September

What a great month for us...jam packed full of fun!  The first weekend in September Joseph and Kimball took a trip to Philadelphia so I tried to do some fun things with everyone who stayed home.  One day we went miniature golfing.  Thankfully the three little ones were free so it made it worth the 30 minutes we were there.  I tried to drag out the outing but the kids just raced through the course. They had fun though hitting their balls wherever they wanted.  We were the only ones on the course so we could go as fast or slow as we wanted. 

We all had to pose with the large bear for a picture.

Kimball and Joseph had a great time in Philadelphia.  Originally, Joseph and I talked about taking the entire family, but I just knew it would be better for everyone if Joseph and Kimball went alone.  They hit the highlights of the city:

When Joseph and I went to Philadelphia 11 years ago I loved the US Mint.  

Kimball wasn't as impressed.

They went to a Phillies game.  I don't remember who they played or if they won the game, but I do remember that it was a slow game and a little boring so they didn't even stay for the entire game.

On Saturday they walked around the city and visited the Liberty Bell.

Independence Hall

The highlight of the trip for Kimball was...riding the subway.  It was his first experience with public transportation and he loved it.

School always starts the Wednesday after Labor Day.  One of the reasons we start so late is the NY State Fair doesn't end until Labor Day so we start two days later to give the city time to return to normal.

This year Kimball is in 6th grade and Rebecah in 3rd.

Lincoln and Annika are in UPK (Universal Pre-Kindergarten).  It is a 5 day preschool program for 2 1/2 hours. It is free and near our house.  They had a few rough days toward the beginning of the year, but have settled in nicely to this new routine.  Once they are 4 they will start riding the bus in the morning with Rebecah and then come home on the bus before lunch.  Sadly, they are in different classes, but the school wouldn't honor my request to have them in the same class.

Fall is finally here and we love the cooler weather!! We went on a few family hiking adventures:

Tinker Falls

I think Lincoln, Eden and Kimball look sweet posing together in the first picture.

At this waterfall the trail goes behind the waterfall and then you climb to the top of the fall.  It is neat, but a little slippery and scary with 3 little ones!  We took a different route down that was much safer.

This is at the top of the falls.

Pratts Falls and Archery Range

Another weekend we went to another short waterfall.  Both of our hikes were short so little legs wouldn't get too tired. 

After we hiked we all went to the archery range so Joseph and Kimball could practice archery at the targets the park has set up.  When the little ones found out Joseph and Kimball would be shooting arrows everyone needed to have a turn. The little ones were so happy to be included.  They were standing about 4 feet from the targets so they could meet with success.  I even took a turn, but I wasn't very good.  I haven't used a bow since we had the archery unit in gym class when I was in 7th grade...at least 25 years ago! 

We had an interfaith service project after church one Sunday.  We join with a local Lutheran church each year to collect school supplies for local schools, make fleece blankets for shelters and the homeless and this year we added plastic bag mats for the homeless as well.  Kimball and his friend enjoyed weaving a mat all by themselves.  It's a great opportunity to work with people from another Faith.

One of my good friends had a baby a few weeks ago.  Edie was SO excited to get to hold Baby Jude.  Edie loves babies and will be a wonderful mother someday.  I think Edie misses having her older siblings at home.  She is always excited to pick up "Buddy and Annika."

Enjoying cooler weather!

Lincoln hopes to play the violin and the cello someday.  

Right now he uses the violin and plays it like a cello. 

Other things from September:

I was released from the Relief Society Presidency where I had served for 4 years.  I really miss working closely with the ladies at church.

We attended Open House at the Elementary School and Middle School as well as the Elementary Back to School BBQ.  Joseph was working and missed out on the BBQ.  It was my 6th Back to School bbq--only 8 more to go! 

Awesome August

I didn't think our month had been so busy until I started going through my pictures.  It was another month of summer fun.  Speaking of Summer.  It has been one hot, humid Summer here in NY.  It has been our hottest summer since moving here.  I know most of you will roll your eyes reading this, but we usually only run our air conditioning a few times a week during the summer, but this summer we have had to run it more than we haven't.  I'm ready for Fall and the cooler temperatures.  

 At the beginning of the month Kimball had braces put in place.  He wasn't super excited about it and complained about his mouth hurting the first few days.  The plan is that he'll have braces for 24 months and then have them come off just before he enters 8th grade.

Rebecah and our baby sitter friend had one last hurrah going out for ice cream.

Edie has decided that when I bend down to take her picture that she needs to bend down, too.  You'll notice her new pose in many of these pictures!

Enjoying a nice day outside.

I celebrated the 17th anniversary of when I went to the temple for the first time.  The temple really is a great place and I'm so glad we only live an hour from a temple instead of the 3+ hours it used to be.

After the temple I met my family at our ministering brother's house so we could go swimming.  Their pool is octagonal and that was fun.  Joseph got a nice little whirl pool going.  It was a cool day, only about 73, so after the kids finished swimming our hostess served cookies and hot chocolate.  The kids loved it!

The girls and I decided to coordinate our dresses one Sunday and we all wore navy blue.  I love to match with  my girls.  The picture is a tad out of focus, but my camera man is still learning!

Joseph and the big kids enjoyed the box seats at a baseball game.  Joseph got tickets from work and the kids enjoyed the free food and the nice seating.

Edie loves oatmeal.  Don't even suggest to my kids that they eat the instant stuff.  I made the mistake of serving it as something special when we were on vacation and they all refused to eat it.  Just give them the real stuff that doesn't taste processed!  Edie also loves to call Lincoln "Buddy".  She refers to him more often than not as Buddy and only occasionally as Lincoln.  It's now "Buddy and Annika"!  I love it.

A man in our church congregation is a professional clown and magician.  He is also the 11 year old Scout leader so we invited him over for dinner so he and Kimball can get to know each other since Kimball turned 11 this month.  The kids were SO excited about the balloon creations David made for them.  He also gave them each a goody bag filled with little games and party favors.  David was probably glad to return to his quiet home after spending the evening with us!!  We are rarely quiet.

Balloon creations:  bear holding a heart, parasol, bow and arrow, dog on a leash, cork screw, etc.

We decided to take the kids to the beach.  I'm not a beach/sand person at all.  I managed to stay sane though and didn't get my feet wet so I didn't feel all sandy.  We went to Green Lakes State Park.  It is called green for a reason.  I don't remember the scientific reason behind the green of the water, but it's because the lake is so deep and clear that the water layers don't mix...ever.  Some parts of the lake were close to 200 feet deep.  Obviously we couldn't swim in those areas.  There is a 2 mile trail around the lake so while the kids played I went on a walk.  It was perfect walking weather...about 73...but a little cool for swimming.  I loved it though.  The walk was just what I needed!

Kimball turned 11 this year!  He is growing up so quickly.  He wanted cranberry white chocolate scones for breakfast.  He had a lemonade pie for dessert.  He was pleased with his birthday and that is always a relief.

The day after Kimball's birthday Joseph took Kimball and his friend Ryan to Get Air an indoor trampoline park.  They had a lot of fun.  

We ended the month at the State Fair.  It was a warmer day than we would have liked, but cloud cover kept us from being miserable.  Joseph took the big kids a second day to the fair to enjoy some rides.  

Kimball had a little hair envy when he saw these birds.  Kimball would love a huge fro!  

 Baby guinea pigs!