Fall Fun

Colin was invited to a birthday party for his classmate Ella in late September. The party was at a local farm with a hayride, slides, and pumpkin picking. I thought we should go so that we could meet his classmates and their parents and he was game. He likes a party.




As you can see, the big slide was very popular. We also got lost in the corn maze with Colin's friend McKenna. He did NOT enjoy that so much.


Since Colin was busy with partying, Gillian and Daddy made plans to go apple picking. Turns out Grammy and Papa Frank stopped by to go along with them! I think they had a good time too!






Gillian found a big slide too!

Labor Day Fun

Since it's not enough to refinish floors over a weekend, we invited a crew of people over for a Labor Day picnic in the new place! Uncle D, Aunt Cedes, and Tommy came over. And Grammy, Papa, Tim, Mrs. Kathy, and JOE (!!!) drove down for the day. The children were ECSTATIC!

The kids were VERY surprised when Joe walked in,since we are smart enough to not TELL THEM when things like that are happening. They then monopolized Joe's time playing in their rooms for a very, very long time. It was very loud up there...but I still don't know exactly what they were up to! Everyone else enjoyed a tour of the new house and admired Daddy's new floor.

After a pretty yummy lunch (if I do say so myself), we asked Mrs. K to take some quick pictures for us. I wanted a family picture to put on a change of address card to mail out. Thankfully, Mrs. K was happy to oblige.

(We didn't use that one, but it amuses me.)


Oh look, JOE!



We also got a nice picture of Grammy with all three of her grandbabies. I think she was happy to have one to show off!




And then the children got a hold of the camera and documented the rest of the day.













This is Colin and Joe in the dark, with a light saber.









Fun day. Good company. Silly photographers! We hope to have many, many more family picnics here!

Fourth of July 2013

Well, I can't believe that it was time for the 4th of July already....let alone that it was 10 days ago. This summer is flying. FLYING.

We made our annual trek north for Brockway's Olde Fashioned 4th of July on Wednesday afternoon. We had about ten straight days of rain before then, so we weren't totally hopeful, but it turned out to be a LOVELY week/weekend!

On Wednesday afternoon we hung out at Grammy and Papa's house and had some Paesano's pizza. You can't NOT have Paesano's pizza when given the opportunity. We were just herding the kids back for a bath when JOE arrived to drop off some stuff for the next day. Colin literally levitated off the couch when he heard Joe's voice. And then Joe got a huge hug.


On Thursday morning we were up and at 'em early. After some breakfast we took the kids into town to play on the playground, see who we could see, and grab some fireman's donuts.



Family see saw!




This was third breakfast...donuts and lemonade.



We dropped into the craft show area to say HI to Mrs. Kathy who was selling some crafts this year. And G saw this ribbon crown. It was only $2, so I was happy to oblige.


Near lunchtime we returned to Grammy's house on the hill. Thankfully Joe was there to pull the children around endlessly in the wagon...


Oh, and the bike racers were just making it past Grammy's house, so we CHEERED for them all!



We had a great picnic lunch, as usual, and were joined by Matt, Rachel, and Lil' John this year!


After lunch we kept the kids busy with the wading pool and some plastic cups. And Joe.



Then it was parade time. And this year Gillian remembered that there would be candy. And we had to take a bag to collect it in. We met up with Matt, Rachel, and John again at the parade. And my cousin Becky and her little boy, Sven, met us too.






A parade rainbow!


Gillian and Sven sharing some fritos.



After the parade we did some sparkles (in the daylight) before bed. Colin was very afraid that they would be LOUD. But once he decided that they were quiet, he was very pleased with them. And so was Gillian!





A great day full of fun! Just like always at the Olde Fashioned 4th!