Dinner

This is how you have dinner when your husband is at work each night and you don't want to clean the kitchen.  This happened many times this summer.

Tumbling

I decided that it was time for Owen to get involved in something.  Claire started dance at his age, and I wanted him to have an activity each week that would get him some exercise, and get some of his energy out.  After talking with a friend I decided tumbling would fit him just great.  He loves tumbling.  It is his favorite day of the week.  At his tumbling gym they have a waiting area for parents which is above the kids so you can look down and watch what they are doing.  The first week was great, the kids played, I watched no big deal.  The second week was a little rougher because Grant cried the whole time.  The 3rd week was a nightmare!!  I couldn't get Grant in the car, and as clear as a bell (which is rare for him), he looked at me hit his chest, and said "I AM."  I got the picture, he wanted to take tumbling.  So I asked them how old they needed to be to start, and you guessed it Grant was old enough.  I decided to put him into a class on a Friday afternoon thinking that he wouldn't be as tired, and then Owen could go with him.  It was a much smaller class.  Owen was fine with moving, for the most part.  So off we went to tumbling.  The first day Grant did great.  He is 3 so he didn't listen as much as the other kids but he wasn't that big of a distraction.  The second week, was well not so great.  He didn't want to do anything, and finally I just had him sit by me.  The third week he cried in the car before we even got out, so I just gave up.  I wasn't going to force him to do something he clearly didn't like.  Thankfully they gave me a credit to pay for Owen's next session of tumbling, and everything worked out just fine.  Maybe we will try again next year, but we will see how he is doing.

The class from my point view.  Grant is sitting in the middle, and Owen is doing some crazy thing on the side.  I love boys!!

Family Pictures 2011

Surprise!

My good friend Jodie was having her second baby, but it had been over 7 years since her last baby, so we felt she needed a baby shower.  She didn't agree, so we threw her a surprise shower instead.  My friend Emma and I had so much fun planning it, and we were very happy with the way it all turned out.  (Sorry the pics aren't that great, not sure what is going on with my camera.)  Needless to say she was very surprised.  Claire and Cosette had a great time helping with the presents, and attending a party for the baby. 

Happy 3rd Birthday

My little Grant turned 3.  I can hardly believe how big he is getting.  He was very excited to have a Cars birthday party, since that is is favorite movie.  We just had a small family party with Chad's parents and Grant's brother and sisters.  He was thrilled to get a Batman car that belongs to him, a new book and some new church clothes.    Here are a few facts about Grant. 

*He is still going to speech and loves Mrs. Patty.  She is great for him. 

*His favorite movie is Cars 2

*He still refuses to go on the Potty.  It is driving me crazy, but hopefully he will change his mind soon.

*He gets very frustrated when we can't understand him, which unfortunately is very often.

*He loves everything his little brother loves, especially super heroes.

*He doesn't like to eat much of anything.  I think candy is his favorite.

*He loves to wrestle and has the best giggle when you tickle him.  

Grape Juice

4 years ago we planted grape vines in our backyard.  We got a few grapes each year, but this year we got plenty of grapes that I made grape juice.  This was my first attempt and I really wasn't sure what to do.  So I went out  back and picked about half the grapes, then went inside to do an Internet search.  Well, that is when I found out that you were supposed to wait until the first frost until you pick the grapes.  OOPS!  So the first batch wasn't quite as purple as the second, but it still tasted great.  It has become a family favorite.  We only have it on special occasions because there just isn't that much.  It is sacred around here.  I can't wait for next year to see if we can get even more.



Pure Cuteness!

My kids often find my camera, and it comes back with some cute pictures.  I love that the kids had a great summer playing with their friends and got to spend so much time outside.  Grant had the prettiest blond hair, and a little tan.  The other kids were brown, and tired every night.

 Owen took this picture of his friend Isaac and our neighbor Tony.+9+9

 Yes we love baths!!

 Ava loved pushing Grant around the house on his new bike.