Four Jingle Bells

 I love having my kids home with me during the summer.  It was kind of hard to send them off, but it sure made things easier around the house to only have to worry about 3 kids in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.  William got on a great schedule and Brooke started acting nicer.  William is in a Runnin' Rebels outfit that my sister Sarah gave him so "we would remember where we came from".  Like we could ever forget!!  Hailey going on the bus.  I drove her the first few days and then she was ready to take the bus.  She has an assigned seat with a cute girl.  The kids entertaining William  William on his first walk  Wiliam sitting in the bumbo!  This makes things so much easier during cooking dinner time. Spencer and his John Deere obsession continues!  He got this puzzle from the library and did it so many different times.  He alternates between two Deere puzzles.  He told me today, "I am ...

 The kid's performance for their summer class was on Hailey's first day of school. Needless to say, that was an exhausting day for everyone!  But we were so glad that everything went awesome.  Brooke was a good sport and hung out. She was too young to be in any classes, but maybe next year.  Barb and Daryll came too.  Spencer's performance was about animals in the zoo.  He was a total crack up!  He was very exuberant and I was so proud of him and how cute he was.  Spencer is in the black shirt in the back left corner.  Hailey's performance was a song/dance routine of "I won't grow up" from Peter Pan.  We had been through the rounds with her because she has stage fright, but she put on a brave face and did the whole thing.  It was so great to see both of the kids performing and being so brave!  Hailey is in the middle. Hailey's headdress for the play.  They got certificates for their work and were so happy wi...

 Hailey on her first day of second grade.  I wish she would let me do her hair!  She was pretty nervous about going even though she had been the last two months last year.  Her teacher is Ms. Rasmussen and young and fun teacher!  I love these wild children!  Gorgeous first day of school!  We made some m&m sugar cookies that were so yummy.  It's our first day of school tradition for the kid's still at home.  They love it.  Spencer counting out 3 m&m's each cookie (and eating some!)  William looking very interested in people food!  Brooke helping with the m&m's too.  Cooking with kids is pretty fun and messy! Hailey after school.  She had a great day.  This school system is so amazing.  It is a fresh of breath air!

 Someone wanted to take a picture of me. Yes, I exist!!  Spencer woke up one morning and said he wanted to take the training wheels off of his bike and I said YES!!  We tried out on the grass first and he got it down pretty well and then went onto the road. He did really well until he had a major face plant.  Then, he was totally freaked out and now wants the training wheels back on his bike! I said, no way.  So, we have been working still and he can do pretty well. So proud of Spencer!

We had a birthday get together for our neighbor, Barb.  She was there for us in a crazy time of our life.  She has been supportive and friendly and loves our kids.  She takes them on walks sometimes and we are always welcome over to her house.  She loves them and will get after them too.  When William was small, it was so nice to have someone to chat with out here in the country.  She is not a fancy or needy woman.  We wanted to do something special for her since her kids aren't around and she loves a good ol' meat and potatos meal. I was so proud of how my rolls turned out! Barb is a wonderful gardener.  Her yard always looks wonderful and she has taught the kids (and me) all about gardening and what is and isn't a weed.  And she doesn't bug us if our grass is behind on mowing.  We got her a kneeling pad for gardening because she is always out on her knees gardening and would never buy something like that for herself!  ...

 In our little town, there is a big event called Tug Fest where they do a giant tug of war across the river with Illinois.  It is just the funnies thing I have ever heard of! The Friday before, there is a parade and fireworks.  We went with our neighbors.  William passed out.  Just like a man, he can fall asleep anywhere!  Brooke snuggling Blake  Spencer and his fire truck obsession.  He was so excited over every police car, truck, and anything loud.  The candy was also awesome.  Brooke was pretty excited about the pink cement mixer  Yes!!!  A happy shot of all four.  It is nearly impossible to get my kids to smile and look at the camera at the same time.   Waiting for the fireworks.  For two hours!  We had to wait on a corner and found out later there was a giant grassy field a few blocks down.  I felt a little better since this was our first time going. Next year, we'...

 "The Bells" mwa ha ha  Hailey and Spencer took a summer performing class.  While Hailey was in her class, we hung out outside and the kids ran wild on the gigantic lawn.    We had free bowling all summer.  Once I finally got the umph to get out there with all four kids, it was almost the end of summer.  The kids kept acting up and getting the bowling privilege taken away.  Finally, the got to go bowling!  We went and got McDonalds after their performing class and when we got to the bowling alley, we found out we weren't allowed to take food inside.  So, we ate outside the doors and got some strange looks. Not sure if they were strange looks because of eating outside the doors or that I have four kids!  What is it about bowling that makes people so happy? It is such a funny sport!  We played two games and the kids were such good sports. I don't think we got home till 9, which is late fo...

 Recently, I have been a bit "peoplesick", not homesick really because I for sure, love living here!  But more missing my family and friends we have known for years. I think it's the holidays coming.  Don't get me wrong, we have met some wonderful people out here and love them already, but you must know how it is to move to a new place. That being said, we went on a wonderful Sunday walk a few months back.  Out here, the lily pads just explode! It's amazing.  We went right across the river to Illinois and enjoyed them one Sunday.  Spencer's hat fell in the river and Blake was a great dad and rescued it. Yes, it was thoroughly washed.  Spencer is a hat man and can't live without them!  Times like this, I wish I had a super awesome camera to really capture the beauty of this place!  We love our Iowa baby!!  This path reminded me of the picture I see in my mind when I read the poem, "The Road not Ta...