Zoo Day

I decided to take the kids and Parker to the zoo yesterday.

(Loving one of the perks of homeschooling - FREEDOM!)

It was a beautiful day.

And with two 10 year olds as part of our group - I hardly had to do any work!

Although the woman at the gate still told me I was nuts for bringing 6 kids all by myself!

They were pretty good about all my picture taking. 

Torrance would have stayed with the goats the entire day. 

Really I think all the kids would have. 

 But yeah, her especially! 

SO cute. 

Feeding the giraffe was another highlight. 

What is it about giraffes? Are they not just precious? 

Look at that tongue!

SO excited! 

Tori was a little scared on the train...I caught this picture of her hand on Sully's leg for comfort. 

CUTENESS!

And then they were holding hands. 

We got to see a diver cleaning the tanks. 

Thank you for a fun day Blank Park Zoo! 

Parker Time!

Jordan's Aunt Pam and Uncle Tom are here and brought their grand-daughter Parker for the week. 

The girls have not seen her in a few years but you wouldn't know it!

They have had SO much fun together. 

Last night we had a slumber party. 

Fun girl time!

an explanation is needed...

Contessa...what exactly are you plotting? 

I keep finding this poor Cabbage Patch in dangerous situations...

'A nice little Saturday'...

Our plans for today were a little shopping and a whole lot of bike riding at George Wyth Park.

Tori's fever turned our plans into - a whole of waiting at Urgent Care, very little shopping and finally some bike riding. 

Everyone had a blast bike riding...even Tori who ended up with an ear infection and very red sore throat. She lasted really well until we got home. 

Then kind of broke down and it was obvious we were going to pay for a busy day with a sick baby. 

She hasn't eaten or drank much all day. So tonight she got one of my coveted Schwan's Push-ups!

I do not share these easily - but I'll do anything for cuddle time and to get her to stop crying!

Praying she gets some sleep tonight and wakes up feeling better after a couple doses of the antibiotic today.

 Jordan and Sullivan were thrilled that the Bears were playing when we finished supper.
They had some cuddle time too...what's it called if they cuddle during football? A huddle?

I'm so glad Jordan has a boy! 

Girls Night In!

We had big plans to attend the first Spartan football game tonight...

but then Tori woke up from a FIVE HOUR afternoon nap with a temp of 103.5.

So the little girls and I stayed home while the big kids went to the game with dad. 

I dont mind...I know before too long they will all be running off to these games with friends...

And I'll miss nights like this so much it will hurt. 

Yeah, I'll take some snuggle time and a princess movie for my Friday night. 

You bet I will. 

Yakin'

We have not had our kayaks out since we got home from Michigan. 

It has been such a DRY summer and the rivers are SO low. 

One night last week we decided to head to Pine Lake and give the kayaks some attention. 

Tori loves the boats...just not sitting in them..she wants to stand and get out and cause trouble. 

She is so cute in her life jacket though!

Avery is getting so confident out there on her own!

Lauren's is always our helper. 

And Sullivan, always the mischief maker...wait, who bought those water guns? 

Oh yes, the original mischief maker...Daddy! 

I'm baaaaack!

Hi, have you missed me? 

I know I've been MIA this summer. 

I will be the first to tell you that I am not sad to see the Summer of 2012 end. 

It kind of kicked my butt. 

But then it also encouraged my heart by getting me closer to my savior, reminding me how awesome my kids, husband, family and friends are...so it wasn't all bad....just full of learning!

But I'm back now and you get to see adorable pictures of Miss Contessa! 

Public school started yesterday and I was nervous. 

How would my kids react to the change? 

How would I react? 

To my surprise but praise to God...we all rocked it! 

No tears. Just excitement. 

Lauren is going to school for PE, Vocal and Band. 

Avery and Sullivan for Music. 

After that we went and bought our school supplies and then stopped for 

a cupcake at the Rogue and set up all our supplies. 

It was a totally fun day!

Yeah! 

We are officially starting school on the 27th. 

The room is ready and I'm slowly getting more comfortable with the curriculum. 

Tess is excited to be learning right along with us. 

Tori...well she may need to be kenneled or something during school hours! 

We are joining the Homeschool Co-op nearby and are very excited to meet some more homeschool families. Its going to be a very exciting year for us! 

Its always exciting and heart pumping to jump into something God has asked you to do! 

Side note - this is so Tess...she had to wear a pair of Sully's old flip flops cause she can NEVER find hers....and they are on the wrong feet - AWALYS...and of course...she's tattooed. 

Also very Tess...my little tease. 

And clown. 

Happy Start of the School Year!!! 

I'm baaaaaaack!

Time with Robert

I love it when my brothers, both near and far, come for visits...

but I'm not a real big fan of them leaving. 

We've had Robert in town for almost two weeks. 

We packed in a lot of fun. 

He watched my kids a lot, changed some diapers. 

I'm not sure I can express how lucky my kids are to have all these fun uncles. 

Robert plays with them...like real play. 

He's one of the kids. 

And they LOVE him. 

Love. 

He never outgrew that love for fun and wildness...I hope he never does. 

He played many many games..duck duck goose for one.

Contessa basically considers Robert to be her's. 

He's also very patient...teaching them complicated card games

and even doing school lessons with them. 

Tori was really leary of him when he first arrived. 

But as he always does, he won her over...

With things like jumping high in the air...

And gigantic spoonfuls of pudding.

She cried bloody murder when he left that night to go back to my mom's. 

Fun with Daddy's pudding parfaits on our last night of fun. 

Because they love him so much I was not surprised when there were some tears as we dropped him off today...and I'll admit I had to shove my sunglasses a little further onto my face to hide my own tears. 

I may have quietly sobbed. 

He shouldn't live so far away...he just shouldn't. 

We did actually end up running into him again this afternoon...but that is a hitch hiking story for another time! Right Robert?! 

Thanks for loaning him to us for a couple of weeks Jen...we missed you. 

BOLT!!!

I love it that whenever she sees a Jamacian Olympic athlete she yells,

'Bolt!!' and gets all excited! 

She knows their yellow and green uniforms. 

We love the Olympics! 

Hands Down

Hands down the BEST part of my weekend. 

She NEVER does this....NEVER!

Day with Papa!

On Tuesday at about 9 am Papa Dennis asked Sully what he was doing that day...would he like to head to a Twins game with him and Aaron?

Well who would say no to that???

They left about noon and returned about 2 am!!!

These two are 3 years apart but they get along so so well. 

Aaron is really good with Sullivan and Sullivan is so lucky to have a boy 

cousin with all these sisters he lives with! 

I think Papa had his hands full but really enjoyed their time. 

Sullivan's report of the game included all the food he ate - cotton candy, dippin' dots, hot dogs....

Cute! 

Thanks for the super fun day Papa!! 

Just a few

Apparently it takes just a few books to homeschool 3 children. 

just a few...

Wait, this isnt accurate...I left out our foreign language curriculum! 

Honestly, this stack represents hours of prayer, debate and research in preparation for this school year. 

We are ready and excited!! 

(and yes...a little freaked!)