HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT (GREAT) AUNT RUTHIE!!!

We all got together to celebrate 

Aunt Ruth turning 100!

(yes, it's quite the feat!)

It's not too often you can celebrate 

such a milestone! 

We love you Aunt Ruthie

6 months old!

Little Lydi,

is gettin' bigger!!!!

Here's a little backyard photo session 

mommy had fun doing one afternoon last week.

End of summer - as we know it :(

Back to school...tomorrow!

But first, here are some end-of summer swim lesson pics to share

Hannah and Carter paired up the last week of lessons

and had some semi-private instruction from Ms. Alysssa

(Elijah came along for moral support :)

 

 He had a crush of his own on,

his swim teacher from an earlier session, 

Ms. Carly :)

Here is what the kids have to say about the last day

before the pool closed for the summer...

Next chapter - SCHOOL!

Bluemound State Park

We just got back yesterday from one last camping hurrah of the summer

 with our good friends, the Selles.

It was a beautiful weekend of weather

to spend in the great outdoors - 

Here we are, setting up camp.

The big excitement was definitely camping with friends,

and friends nonetheless that brought a camper!

I must admit, mommy is warming up to the idea!

Here are some fun pics from the hiking action of the weekend.

Hannah quickly fell in love with the older girls -

and then there's E-man, who wants in on the fun, always :)

Hiking was probably our biggest hit (= least amount of attitude/fits) 

of all activities of our weekend.

well, including the transportation to/from some of the hiking...

We also checked out a few observation towers -

There isn't a better way to sum up this post,

then the smile-winner, Brant

 

THANKS SELLES!

Hope to do it again next year!!!

Spontaneous Park Picnic!

Last Monday we found ourselves 

joining up with good friends

for a little spontaneous park picnic action.

The boys have really started to isolate themselves

to a "boys only" group (at times)...

so found themselves a nice "cozy" spot

in the middle of the sidewalk?.

While the girls worked hard at "not minding"

the rejection from their brothers/friends.

Even Lydia got in on the fun this day...

which ended up being a "neutral zone" for all, 

boys and girls alike, 

 and great photo ops for mommy!