable. With all the walking and tubing we could barely make it up the spiral staircase that evening.

Family vacations are so much fun, we hated to see it end and we all dreaded the long drive home on Sunday. Everyone was pretty tired. The girls loved being with Barrett all day long and especially when he woke up in the morning. He was so sweet! He loved having them around too.

He gave me a new nickname on vacation, he started calling me, memie. When he wanted to escape from the girls or saw me going up the stairs he would yell MEMIE and I would rescue him! So cute. Can't wait till our next adventure together. I'm so blessed to have such a close family.

Sparkling

4th of July was lots of fun. Todd and I cooked lots of food and had our neighbors over along with her parents who were in town visiting. My mom and dad came over too. The night before we went to a firework stand just outside of town and got some fun things, nothing to big. The kids were so excited to get to the fun.

After dinner we went out and shot fireworks and rode the 4-wheeler that my dad just bought for the girls. Justin and Laura joined us. Todd's dad and aunt even showed up.

It was so relaxed and the weather was just beautiful. We could see the towns firework show from where we were.

This is what summer is all about. I love when we can all be together. The kids love that no one cares what time they get to bed. They can play outside until they just can't play anymore.

Picnic at the park

Laura called on Thursday and asked us to go on a picnic at the park. Of course we said yes and I quickly thought I would take my camera. I had realized that morning that it was my mom and dad's 37th anniversary and I thought maybe if we got some great pictures of all 3 kids we could frame them and give them as a gift. We went and picked up our picnic lunch at sonic. Picnic food couldn't be easier. It was a last minute picnic after all. We found a big shade tree and ate lunch and them decided to walk around and take some pictures. Barrett was not really in the mood, but my girls they were so beautiful that day. I even got Emily to wear a sundress and if you know her that was not easy. She usually wears basketball shorts and a tank top. Kylie looked so grown up too.

I handed the camera over to Laura. A while back we took a photography class together and I think she absorbed a little more of the info than I did but I'm working on it.

We walked through the nature center and tried to stay in the shade. We got some cute pictures and my mom and dad just loved them.

Later I will try and post on what we've been up to this summer. I hope someone is still visiting my long lost blog. We really are still here. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th.

I know, I know.....

These lilys have just bloomed in my front yard over the past two days. Aren't they gorgoeus?

Daisy's in the front yard. I love daisy's!

I will not make up excuses why I haven't blogged in so long. I need to get a rountine for myself, my journal of what happens with us. I tell myself everything else really needs to be done before I sit at the computer and write. It just doesn't work that way. Anyway we have been super busy with the end of school stuff, picnics, parties, friends, softball, yardwork, haircuts, man have I given alot of haircuts in the past few weeks.

I've been practicing with my camera. I took a class to help me understand all the wonderful things my camera will do. Now if I can get it all to click in my head I'll be set. Manual settings on a camera are very sensitive.

Kylie was sad this morning thinking that today was her last day of elementary school. It makes me sad too but it's exciting to watch her grow up and do different things. Yesterday she got to try out some orchestra instruments. It will be fun to see how quickly she can pick up music. She is such a talented girl. She was selected as Star Student for her class on tues. she was surprised in front of the 3rd and 4th grade at an assembly. Her teacher wrote the nicest things about her and she just cried as she was chosen. We are very very proud of her. She is also starting fastpitch softball and wants to try pitching. Games will start in full swing on tues.

Barrett got to come as watch Kylie win her award. He was her special guest. His momma took our picture.

Emily is so ready for school to be out but she will miss her friends so much, she is a social bug. Look at all the boys. These are her best friends.

She is also playing softball and seems to be really excited. She is going to be a great hitter.

I cannot believe my baby will be in 2nd grade. She loves to play outside and is very content to dig in the dirt and throw rocks, she loves to ride bikes. Such a tomboy. We are so proud of Emily too she has the sweetest heart.

Tomorrow we are all home together all day. I'm very hopeful that we can get in a good routine and the girls will not fight all day long because boy they love to do that. I'm looking forward to a wonderful summer filled with lots of exciting adventures. Last night we went over and helped the neighbors put up their pool. In the summer I'm the pool girl. I take care of all the chemicals and cleaning and it's an everyday job but we can use the pool anytime we want and to me that's worth it. Its 15x4. Perfect size for the kids. They have a girl a year older than Kylie and they all 3 get along pretty well. We love our neighbors. We have cookouts and the kids swim more evenings than not. I love summer.

Well I'm off to give blood this morning at a local blood drive. It has been over 15 years since I have given blood but I hope to do it more often. My mom does it all the time and she talked me into doing it too. It really is a wonderful thing to do for people.

Faces

I love really close up pictures of their faces, it shows their sweetness, at least to me anyway.

You can see the tiny hairs on their cheeks and each little lash on their eyes.

My girls are so beautiful to me, inside and out.

I cannot believe how fast they are growing up.

I want to recall each moment with them.