August Days

We visited the State Fair again this year. Graydon found a way to cool off while waiting in line for ice cream.


Bella and I split this chocolate peanut butter cup funnel cake. I didn't think we'd be able to eat all of it. Not only did we eat the whole thing, it only took us a few minutes to do it. That cake was soooo good.


It looks like we have pretty strong kids.












Curtis came home from school one day and he took a nap. This is not like him. He had been sniffling and sneezing and it turned out that he caught a pretty bad cold that just wiped all of his energy.


It happened just in time to head up to Wisconsin for Kristen's wedding. We drove up to Wisconsin the Thursday evening before the wedding. We didn't get in until late and pretty much went to bed after arriving. Friday was filled with getting our nails done and the rehearsal. And then finally it was the big day!

Here is Bella getting her hair done.


All dressed up and ready for a wedding! Bella was a junior bridesmaid. She has graduated from her flower girl days.


The bride and groom see each other for the first time that day.


Big family photo!


Everything was outside, so there was a lot of places to play and explore.


Our cuties!


Since we were all dressed up, I couldn't resist.


Who needs a park when there is as big log.


On the morning of the wedding, I woke up with a sore throat. The next day, I was completely stuffed up and exhausted. I'm thankful that the only plan that day was to relax. But first, we went out to breakfast.


The rest of the day, we all hung out at my parents' house and ate leftovers from the day before. I'm so glad that we planned to take Monday off from school and work, because this day together was so nice.

Driving back to Indiana. We were all worn out from the busy weekend.


Graydon has become quite the ham for the camera.




It was my birthday a couple of days after we returned from WI. I turned 39! I got a nice birthday hug from Bella. This was just after we returned from our family dinner at Joe Willy's. Andy also surprised me with a Starbucks drink at school.


Cake time! Andy made an ice cream cake and we all dug in!


I also got these beautiful flowers!


I wish it could be my birthday every day!

A yellow "C"! Perfect for our yellow-loving Curtis.


The "Cs" actually stand for Columbus. But it would have been pretty cool if this was a "G".


Bella's volleyball season has begun! I'm a little off my game. I usually bring my nice camera to the first game. I completely forgot to do that. But I got a couple snaps of her playing. I'll try to do better as the season goes on.




We spent the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at the lake at the invitation of the couple who lead our community children's choir. It felt like a fall day, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the water.










We've got a few weeks of school under our belt and my classes for my Masters program begin on Tuesday. Life is about to become a whole new level of busy with working full time and taking two classes. Just two more semesters left! Can't wait until April 2020!!!

Back to school!

School started on Tuesday, August 6th.

We now have an 8th grader.


A 5th grader.


And a 4th grader.


Summer always goes by so fast. It was truly hard to believe that we were already at this point.


And this wasn't just the kids' first day of school, it was mine too! This was my first official day as an elementary school counselor.


At the end of the school day, the kids hang out in my office and play with my toys while I finish up some work.


They are so silly!


This is my office! I had a lot of fun dreaming up what this space would look like. I wanted to give a feeling of home at school. The students are responding really well to this space, which makes my heart happy.






This photo was actually taken before school started. The kids had to come to school with me while I set things up. Graydon was even in his pajamas!


This is the office within my office. I've had lunch groups in here (I often add another table for that) and occasionally meet with students individually in here if they prefer to sit in my comfy corner chair.


This corner is still a work in progress, but I have added a couple more pillows since this photo was taken.


Andy came in for a quick visit on my first day and snapped this photo.


That Friday evening at the end of our first week, Bella and I went grocery shopping. But first. . . we had dinner at Qdoba. We meant to eat there when the boys were at camp, but never got around to it. Just looking at that burrito makes me want one right now!




That Saturday night, Curtis wanted a backyard fire so that we could make s'mores. Andy wasn't home, but I figured that I could get a fire started. I must have tried for about 30 minutes. I even got some lighter fluid out. I just couldn't keep this fire lit. Eventually, I came to the end of my stack of scrap paper and told the kids to quick put a marshmallow at the end of their stick and cook it over the burning paper. No fire building merit badge for me!


That Sunday, I subbed in for the boys' Sunday school class. Our lesson was on Joseph and they all made colorful coats.