Back to School

It's back to school time! Three in elementary and our very first MIDDLE schooler :) It's going to be an awesome year!

Puppies!!

We finally found a dog breeder! Funny story... Kyle and I were on a Friday date (strolling around the park after dinner) and came upon a man with a 1 year old lab. At first we couldn't tell what kind of dog it was because of it's red hair... I'd never seen labs that color. What struck us was how calm this dog was, just sitting quietly while other dogs ran all around. We got to chatting, and the man told us of the breeder he used, and how happy he was with his pup! So, fast forward to a bunch of internet research and phone calls with the breeder, and we have ourselves lined up our very own puppy! She will come home to us later this fall, but we took the whole gang on a 5 hour drive to visit the litter, and the kids were in utter puppy heaven. Stay tuned! I'm sure this entire blog will turn into nothing but puppy pictures very soon :)

Sleepover with cousins to break up the long trip!

Air show

Usually we watch the Oregon International Air Show from the comfort of our own front yard, however Marin won tickets this year from her middle school! She and Dad went to the actual air field and enjoyed exploring all the fun airplanes together.

Little moments

I love it when I catch them/us in the act of being adorable together! Love these little pockets of two or three enjoying each other's company.

The sun was in his eyes, so she is rubbing his head :)

Daddy daughter kayaking trip

Morning graphic novels (complete with voices!)

Buddy... do you need a hug?

Most of us LOVE reading!

Surprise morning tea party with my girls

Happy 11th birthday to Madeline

Our little sweetheart turned 11 while in Sunriver this year! We celebrated with family, went to the waterpark and had a much louder than usual round of "Happy Birthday" around the table! She chose Cocoa Pebbles for her birthday cereal (enough for ALLLLLL the cousins to share too). Once back at home, she chose a "mall day" instead of a party, and decided to make her OWN homemade cake, because she's creative like that. She even talked me into getting fondant (something I've never worked with) and copied a cake she saw on some reality food show. She is amazing!!! She is sensitive, caring, fiesty and creative. Love our baby doll!

Surprise baby stingray wrapped outside her door!

Daddy explaining her special b-day gift card

New clothes from the mall!

She worked SO hard this summer to be ready for
her 11 year vaccinations

A special bracelet to remind her of her strength.