Getting ready for SCHOOL!!!!!!!

Sawyer got Mrs. Minor for 4th grade...I know nothing about her but am hoping for the best. Eden got Mrs. Scott for 1st grade...whom I hear is awesome :) Eden also has one of her besties in her class, which made her very happy. The kids are ready to start school. I have spent about a million dollars on school supplies, registration, clothing, activities and eating out for lunch while shopping for everything. My pal Jenny and I had our annual garage sale in July which funds back-to-school shopping every year! This year we are all experiencing something new for us...JR. HIGH! I actually think they needed less supplies but do have to have the extra clothing for PE. Faith also decorated her locker...which is very popular to do here. She has had to memorize 2 locker combinations. We walked through her schedule the other day and it was pretty simple. She is going from a 5th grade class of 100 kids to a 6th grade class of about 500 kids. I actually don't think she is nervous...just excited.

The kids are all ready to start school. They get so excited about their school supplies. They are getting bored of going to the pool and are wanting me to take them out to eat everyday. It is time.

Here are some pics. of Faith decorating her locker (we went on 2 different days) and some of her BFF's.

Summer Activities

I am way behind...I am always way behind. A month of our summer was occupied with family but the kids also kept pretty busy this summer with sports and camps. Sawyer participated in a week long soccer camp with his friend, Grayson, (of which I have no photos of...bad mom). However, my good friend Shelly has some and has them on her blog for myself to look at. Hey Shell...can you make me some copies??? The camp was 1/2 the day for a week. It was super hot out but he enjoyed every minute of it. He also did a week long (all day) chess camp. It was from 9-3. He also loved every minute of it. Again...no pics. Parents weren't invited. It was a drop off, pick up thing. It took place at a Baptist church where they also included a religious message in their break time. Can't go wrong there!

The girls both participated in softball this summer. I LOVE softball. I could watch it all day....well maybe not Eden's age group but definitely Faith's! This was Eden's first year and it went well. She improved a lot. It is coach pitched and through the parks and rec. She told me one day that she didn't like it because she doesn't like "the ball or sweating." Eden had a very nice coach. I think he was a college student and handled a dozen 5-6 year old girls very well. Faith, on the other hand loves softball! She was on an awesome team this year. She was on a losing team last year so this was a nice change for her (and me)! She had the nicest coaches as well! They consisted of a couple of dads and a grandpa. Faith improved in every area this year and can hit the ball really well. She even hit three or four doubles. She went through a batting slump toward the end of the season but was back hitting again by the tournament. They came in 3rd place in the tournament. I honestly thought they would come in 1st but it wasn't to be. It amazes me how well 10 and 11 year old girls can play softball. We are already looking forward to next year and Faith is planning on working hard to improve her skills even more. Faith also started running Cross Country a few weeks ago for her school. She is really enjoying it and has her first meet tonight.

Here are a few photos from softball. I wish I had a really good camera. The one photo is of Faith and one of her besties, Jaclyn, who was on her team this year.

Happy 45th Anniversary!

While the family was visiting we were able to celebrate my parents 45th wedding anniversary! They were married July 24th, 1965. We were all able to eat out at a nice restaurant and celebrate with NO KIDS!! I think this is the first time we all felt comfortable to leave them all at home without an adult. We had a great time! I am pretty sure my brothers and I are all in agreement that we have amazing parents. We are so fortunate to all love each other and want to be together. Our family has been very blessed in many, many ways!

Family Togetherness

More pics....

Family...cont...

Well, now that I waited so long I have almost forgotten what else we all did. On July 4th we set off lots of fireworks in our backyard and at an undisclosed location. ALL the guys (minus Bex) went to Chicago for a White Sox game and had a lot of fun. Sawyer was in his version of heaven spending time with my nephews (who were very sweet with him). Most of our time was just spent hanging out. We had a few very late nights of Rockband and talking with my nephews and nieces (not with my brothers or sis-in-laws though...they are too old hahahaha). We had family pics. taken at the very end of the stay out at Miller Park. I am STILL waiting to get those back and it is taking forever. Picture day was the last day we were all together and we came back to our house, had a big meal and celebrated a few b-days. My big bro, Tyler, turns 40 on Aug. 6th and my niece Madison turns 13, and Kalista 11at the end of the month. We rarely get to spend any b-days together so it was a lot of fun. My nieces, Kalista and Kara stayed on for another 2 weeks after everyone else left. My kids loving have their cousins around to keep them entertained. We had so much fun and miss everyone like crazy! On my next post, I am going to try to sum up the rest of our summer activities. Summer vacation has gone WAY TOO FAST!!