Running, Kicking, Hitting, and Jumping

 These 3 had a busy fall sports season - Brooks tried soccer for the first time and he loved it - even if his mom was his coach.

We had a great team full of fun kiddos who loved to learn more and have a good time!

 Andy helped coach Bennett in flag football again this fall.  He did great, learned a lot, and had fun.  He had some cold games and in one of them he made one of the greatest catches that ever occurred in the history of flag football.

 Marie tried her hand in volleyball this fall. She learned a lot, had fun, and her team improved every game! She worked hard at getting her serves over the net especially.  

Way to go kids - we love watching you work hard and have fun!

Jumping into fall

 Our fall was full of sports, wrapping up our house project, driving kids to activities, seeing our kids literally grow before our eyes in their school pictures, and even taking some time to enjoy the small things.

   One fall day we jumped in the leaves, went for a bike ride, went fishing, and ended the perfect fall day with a bonfire and s'mores.

 These kids know how to fill a day up just like mom and dad.  

 

New backyard patio attached to our extended basement space.  

We are so happy this project is complete!

 

 Marie - 4th grade

 Bennett-1st grade

Brooks-Pre-K

The summer of Root Beer

Meet Root Beer - this cow was loved and loved and loved.  

All 3 kids worked together this summer to take care of this cow.  She was calm and easy going - easy to love. 

Chores occurred 2 times per day and they took turns filling the buckets of feed, giving Root Beer water, and leading her.

Fair week was busy but great!  Lots of scrubbing at bath time and time with all the animals we could find.

Until next year!

More summer adventures

 What do you get when you grab your mama tribe and all their kids and you pack your whole house into your husband's truck????

Answer: an insanely fun camping trip that I will do again and again and again. 

One evening during a loooong mama's night out dinner we got this plan and we pulled through.  

 We cooked dinner, kayaked, paddle boarded, had epic smores, told ghost stories, and slept in tents with an amazing fire.  Each husband checked in once during the evening and let's face it, they were jealous and surprised it was going so well!

I will remember this trip forever...I hope the kids do too!

 We also welcomed Chris' new wife Amanda and her daughter Delaney into our family.  

They got married on a beautiful morning in July on the boat in the middle of Miller's Bay. 

It was gorgeous.

We also headed to Minnesota for a Twins game, world's largest candy store, and a walk around the sculpture garden. 

 The Twins had a great game, we had beautiful weather, and we even me the organ player!

First Day of School

 And they're off!

Summer came and went and now we have 3 kiddos in school.  

All were excited to begin again.  

 They are all three in the same building this year- the only time that will happen.

 Marie 4th, Bennett 1st, and Brooks Pre-K.

DC

 

We all took a trip this summer out to DC so Andy could take a course and we could enjoy the city again and see Greg and Katie.  

Uncle Nathan tagged along thankfully to help with the kiddos.  

We hit as many monuments and museums as we could and the kids never complained. 

 

One of the highlights was visiting 2 air and space museums. Bennett loves space and so this was especially great for him.

 Marie got to spend some time alone in the city with Greg and Katie for her birthday.  

 Brooks loved the Museum of Natural History and took special interest in the moving walkways at the airport!