Fall

I love Fall! It is always a busy time, but busy fun! October was full of outings with friends and families. Here are a few highlights...
 Jackson finished up his flag football season...

 We made Halloween projects...

 Visited the apple orchard...

 Went to pick pumpkins with grandma and grandpa and also celebrated grandpa's birthday...

 Went to a pumpkin carving party...

 Had a special surprise Halloween breakfast on Halloween morning...

 

Went trick or treating in the rainy cold weather...but it was still really fun! Aubrin was "Allison" Wonderland!

Our first few weeks...

Our transition back to school has been great for all 4 of us. The kids are doing great and seem to enjoy their teachers. Todd and I have started our year with ease as well. The beginning of the school year is always a busy time. With school starting it also means that our after school schedule gets busier. Aubrin started back to gymnastics and is loving it. Jackson is also taking a class at the gym called Gym Fit. It's a strengthening class for little guys. Jackson is climbing ropes, working on the rings and also doing some running. He loves the challenge of the class and always try to beat what he did the week before. 

On Saturdays Jackson is playing flag football. The schedule is a bit different this year with no practices during the week but a 90 minute practice before each game. Jack was happy

to be back on the field with some of his buddies. I thought that after a 90 minute practice Jackson wouldn't have any energy left for the game, but I was wrong. The boys still played hard and did great!

Between Catechism, gymnastics, Gym Fit, football and homework, we still try to find moments as a family to do what we love together.

We try to go fishing a couple nights a week after dinner. It's always a sure thing to catch a fish in the pond. Jackson and Aubrin are always in competition as to who can catch the biggest fish.

The kids still love to bake, especially Great Grandma Doughty's Famous Cookies! It always leaves us enough cookies to package up and share with the neighbors. 

I'm trying to remember this school year to slow down and make time for the small things.

The Start of the Year

I cannot believe the summer has come to an end. It has been full of so many fun days spent with family and friends. Now I am trying to wrap my head around having a 2nd grader and kindergartener...Wow!
A few days before the first day of school Aubrin had an open house to meet her teacher, drop off her supplies, tour her classroom and most importantly have a Popsicle on the playground. Aubrin has been very confident about going to school...no worries at all. When we got to the school she was so nervous. She just really needed Jackson to be with her to reassure her that kindergarten would be great. So sweet, but at the same time very surprised that Aubrin was so nervous. Aubrin was excited to have Ms. Stachura for kindergarten. It's the same teacher that Jackson had. Aubrin knows her well, but was so shy to say hello and get her picture taken. We took a peek at her room (so cute) and then headed outside for her to have a Popsicle and to visit with her friends. 

The first day of school came quick... I was happy that I was able to see the kids in the morning before I left for work. Todd took the day off to get the kids on the bus and to spend the day at school with Aubrin. Aubrin woke up all smiles and said she was ready for her first day.   Jackson was so happy to have Mrs. Currie again. He looped with her from last year. Although all of his buddies are in another class, I think it was very comforting to Jackson to know that he already knew his teacher and her expectations.   All felt good when I left the house that everyone was happy and ready for their day to start.
Todd sent me a few pictures of Aubrin during the day..all smiles and loving it!

 I was also a bit nervous for the first day of school. Switching from kindergarten to 3rd grade is a huge jump. Although I requested the change, not a day went by all summer that I didn't question my choice. I left a grade that I knew well and felt confident that I taught well and moving to a grade that I don't know and have HOPES that it will go well. All I can do is give it my best and put all that I have into it each day...My first day went great. I have 13 families that I have had before and my new kiddos were absolutely fantastic!!!!

When I got home from work both kids were excited to tell me about their friends in their classes and what they did on their first day of school.  Today was the first time in 7 years that I started a school year without that horrible feeling in my stomach. This year everyone is at school all day, everyday. I feel like we are all where we need to be and I'm not leaving someone at home. Today I felt a bit lighter! Here's to a great year!

Our Big Guy Turns 7!

How in the world has seven years passed by? We have watched Jackson grow into such a fantastic little guy.  This year we didn't do a big party. We celebrated with the Miller's on one day and my family on another. It worked out better for everyone's schedule. We started earlier in the week celebrating with the Miller's. Luke and Jackson share a birthday and Emma has a birthday later in the month, so we decided to combined all three. It was so fun to watch Luke eat his first birthday cake. All of the cousins were anticipating him taking his first bite.

Emma and Jackson each had happy birthday sang to them and then they opened gifts. Jackson got new Tiger's gear and a catchers glove- heavenly for him! It was a nice evening swimming, visiting and celebrating.

On Jackson's actual birthday he and Todd got up early and headed out for a round of golf. Its Jackson's favorite thing to do on summer mornings. Once he was home and he had his birthday breakfast and we opened gifts. We decided to give him a few gifts before his evening celebration with family. Jackson was thrilled when he opened his new first base glove from Aubrin.  Evidently seven year olds need three gloves. I'm sure it will be broken in well before his next season starts. Jackson was also happy when he opened his new bike from mom and dad. His legs were just a bit too long for his old bike. We spent the day playing outside, riding bikes and playing ball.

Later in the day my family and a few close friends came to celebrate Jackson. It was a beautiful evening to sit out on the deck and catch up while all of the kids played. Jackson loved that he got a globe from my parents. He has been wanting one for a while. He LOVES geography. Jackson was also thrilled to get the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and Drawing Book. Not my choice of reading for Jackson, but he really wanted to read them! Great Grandma was the hit of the party with that gift:) After birthday festivities, all the kids headed outside, grabbed something to ride and off they went.

Now that all of the kids are a bit older, no party games needed. They just have a great time hanging out together. 

Of course it would not be a birthday week without a Tigers game. We had a nice family day watching the game.