Warm Weather

We've had the nicest stretch of summer weather since the kids have been back in school, of course!

We got to take advantage of it this week one day when they had early release. We visited Gov. Dodge state park, about 1/2 hour from us. The lake was practically empty, and we got to enjoy swimming for what has to be the last time this summer!

This is a different day, different lake. We went out on a friend's boat on Mendota. For those of you who know Ted's dislike of lakes, this is TRUE LOVE. SWIMMING in the lake because Anna asked him to!

Then, there was the tubing. Daddy got that honor too. On the other tube is Luke (you've heard of him --one of Anna's "dudes" from preschool, and a likely candidate for an arranged marriage)

Here were the tubers of the day. HOURS of it. By the end, very tired arms and headaches from flying OFF the tube several times!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

We love you Mom! What a blessing it is to share so much of our lives with you. xoxoxo!

Last day of summer...first day of school

We enjoyed our last day of summer by doing fun stuff outside.

The younger guys played on the swingset

Anna hung in the 'hood and talked about very important matters

and the older guys were on the swingset too! Ahhhh, summer. I'm so sad it's over!

Onto school!

First morning at the bus stop. Doesn't Anna looked pleased? She was actually the most excited of the three for school to start. She woke up on the first morning and said, "yesssss, First Grade!" But right before I took the picture, I told them to look like they loved each other, so Will gave her a sloppy kiss and Kaleb strangled her with his hug. Joy.

Here's our traditional first-morning-bus-stop-breakfast. In our little neighorhood (20 houses) we've got 35 kids, 26 of them school-age. We were missing some in this shot.

And what have I been up to, you ask? I've started my new part time job!! And I'm thinking it's quite possibly the PERFECT part time job. I'm a Josten's girl! I go to 30 area high schools after the sales pitch, and collect orders for class rings and graduation caps/gowns/invites, etc. and then also deliver them. It's always during the school's lunch hours, 2-3 times a week. Yup. Perf. Not to brag, but I've got mad skills delivering rings (that's all I've done so far). I'll let you know how the other stuff goes....