We are finally having a few days without rain. So far since January we have had 7 sunny days. So we try to take advantage of the days when it is sunny and do something outside.
This week was the week for field trips. Zach went to Fort Pitt and Isabella took and walking tour of Zelie. She even got to eat at a local restaurant for lunch. Josh and I went with his play group on a field trip to the local dairy. The highlight was feeding the calves. Josh was a little upset when we first got there. He thought when I said that we were going to see the cows that that meant that we were going to Grandpa Winters' house. His first thoughts when we got out of the car were " This isn't grandpa's. I want to see grandpa's cows." I felt so bad. Poor guy.

Here is Josh feeding the calf. He loved this calf. I think because it was the cleanest.

Here are some snap shots of the kids playing at the park. It was so muddy but the kids had fun.

Sliding down the slide. Josh was a bit nervous at first since it was such a tall slide, but after awhile he really got into going down by himself.

Read for the Record

Josh and I went to the Read for the Record event at a park here. Every year people organize events all over the world to try and break the record for having the most people at the same time reading the same book. This year the book was The Hungry Caterpillar. Josh was excited to go.
Meeting Hugo the Hornets mascot was the highlight of the day for Josh. It was the only thing he would go to. He loved getting free tattoo's and magnets. I tried to convince him that the other booths were giving out free stuff too but he didn't want to go to them.

Curious George helped read the book to everyone at the park

Here is a picture of Josh listening to the story. We had changes to take pictures with Curious George and Hugo but Josh just kept saying he was to scared. He loved watching them though.

In the Car ready to go. It was so much fun to be able to go. The only bad thing was it was like 93 degrees. It was so hot. I can not believe it is that hot in October. In other news Zach won his soccer game this week by two points he even scored a goal. I wish I had been there. I was with Bella and Josh at Nutcracker practice. Isabella is also feeling better Yay:)

What's Been Going on!

Well Josh was finally able to use his money from both grandparents. He bought a Thomas the Train set and of course a dragon. He has loved playing with them. He has a hard time keeping Isabella from joining in a teasing him by telling him how to play. That girl! Thank you grandma's and grandpa's.
The dragon and the train set.

September 14 Zach got braces so cute. His mouth is a little sore but he is doing great.

September 14 was also my birthday. Matt sent me some beautiful flowers. They totally made my day, since I had had such a busy day.

Saints had their first game of the regular season. Zach and Josh were more into playing football with each other than watching the game. Isabella doesn't want her own shirt. She just isn't into football.

Zach had is first soccer game. He played great. His team didn't have any subs. So he got very tired. This was the only picture that turned out. Hopefully we don't get any more rain on Saturday so he can have his game. Last week it was canceled because of all the rain.

Josh Turns 3!

I can't believe that my baby is 3 now. It went by way to fast. Josh decided to have a Dinosaur birthday. Isabella helped decorate while Josh took a nap. He was so surprised when he woke up. IT was too cute. We even made him so Dinosaur jigglers.

Josh opening his presents. He loved everything.




Josh's cake. Underneath all that chocolate frosting is a pink cake. That is what Josh wanted. He was very insistent.

Josh opening Grammy and Grandpa Gardner's letter. He was so excited to get a 'credit card.'

Josh reading the book that Grandma and Grandpa Winters gave him. He also loved getting money. Isabella really wanted the money. She spent all morning trying to get him to give it to her. Silly girl.

The kids all had a better week at school this week so that was great. Matt was off shore this week also. The kids sure miss him when he is gone. We are glad that he made it back safely.

1st Day of School

Wow! Where has summer gone? It seems like we were just starting to enjoy summer and then school started. We are not enjoying starting before Labor Day, but we are trying to stay positive and remember that we will be done with school in May.

After Josh and I took the kids to school today we went to Barnes and Noble to look at books. Josh got a dragon book. He loves it. I think we read it at least 20 times today. I was able to find a book for Matt. They also do story time there on Tuesday. Josh will have fun going to that. He really enjoyed it in Pinedale.

Here is Zach our 4th grader. I can't believe he is in Middle School this year. I am feeling really old. He did really good at school today. I was really worried that he might not want to stay with out me but he did great. He was even able to hang out with a friend from soccer camp so that was nice.

Our 'sweet' little 2nd grader. She enjoyed school also and made a friend who even bought her a treat at snack time. She also rode the bus home. I was a little worried because it is an hour long ride. She enjoyed it though and is looking forward. To bad Zach won't. We had to wait in the car lone for about 30 minutes. It was crazy. Josh and I left early to get in the line fifteen minutes early. Not early enough though there was already and long line. It took even longer to get home because there was an accident and we had to wait for them to clean it up. It was nice to know the kids like their schools.

Happy Anniversary Matt! Can't believe it has been 11 years. It has gone by so fast. Love you.

Weeding and Sliding

This week we have been doing lots of weeding of the flower beds and the walk ways. Here is Isabella going down the slide 'one' more time before starting to weed.

Zach put on his sweat bands to get ready to weed. It must have worked because he filled up his bag with weeds in less than 10 minutes.

Josh did lots of sliding and throwing sand at Zach and Bella while we were working. The wonderful thing after weeding is getting to go swimming afterwards. It is so nice. Plus the weather was really nice this week. The high was only 92 degrees so that was nice.

Sir Josh

Josh has become a knight again. He loves to ride his stick horse and go looking for a dragon to fight. He has a toy dragon that he gets first, and then he is off to fight more exciting dragons. The exciting dragons are called Bella and Zach. The house gets pretty noisy. Josh is so cute though when he is riding through the house.

Zach this week was able to go see Harry Potter with his dad. Josh was pretty sad that he didn't get to go, but we thought it would be to long for him. We also spent lots of time swimming and trying to find a doctor, dentist, and sign Bella up for dance. No luck yet we are still waiting for them to call back. We will probably try calling again on Monday. Hopefully we have better luck.

Primary Activity Day

Bella cooling off at the water park.

Zach enjoyed playing with friends throwing a water ball at each other.

Josh wasn't sure about the water at first but then he really got into it.

Today we went to a Primary Activity. We went to the park and played in the water and on the cool playground. It was pretty hot but the kids still had tons of fun. They also enjoyed the freeze pops. The water felt nice and helped keep everyone cool. This week Josh also got his first bee sting. I was weeding and Josh was cooling his feet in the pool and when he went to stand up his hand landed on a bee and stung him. Poor thing.

Fun in the Sun

We have really been enjoying the pool. The weather has been very humid and hot so it has been nice to cool off in the pool. The kids love to jump in and retrieve the diving rings and sticks. Zach is getting really good at it.

Zach was often the shark that would chase the mermaids Morgan, and Elise.

Josh likes to throw the diving rings and watch while Zach and Bella swim under water to get it.

Trip to the Zoo

The Louisiana Cousins. Isabella has loved having girl cousins around. Here is a picture at the Zoo with all of the cousins.















Josh and the white alligator. Josh loved all the exhibit at the Zoo. His favorite was the Dinosaurs. They moved and made sounds. I think Josh thought that the Dinosaurs had came back to life.

Zach with his favorite the Stegasoraus.

We have been enjoying spending time with Angie and Doug and the girls. They have been so nice to show us around. We are really going to miss them after they move next week.