The Crows will Like Her!

 Tessa won't be able to scare away many crows with this scarecrow outfit!  We had a great time preparing this morning for scarecrow day in kindergarten! She as all about the face painting and the hat!  It is amazing the many uses that there are for lunch bags, who knew that they could be used at faux straw, and not nearly as messy! 

Kindergarten theme days.... good stuff "ing"... 

Fall Crafts

 

It was a crafty night... Grandma Sherry, the girls and I made graham cracker treats for the kindergarten class after the fire station field trip.  It was an assembly line, there might have been a few pretzels and gum drops that did not make it onto the treats.  Tessa was the leader of the charge of creativity, not only with the fire trucks but with the pumpkins as well.  She has a knack for coming up with ideas and being able to imagine what she wants the project to look like. 

 

Tessa had a vision for her pumpkin and she made it happen.  She just needs a little time and she is artistic enough to make it happen.  Joys of fall, joys of family, joys of having days off for fall break! 

Thanks Grandma for letting us make many messes in kitchen, good times had by all!

 

 

When the Wind Comes

Each day brings choices....when you get lemons...make lemonade.  When it rains.... splash in the puddles.  Then the wind blows.... "go fly a kite!" So, in our wide open spaces of life in the country, we got out the kites, and some other "extras" like a fishing pole. We laughed until it hurt, smiled, and ended up loosing 2 kites in the process.  It was well worth it, the four of us had a joyful evening running around the yard in the company of the ones we love. 

The girls are such powerful forces of stress relieve and joy! One of the MANY joys of parenthood is the ability to let the World go, be a kid again, and take in the the simple joys in life!  Leave it the girls to encourage us to let all our cares go to the wind and let down our guard ... daily fun in the country, all we could have dreamed of!  God is so good!

School Spirit

 

The entire family enjoyed the night at the administrator "tailgate" party.  The girls put their shy on...for a short bit...then they warmed up to meeting the people that Mommy works with.  The football game was rainy so after the cookout we headed into town for First Fridays Downtown.  The stores were open late so we did some shopping, bought some hair bows, held hands, and made memories!  WE love the shirts that Kevin made for the whole family....school spirit!  The Principal's family needs school shirts, Kevin took care of us, as usual!

Go ND!

 

Ella was not overly excited about the win for Notre Dame, but she did have fun playing in the basement.  Tessa was into the game, for a short bit!  It was more enjoyable for them to eat in the basement and "play, play, play" as they say!

So Big!

Farm girls at heart! Daddy loves his girls, and he loves tractors....here you are Daddy.... all the joys!  It was fun for the girls to get in the big tractor!  They look so small, especially in the big wheel.  Ella told us she wanted to be a farmer...a girls after our own heart! 

Ice Cream

Couldn't resist taking a photo of our family fun Saturday in the basement! 

It was topped off with family movie time and cuddles! 

Up and Moving...

 

Tessa loves school....Ella has adjusted....and we love our girls! 

Tessa was so excited to take the bus to school from Lorene's.  She rides there after school, but is was a treat to go to school on the bus.  It was like she had done it many times before.  It amazes me how quickly they just learn to do things, each day is an adventure!  It was hard on Mommy and Lorene's heart to see her hop on the bus and ride into the sunrise. It was also a gentle reminder of truth behind, loving and letting them have wings.  The girls grow so quickly, they can never have too many hugs and love from us!

Kindergarten

Here she is, our kindergartener, she is so proud and excited....we are too!  We love our Tessa Bear, and know that as much as it does not seem possible, she is officially a kindergartner.  6 years old, special as can be, and ready as ever for continuing to learn.  It is a whole new experience, of joys, challenges, and her developing into her own person.  We pray for her to be true to who she is and to listen to the voices that love her!  The power of a praying parent....

Telling Granndparents that she is ready for Kindergarten!  Look at that smile!

Summer Highlights

 

This is where it is at.  While the World continues to turn each day, we aim to focus on "Our World" of family times.  The summer was full of joys, memories, and fun with the girls.  We were able to travel, play outside, cuddle daily, and continue to take in the simple joys! 

The Big Girls

 Smiles, Big Laughs, and cuttin' loose.  Regardless if you are 15 or 3.... being a girl is the best!  Especially for these four girls.  Kenzie and Kennedy are such good role models for our girls and we enjoyed our time together.  It was special to see them before the busy of the school year begins! 

Takin' it easy

 I am not sure what the best part of a relaxing evening at home is... in fact, I can't narrow it at all. I simply know that relaxation, by the pond, with the girls and Kevin... rate as my most enjoyable moments of all times.  We look forward to evening like this where there is no agenda, no to do list, and a lot of family time!  Soaking it up!

 

5 Little Girls....Who want to be Cowgirls!

 Miles and Miles of Smiles.  These 5 girls had a great time spending the evening together.  We shared smiles, laughs, energy, and fun times with our friends.  These kiddos know how to have a good time!

Summer Days Recap

What is the true measure of a fabulous summer day....

well, it is quite simple.... 

Make breakfast, taste some batter, relax with the breeze coming through the sliding door, read some books, water the flowers, play outside, smile, giggle, snuggle (repeat often), have lunch outside, play some more, fold laundry together, read books, nap, craft time, bike ride, cook dinner for Daddy, have evening fun, get dirty in the yard, top it off with a bubble bath....be so tired that they can't make it through story time.....Life is Good.....WITH THE GIRLS! .... all in the quiet comforts of the country!

Island Excitement!

 It was an unforgettable time at Mackinac Island.  There is such an special feel on the island, it almost like a trip into the past.  The mood is calm and the scenery is beautiful!  It was tough to decided what to do while we were there!  The ferry ride was a great start to the adventures. One of my favorite aspects of the island is that there are no cars, so we opted to rent bikes and tour around the island. The girls were troopers considering all the places we rode. 

We enjoyed the delicious and "fancy" as the girls called it....lunch at The Grand Hotel.  I appreciated the style in the hotel that captures the feel of times gone by. From the outfits of the staff, the decorating, and details, it was like a journey back in time.  Tessa and Ella loved drinking from their tea cups. They both rose to the occasion and were little ladies!

We were fortunate to find a nice quiet park by the water and we all took a nap, the girls took a longer nap and this was the fuel they needed for the afternoon times!  Kevin chauffeured us on a tour by renting a self-driven buggy. Our horse was named June and moved at her own speed, it was relaxing and fun for all of us.  It was island enjoyment sprinkled with laughs, smiles, giggles, hugs, and many family memories!