Our pets....

 The last of the ducks walking up to our door, yes I said door.

 

 Ducks walking up the back hill.

 Ducks walking up to Audrey.

 They think we should have food each and every time they come to visit, which is EVERY day!!  The nerve...

Sorry, no luck today......

Indiana skies

Really so beautiful!!  Out our back patio.

Jake in 1st cast

Can you believe it?????  We have another child in a cast!!  Jake was sooooo bummed, as were we.  No more football for the season!! 

1st day of school treat!!

So for the first time, I made homemade cinnamon rolls.....woohoo me!!  This was to be the kids treat when they got home.  Well I can say this.....it was fun making them and they looked so pretty, BUT didn't taste so great.  Bummer!!  I think I'll try g-ma Luise's recipe next.

Jake's 1st day of 6th grade MIDDLE school out here!!

So this year was BIG for Jake......middle school!!  Which meant lockers, different teachers for each class, and going to a school of approx. 1000 students, most importantly getting up at 7:45a instead of 6:45a.  He was just soooo excited!!  So when he arrived home I had the video camera rolling as he opened the door, and asked, "How was it?"  He replied, "the BEST day ever!!"  That's Jake.......
Oh and everyone on the bus thinks Audrey is the cuttest!!  And yes this bus driver also waves to Audrey.  

Alexa's 1st day of 4th grade

Alexa was excited to be heading back to school for 1 reason, so she could pick her outfits out each morning.  Is that Alexa or what??  She begged for a french manicure w/ torquise colored polish, so I granted with the reason being 1st day of school.  Audrey thought she was going somewhere as well.  She was not happy when the bus came and Alexa got on, but now she's all good, because Mrs. Bus Driver waves to her EACH morning. 

Baby Wyatt

Wyatt is still the sweetest baby!!  And he is so good to us.....you know sleeping great, doesn't cry, can't move around yet.  So we are totally enjoying him!! 

Audrey and new coat

So g-ma Nancy sent Audrey a new winter coat, cuz I'm a little nervous about all the winter clothes I'll need to be buying here. Of course Audrey wore it around for about a week, and it had to be worn with no clothes underneath; I think because it's so soft and cuddly inside.  Alexa liked it, so my mom sent her a black one.  Thanks g-ma!!

Alexa's thoughts....

Alexa had a question, so this is our conversation.

Mom, is Obama a golfer?
I'm not sure.
What do you do as president?
Run the Country, make lots of important decisions.
If I were President, I would have lots of candy shops w/ all sorts of candy, mostly cotton candy though, and it would be free.
Oh really....
There would be no bad people that smoked, drank or did drugs, so we could walk there all by ourselves.
That would be nice.
Everyone would be Mormon, so we could have sleepovers.

Funny huh?

Audrey and Teddy

This is how I found Audrey during her nap time, as I was putting away clothes in her room.  She has been wanting her Teddy in his crib right next to hers on the floor.  I didn't realize she would actually pull the whole crib into her's.  So nice of her to share her bed space.

Alexa and bread

So this is one example of Alexa being a great big sister.  Alexa told me to stay out of the kitchen because she was 'working on something'.  A few minutes later she brought over to Audrey a tray with these things on them: a loaf pan and bowl w/ torn up bread, a plastic fork, and a cup of water.  Alexa said this represents the Sacrament.  "I did this because she always wants more bread and water."  So thoughtful....Alexa is a little mom is training. 

Audrey and blog

Since I've started posting pictures of our family Audrey has taken up interest.  We've learned if there are pictures, Audrey's involved.   She will come to me and say, "mommy, pictures" and I know that means to pull this up and let her scroll.  She gets so excited as she does this.  She names each of us as the pictures come up.  I just watch her and her reaction.  It's just sweet to see her expressions doing this. 

Skies in Indiana

These pictures were all taken on our back deck. It was so beautiful. The skies really were that pink and purple. I love 'weather', changing weather. We just sat out and watched.

Audrey in basket

So, one day I get a yell from Alexa to come down in the basement 'real quick'.
This is what I find. Audrey shoved into a rolling basket along with a pillow, her favorite blanket and a stuffed kitty.
To my surprise she was happy and DID NOT want out. I was thinking she must not be able to breathe. Nope she was happy just like this! These are the fun times w/ Alexa. I'm sure it was her idea.

Alexa 9th b-day

To Alexa.....Happy 9th b-day!! To us you are: loving, thoughtful, kind, creative, nurturing, and a great big sister. You are so good w/ Audrey. She will remember all the times you create forts, put on tea parties, play dress up, dance to really loud music. We think your great! We love you and love watching you grow into a beautiful young lady.
Getting ready to make Alexa a b-day cake. Audrey loves to be in the middle of it. Her new thing now is the spice cabinet. I try to have patience....... I mean how much time do I really have to open up ALL the spices so she can smell them.
Alexa and......the beautiful wallpaper in the backround.
I just realized Audrey has no shirt on.
Alexa showcasing her gifts from g-ma Nancy. Getting g-ma's box is always sooooo fun. One of her favorite gifts was a personalized recipe binder. She is excited about that one, it's like a recipe scrapbook. G-ma made the scarf that she is wearing. Thanks g-ma!!

The zoo

WOW.... look at those horns.
Audrey calls these 'pish'.
Our baby Wyatt. See..... we can produce a little chunk. Look at those legs.
It was members night at the zoo. Free pizza, soda, and rice krispy treat. Score!!

Picking Blueberries

What is so fun out here, well fun for me, is all the farms that are so close. Your able to pick your own, which I think is a good time. Rozanne would understand. But a few weeks ago we went and picked tart cherries right off the trees. So my plan is to pick lots of fruits and freeze them for smoothies.

So here, Alexa and I went and picked blueberries . It takes longer than I thought. Alexa was done and over it w/in 10 minutes and I was trying to convince her that this is supposed to be fun. Anyhow, Mequell will benefit from our visit. Expect something coming. ;)

Dress Up w/ the Big Girls

Of course Audrey wanted in the middle of all the fun......
What fun?????? Alexa and 2 sisters that she plays w/ decided they wanted to play 'dress up'. So, what did this mean? To my shock....... it meant that ALL and I mean ALL of Alexa's clothes out of the closet and her drawers to be laid out on her bed, on the floor, actually anywhere that they could find a place to 'display their outfits'. I tried to not scream in horror as I went up to check on them. I decided this was a moment of fun for her and it would be discussed later w/ out friends. I'll say I took care of it in a calm matter.

I might add Taylor Swift was blaring in the room, which OK I love her music too. A makeup kit was out ALL over the sink. WOW............what a clean up effort.

The 4th.....Independence Day

Jake was having the best time lighting up fireworks. I mean matches, fire, flames!! What more could a boy want?



So here in Indiana ANY kind of fireworks are legal. Woohoo!! I think the last time I have personally lit off any were back when I was a child in Folsom, Ca. Whatever happened? It was so fun! I am only posting these out of the 50 approx. that Jake took pictures of. I was in search of my camera that night not knowing Jake was having a hay day. We had 3 families over to celebrate, but sorry no pictures of them (all fireworks).

The firework show on the lake and surrounding neighborhoods were amazing! These were what you would see at something organized. And it went on for hours. So, people buy these crazy huge ones and just light them off in their backyard. So, we all just sat out eating desserts, watching the show! My kids were having the best time. Fun memories.