The Woods

Every year we go to the mountains with my side of the family and it's always a load of fun. So much to do for the kids and so much relaxing to be done with the parents.

This year acorn picking was a huge hit!!! With the kids and the squirrels. The pile was so big the squirrels thought they hit the jack pot.

The Stoner Cousins

Another "Pass Time" activity was making parachutes and paper airplane to toss off the balcony railing while us adults got plummeted with the air crafts.

It was cool enough weather to be warmed by the fire.

And roasted wieners were on the menu

Can't forget this pumpkin!!

As you can tell we are out growing this cabin. Bre and Trey shared the top bunk which they didn't complain about but it won't be long before they are kicking each other in the face.

The Grandparents and Grandchildren

Just us!

School Days

We'll the time has come! I now have two of....all of....my children in school now. Granted Bre is only in preschool but it's still time away from mommy two days a week.

Trey is now in 1st grade and loving it as much as kindergarten.

Since Bre doesn't go to preschool all day she is desperately lonely for someone to play with. So she literally follows me around ALL DAY and wants to help with everything. Which is great, but so boring in my eyes.
We've done a lot of baking, cooking and canning since school started.
But clean up is her favorite. She begs to wash the dishes and it usually means a sloppy, wet cleanup for me afterwards. But how do you say "no" to a request to do dishes???

Vacations Over!

Reality hits pretty hard the day after vacation. It's back to the regular grind. No more sipping coffee slowly while the morning creeps by. No more laying in the sun under an umbrella with a good book in my hands, no more boardwalk fries, or ice cream or donuts!! Uhhh, I'm feeling bloated all of a sudden.. Anyhoooo.... Now we must....
Mow lawn.

Arlan taught Trey how to drive the mower this summer and what a scary spectator sport this has become. I cringe with every tight turn he makes. But he does it by golly, he does it and without a single scratch.Checking his rows like daddy taught him. Next step.......the corn fields.

Then there's the eggs. Lots and lots of eggs. The kids are getting better at actually "working" this year. But don't get me wrong...every once and a while I'll walk in on Trey taking the equipment apart with his handy dandy screwdriver and Bre walking on the conveyor belt like its my treadmill.

But the cracked eggs must be caught.

And flats must be stacked!

We also got a haircut this summer.. Look closely, can you see it?????

It's a Mohawk!! Inspired by his cousin Grey! Trey and Grey so much alike!!

Summer Days Have Come and Gone!

We always end our summer vacation with a trip to the beach. And what a wonderful week it was! My parents came down for a few days and it was even more relaxing for Arlan and I since they keep the kids entertained from sun up till sun down!!Every day on the beach grandpa built a massive castle for the kids to help with and then wreck at the end of the day.The kids really got into riding the waves this year too.

When I was little my family went to Rehoboth and always spent an evening at the sports complex. So this year they took our kids. We picked a good night because we had the place all to ourselves.

But the pool.......the pool was the hot spot this year! Bre could not get enough of it. She swam, she jumped, she dove for toys, she repeatedly wanted Arlan to throw her in so she could do flips.

And the mini golfing. Sometimes I wonder why we pay to go considering our scores are in the low hundreds but it's all about "quality family time" right?

Summer....we love you. You will be missed!

Up, Up We Go!!

The kids and I were invited to the mountains this weekend by my aunt and my great friend and cousin Kara. It was the most relaxing and refreshing time away so far this summer. The kids were in heaven!!

There was a small creek behind the cabin which we visited every morning and it brought hours our imaginative play for Trey, Bre and Maddie. I was completely amazed at how well they all played together, worked as a team and made each other laugh. Such treasured moments!

Bre was in her adventurous and exploratory mode. She would wonder up stream on her own until I'd yell for her to come back. She just "needed" to see where the stream lead.

We also headed out to the "big" creek every afternoon for some water fun!!

And the highlight of every day was aunt Kara's chauffeured four wheeler rides around the property. (I'm pretty sure by day three Kara was rolling her eyes at each request.)

Maddie loved to read to the kids. (even when one of them was easily distracted)

We watched movies!

Roasted Marshmallows

It was a fantastic time. Thanks so much Aunt Sheryl and Kara for letting us join you at the lodge. We loved every minute of laughing, chit chatting and exploring!!

Oh, this is Spikey. Spikey was adopted by Trey into our family at the cabin and came home with us. He was a fun and accommodating member. I say "was" because, well, lets just say Spikey got a little too much sun exposure while we were in McDonald's chowing down our supper and he was waiting in the car. You had a good life little guy!