September 2011 - Week 3

This is what we do in the evenings (note the wine).  I sweep, and sweep and sweep.  This pile is what the neighborhood squirrels were kind enough to drop on our patio.  This is 2 days worth.  It's neverending.  They bombard us and taunt us from above.

 We love our giant oak tree but the acorns I could do without. 

 We ate dinner outside on Sunday night.  We usually eat outside whenever we can because Quinn likes to throw her food/fork/spoon/cup bowl whenever she feels like it.  If we eat outside then my floors stay much cleaner and Ruby gets a snack.

And I thought Delaney was going to be my 'challenging' kid.  Who knew?

 Meredith says 'hi!'

 Quinn likes to scream.  A lot.

 Praying?  Grace?  Not sure.

 Copying

Gigantic zuchinni from the garden.

 Best start shredding...

 This is how we wrangle the girls while we work in the yard.

 So many acorns...

September 2011 - Week II

I'm getting a little bit better about pictures now that all our fall activities have started.  We'll see if I can manage to keep it up amidst the chaos!  We have finally started school, preschool, ballet and soccer.  Hopefully I don't take the wrong kid to the wrong place at the wrong time!

I didn't have my good camera at Merediths first soccer game.  Don't worry, there are lots of games to come and more pictures of course.  After the first practice I asked Meredith how she liked it.  She said "It's hard and we have to run a lot". My thoughts exactly, that is why I lasted one season when I was little.  She did however love her first game!  The "Goal-scorers" (I'm not sure why the girls picked that name?) won by a wiiiide margin.

 Poor, poor Meredith started biting her nails a couple months ago.  She spent the entire game chewing away.  I guess she got my ocd tendencies...

 The best part about kindergarten is getting to walk Meredith too and from school each day.  We have always loved the East End but we love it even more now that was only have to walk a block to school.  Papa Gene has been taking Meredith each morning and Delaney tags along.  This is great because it gets her dressed without a battle!  This week Papa Jim and KK were here to visit so they got drop off duty. 

Delaney HAD to have her backpack and was racing to catch up.

 It takes a LONG time to get to school when you stop to pick up every rock, leaf, stick and bug.

 Quinn is not much for sharing these days.

 But occasionally she will let her sister touch her!

 Papa Jim and Delaney have a special bond, they just adore each other.

 Quinn wanted to line up this morning too.

 Meredith, biting her nails again.

 Lucky for us the Roosevelt Market is just on the other side of the school.  A perfect stop on the way home for coffee or strawberry milk.

 Quinn likes to visit the goldfish and the mouse salt shaker.

*bruise on her face is from falling into an outdoor light, ouch*

We love when Papa Jim and KK come to visit!  KK got to help in Merediths class yesterday and I got to go today.  It's so fun I wish I could do it all the time.  

I'm so mad at myself for not taking more pictures this last week.  It was pretty wild, but that is no excuse.  My dear dear friend Naomi visited Boise last week with her two little boys.  We had so much fun, it was great to see them in our neck of the woods.  They were real troopers as we drug them across Idaho.  We spent a few days in Boise getting caught up and visiting with Sara and her crew, then we headed to McCall with all our kids.  It's amazing we survived with a 5, 3, 2 and 1 year old and a 4 month old to boot!  Quite a circus.  Maybe that is why I don't have many pictures?

We hit the McCall Saturday Market.  Poor Aaron got used to being wedged between a couple Hamiltons.

 Aaron brought along his tool belt.  Oh boy, the kids loved it.  A lot.

 Quinn is now running...everywhere.  Even on the ratty old dock.  We can't wait for our new dock to be installed next summer.  No more slivers! 

 Dock picnic

 Jeep love.  I thought we might have to try and pack this for Aaron. 

I'm so mad we have no group shots or pics of sweet baby Jacob. 

 The Yorks left at noon, and we headed back to the Richins for Sams big 4th birthday party that evening.

Sam LOVES to race.  So all the kids hit the path behind their house for a race.  It was hilarious.

Jerry got the kids all fired up...

 Quinn was not going to let bare feet stop her from racing.

 Sara threw a fantastic party for kids and adults alike! 

She is such a good cake-pop maker, Mom and friend!

 Jesse gave her the cupcake, not me.