B is for . . .

B is for Birds! Our outing this week was to the VINS nature center where we saw lots of birds, went on a nature hike (where mommy managed to step mid-calf deep in thick mud) and hung out with friends.
The peregrine falcon is our Buddy Zachy's favorite bird at the moment -
The Bunch - Van, Eli, Zachy, and Analise (plus 2 more since Stephanie and I are both expecting)
B is for boots! New rain boots got broken in on a particularly rainy afternoon

B is for bizarre? Who is this girl? She's showing me her doll house - which is getting lots of play time right now.
B is for breathless - anticipation of the UPS truck. Waiting for deliveries is a daily occurrence - I"m not joking . . . for real. And every time Eli sees the truck (or any truck) it's WOW!!
Books! Following in his sister's footsteps is another little bookworm.
Broom! Starting them young on doing the chores.
B is for balls, beer and bonding! As soon as Daniel turns on sports center Eli comes running, shouting, "Ball, Ball, Ball!!"
A little bonding time . . .

A extra . . .

Where'd the shirt go? Yes, it's the first day of fall - but it was SO hot and humid here. The kids got a trillion mosquito bites and Eli even got stung by a bee in the raspberry patch. We're recovering with a little apple cider . . .
Eating gelato in Hanover outside the Nugger theater on a beautiful fall-ish day.
Eli is perched precariously waiting for me to finish snack - but his little pose was too cute to pass - plus I love his slippers.
Playing with balls at the Montshire children's museum
Building a complex house with rooms and roofs for some mini - stuffed chipmunks - also at the children's museum.

A is for . . .

"A" is for APPLE! This year we're following a letter of the week "curriculum" - meaning we pick 5 words that start with the letter of the week and then do things, sing songs, read stories, play games etc. - based on our letter. This week we did LOTS of apple related crafts, food, singing etc.

Apple printing - and color mixing . . .
a little finger painting . . . (this activity lasted about as long as it took for me to take the picture)
And apple picking! We went with the Tiny Tuckies to the apple orchard. We left with two grocery bags full of apples, apple cider, Indian corn, some gourds, and mini-pumpkins. Hurray for the first day of fall!! This is our very best friend Zachy - and I was trying to hop Van into the wagon, but wasn't quick enough! oops
Little man at the Farmer's Market. Not really A related, except he's an A+ to me :)

Summer Pics Pt. 2

Playing at the park in Idaho by Grandma's house
Eli doing his circuit . . . up the steps, across the bridge, up some more steps, down the slide - repeat as fast as possible . . .
During our one week trip to Pasco, Washington Daniel worked all day so the kids and I had plenty of time to explore the river as well as the wading pool in the park next to the hotel. Thankfully it was 90 degrees and sun every day or we would have been stuck!
throwing rocks . . .
testing the water - Analise is always ready to plunge in, but Eli was not so sure and preferred to look at the water rather than go in.Eating ice cream at a 50's style diner next to the hotel in the afternoon
goofy guy
first pics after his big hair cut - we can spike it now! Call me crazy, but I think his personality changed after the cut. It really launched him into toddler land versus sweet baby boy land . . .
I couldn't believe how much hair was on the floor after this cut!

Summer Pics

A visit to Bear World near Yellowstone Park in Idaho - the bears really come right up to your car! I was amazed and had a way better time than I thought I would . . .
The little lady all ready for the annual Sun Valley Ice Show. Yes - she is wearing fluffly pink dress up shoes . . .
Riding the Carousel at Tauphaus park in Idaho Falls. Look at those stumpy legs! The little guy LOVED it and could hardly stay in his saddle he was so excited.
Watching a Chukars game with dad.
Driving through Yellowstone on our way through Idaho into Montana.
Long car ride . . .
Where are you Eli?
In Minnesota - having popsicles on grandma and grandpa's back step
trying out the new blow up pool
watching a show on the computer while eating a snack before bed.

more pics to come~!