Weekend fun

Last Friday there was no school... so I took the girls up to Grandma and Grandpa Ohio's house.
The girls couldn't wait to play in Grandma's playroom.  Alli says the toys there are REALLY fun (not like our boring toys).
We visited my Grandma.  We left with two bags of cookies.  She says she's done making cookies... she's even giving away her cookie sheets.  We'll see.

The girls made cupcakes with Grandma Ohio and took them to Grandpa's work.
I took photos of the teachers at Falcon Academy.  And I did a family picture for my brother Dan's family.
We had a pasta party for my marathon-running brothers... it was also a birthday party for my Grandpa Edwin.

Grandpa Ed invited a bunch of friends to the party.  What a collection of friends!  The range in age and ethnicity and lifestyle was quite interesting.  When we all sang "Happy Birthday," Ed got all shy and looked down and kept eating his dinner.  He did blow out the candle at the end of the song. 
My nephew Eldon couldn't get enough of the Jeep.

I had to Photoshop him out of Dan's family picture...

We had to head home Friday night because I was taking bridal photos on Saturday.
Busy.  Busy.  Busy.
Andy got to go to the OSU game on Saturday.  We don't own any OSU attire (which might be criminal in Columbus).
A red shirt from CVS had to do.  (And now I have an idea for a Christmas present.)
As soon as Andy got back from the game I took off for a women's dinner and broadcast.  The messages were inspiring and uplifting... and the company was wonderful!

My brothers Dan and Dave ran the Akron Marathon on Saturday.  Dan beat his best time by a minute... but I forget what that time was.  Dave came in 4th place... not his very best time, but his best finish at Akron.  Go bros!

claimed

Apparently Ruby has picked her pumpkin.
(These lovely pumpkins came from our garden!)

Back to School Pictures... finally

I am behind on the blog.
The girls are back to school... they have been for a few weeks now.  Anyhow, here is Alli's first day of school...

She is a little ray of sunshine on a very dark and wet morning. 
She is obviously getting older and cooler...

She didn't even turn back to wave at me.  Sniff.  She did wave as the bus pulled away.

Ruby started kindergarten a few days after Alli started.

Alli was eager to show Ruby her school... where to go... what to do...
Can you feel the love?

Ruby is tough to wake up.  Every morning is a battle... but I am the only one fighting.  She is like a rag doll.  Once she is out the door, she perks up and smiles all the way to the bus stop.

And she turns to smile at her mommy when she gets on the bus.

Both girls love school and adore their teachers.  Hooray for the wonderful teachers at our school (and all schools)!

June is adjusting to having the house (and mommy) to herself all day.

She spends a lot of time taking care of babies.  Can you tell which is her favorite?


The blue-eyed baby she calls Asena (named after her baby cousin).  June loves her blue eyes and bandages (several more bandages have been added since this picture... I'll have to get another picture eventually).  She also has some permanent marker drawings on her arms.

June and I are getting a lot done during the days.  And having lots of fun.   And reading lots of books.

Life is good.  And when the girls come home, there is always more fun (though maybe less stuff getting done).  

Jungle Jack's Landing

We have never taken our kids to an amusement park... okay, that is not completely true, we took Alli to Disneyworld when she was almost 3.  She doesn't really remember it.
 
This summer we took our kids to the zoo amusement park, which is small and only costs $5 after 5pm.  It closes at 8pm, so three hours seemed like all we could handle anyhow.  And since they have never been to an amusement park (except for Alli), this was the bees knees!

Whether watching or riding, we all had fun.  Andy and I took turns taking the girls on the rides.  Andy did scrambler duty, bless his heart. 

Watch out for mama on the bumper cars!

Two cousins joined us for the evening.  We had five girls with us.  We got a lot of looks and "Are they ALL yours?!"
The screams from this thriller are still ringing in my ears!

We took the kids that were tall enough on the log ride.  Our summer is complete now.

Afterwards we ate at Cinco de Mayo.  Oh, yum!