Take me to the AL National Fair! All my friends go!

 

This is what we have heard for a couple of years from Tyler.  This year we decided to give it a try on Family Faith night which was a Thursday. We did not get out to the fair until 6:30pm so we were glad that the girls did not have school on Friday and Tyler was going on a field trip!  It was the perfect night.  The crowds were minimal and continued to decrease as it got later.  The kids enjoyed the rides, animals, and food.  We closed the rides down at 11 pm.  Time to get home, baths and bed!

 

Fall has arrived!

We are enjoying the cool fall mornings here in Montgomery this week.  It has actually been getting down to the low 60s.  Wow!  The cooler weather makes entertaining in the car (at carpool and after school activities) so much more relaxing!  

Lauren's class went to the zoo on Wednesday to see the animals while they studied the letter A.  It was a great trip on a beautiful day with gentle breezes.  The kids had a great time.  Oh, no.  They gave them ice cream at the snack shop!  My kids did not realize that you could get ice cream at the zoo!  That could be a problem in the future!!!

 

John Mark is having to work a lot lately, but we are finding ways to get away!  He was off last Sunday, so we borrowed a boat from a nurse at the hospital and went to the lake for the day.  We had a great time.  The kids loved getting to ride in the boat and swim beside it in the middle of the lake.  We had a wonderful day together, but got home VERY late for a school night!

 

A week of parties and fun!

Lauren's class had a pajama party with popcorn, pizza, pretzels, pudding, pineapple.  They watched the movie Peter Pan.  Even the teachers wore pink polka-dot pajamas with pig slippers.  I bet you will never guess what letter they were learning this week!  They kids all had a great time.  It was quite strange to drop your child off at school in their pajamas carrying a pillow! (For all the family reading this blog, Thomas Treadwell is in the 2nd pic.  He is 2 over from Lauren.)

Corynne (and grades 1-6) have been preparing all week for the ultimate field day.  Friday was Olympic Field Day at ECS.  All the kids are divided into teams and given names from history like the Athenians, Titans, Trogans, etc.  They compete as teams to accumulate points for the ultimate prize-1st place.  My favorite award each year is the sportsmanship award.  It is great to see every team cheering for themselves and THEIR OPPONENTS in hopes of winning this award.  Corynne's team, the Titans, places 2nd in the competition.  They also tied with the Trogans for the Sportsmanship award!  Yeah, Titans and Trogans!

Weekend Fun

John Mark was off this weekend.  Of course, we had a list of places to be and things to do but this weekend in all its business was relaxing and fun.  We started off the weekend with the girls having friends over after school to watch the new Barbie movie and play.  We included a cookie cake to celebrate Lyndsey's birthday with friends!  The girls had a lot of fun.  

On Saturday morning, Tyler played in a novice tennis tournament here in Montgomery for a little extra practice.  He played very good.  He was excited to place 2nd in the Intermediate Division.  

 

John Mark helped me do a little fall decorating on Saturday night.  He really has got the kitchen decorating for fall and Christmas down pretty good!  He can do it in record time now! 

Oh, John Mark also observed Lyndsey "decorating" her face.  Lynsdey fell off the couch with a clean eye landing right into the corner of the coffee table.  Oh that will be pretty on Sunday morning...and Monday...and Tuesday...beauty just gets better with time!

 

We wrapped up the weekend with a church class family swim party.  Hot dogs and s'mores are always a recipe for success at our house!

Time for another week of school!  We are looking forward to another weekend of fun!!!

Happy Birthday Lyndsey!

 
 
Lyndsey celebrated her 2nd birthday today.  It is hard to believe that she has been with us for 2 years.  Time is flying by way to fast!  She started out the morning with a 2 year checkup (and a shot).  Just as we expected, she is a tall and lean 2 year old hyper machine!  Dad cut away from the hospital long enough for dinner, cake and presents this evening.  Lyndsey loved blowing out the candles.  We did it a few times!  She also enjoyed opening presents.  "All Mine"  was her theme for the night!

Back to School

 
Yes, we have already started back.  It rolls around faster and faster each year.  Tyler started 5th grade at Trinity this year.  He is excited to be rotating classes.  He said it makes the day go by much faster since there is no recess to look forward to!  Corynne is in 3rd grade at Eastwood Christian school.  She just loves school, and she is adjusting to her best friends being in the other 3rd grade classroom.  Lauren started Kindergarden at Eastwood this year.  She is having so much fun!  Lyndsey and I are enjoying our time at home in the mornings.  Lyndsey will turn two in a few weeks, and she is reaching milestone everyday.  

Summer Update

I know it has been a long time.  We had a wonderful summer.  It was just to short.  We went to Orange Beach, Al the first weekend of the month.  We always have a blast down there.  The kids enjoyed everything from crab hunting to go-carts.  There was little time to rest and relax, but snow cones at LuLu's slowed down the pace!

   

We returned home in time to celebrate our 13th anniversary with a night on the town.  Ms. Jan from JM's office watched the kids into the night for us.  The kids love it when she comes.  They say she is their favorite babysitter!  John Mark and I enjoyed dinner and just talking over coffee at Starbuck's in peace!

Grammy & Papa came down for our last weekend of summer.  We took them out to the lake to enjoy our peaceful retreat with us.  They enjoyed getting to see the kids in the water and just playing around.  JM even took everyone to the archery range one afternoon for some bow and arrow fun.  Top everything with smores and it was a weekend to remember!!! 

John Mark caught our first catfish on the lake.  It helps when the neighbor is feeding them everyday!  He was so excited.  Corynne ran down to see up close and touch!