EXCUSES, EXCUSES

What can I say?

I've been busy.

Schoolwork, Housework, Growing Children, Doctor appointments, Extra-curricular activities, Sickness, Just Plain Old Tiredness...something is always occupying our time.  I'm rather looking forward to a forced break when our new little one arrives in a couple of weeks.  

Some snippets of life these past 2 months?

We went apple picking as a family.

That will get its own separate post because some of the pictures are just too cute not to share.

 Soccer, soccer, and more soccer.

They are still undefeated!

(no, the coach is not hitting the girl in the head!)

 

 Michael had the opportunity to tend goal for a portion of one game.

He was super excited about that.

Silliness..

We celebrated 7 years of wedded bliss.  ;)

And we actually went OUT.

I know!

I was surprised by a lovely bouquet of roses followed by

 a nice, quiet dinner--

School work...

A 60th Birthday Celebration

(grand kids, minus one)

Believe me, there have been a lot more happenings!

We also celebrated Abby Cadaby's first birthday..

Michael and Carina had their first "official" visit to the dentist.

Michael had a follow-up visit for some preventative measures and did awesomely!!

Dance is going well..Little Miss is loving it.

I  had my arm twisted was asked to play the organ for Sunday Services and take my turn in the evening now with two others.  I will be taking a short hiatus from this until the new year, being that I have a belly that is getting rather cumbersome and will soon, Lord willing, have an infant to be my priority over playing.

And there you have it..just a brief glimpse into our craziness.

Sorry for such a gap in posting.

MAKING THE SWITCH

We did it.  

Travis is in a big boy bed.

What a little stinker he is too...

All the other kids were excited and had no issues transferring over--yeah, not this kid!

We put on the safety rails over a week before he would even have anything to do with it.

(FYI, he is on the bottom bunk, Michael is on top)

So one night, I finally got him into it and about 25+ bedtimes songs later..and a soccer ball, he fell asleep.  We are making progress in the getting to sleep department, but it is still not where I would like it to be. I can put him down and sit with him a little while, and then go out usually without him making a fuss or getting out.  Still a far cry from the crib, but we're working on it.

 I still put him for a nap in the crib..I am afraid once it is raised up in a couple of weeks that naps will be done..but we'll see--I really, really hope that is NOT the case.

  Bedtime was a bigger obstacle, since I will be needing the crib in a few short weeks.

Mornings are also a bit different because now he just gets up when he wakes up, rather than waiting for me to get him.  As a result, we get off to a slower start, but so far that hasn't been a problem.  Normally I would get up and be showered with breakfast cooking by the time Mister woke up.  Now--well, the past couple days anyway, he is up a lot earlier and ends up climbing in bed with me for a few minutes in the morning.

We'll run with it.

BACK TO SUMMER: END OF SUMMER READING CELEBRATION

You know how we feel about our library around here--

its awesome.

This year they did something a little bit different to celebrate the end of the summer reading program--had a party!

Complete with food..

crafts..

prizes...

and games..

What more could we ask for?

PICKING

I had a group apple picking date arranged for this season.

However, it rained.  People got sick. And so on and so forth.

So, this was an impromptu apple picking venture with Aunt Essie and cousins.

We were pretty much the only ones there and it ended up being a warmish, sunny day.

Everyone had a sample..

The gang, minus Tabitha.

She was in the stroller.

 The walk down to the orchard (that was pick-able) was quite a hike for little legs.

It was also hilly..

It took us quite awhile especially since Mister had to stop and pick up or examine every (or every other) rock and dirt patch..

There were some goats and sheep to visit afterwards.

So, instead of a larger group we went as a small group.

Different locale too, but it turned out well.

I was glad to get apples and the week was just really, really busy to the point that I think I got worn down from too much and it contributed to my sickness this week!!

SUMMER ACTIVITY

One of my August activities included using all those garden veggies..

I didn't take too many pictures, but you get the idea.

Bread and Butter pickles in the beginning stage..

cooking..

The beginnings of relish..

Tomatoes were our best producers this time around.

I think we'll mix it up a bit for the next garden and try some new things.

Relish canned.

 I also did a bunch of spaghetti sauce.

New recipe, so I'll have to let you know...er..you'll have to let me know, how it compares to others.

We ran out of tomatoes before I could do salsa, but maybe I'll make that priority for next year.

I'm looking forward to applesauce in the next month or so.

Did you try any new recipes?

Anything worth sharing?

ANNUAL PARTY

Every year, Mike's employer holds an all-day party for his employees that have been with the company for 10 years or more.  

This is our second year going.

The kids love the little pool..it is a really nice facility.

They offer the pools, playground, tennis courts, golf and a small variety of table top games..foosball, ping pong, etc.

Lunchtime!  

We didn't take too many pictures this year.

Oh well!

Thanks for a nice day, Mr. Miller!

ALL GONE

It was time.

As much as we (I) loved the curls, it was getting scraggly.

So, this past Saturday, I took Travis for his first haircut.

Some before pictures.

In the chair.

The back.

Not too thrilled..we started out with him solo in the chair, 

but he ended up in my lap where he did just fine.

All cleaned up!

My handsome little man.

The first haircut always seems to make them look so much older.

In other Travis news, he sits on the potty probably once a day, I haven't yet buckled down into a schedule with that..no results yet (except for once!).  We put safety rails on the bottom bunk to get him into a big boy bed, but he really wants nothing to do with that either.  That was a surprise--all the other kids were happy to get into a big bed.  Not this guy!  

Couple short weeks, kiddo, and you don't have a choice anymore!