Happy trails to Grandma Kris and Papa Mark

We had a couple of last visits with Grandma Kris and Papa Mark before they headed west for the winter. We did dinner at their house one night and played "pin the parrot on the pirate" and visited with great grandma.

Their last night we met for dinner at Clover Bar and it was good for distracting the boys from thinking too much about the goodbye. We had had tears several times before the big day just thinking about it but we managed to escape tears that night, thank goodness.

We're still holding out hope they may change their minds and come home at Christmas for a bit to see us, we can't imagine they could stay away for so long! Until then, we talk on the phone and on Skype (when we can get the boys to hold still long enough!).

First Day of School

Back to school they went, bright and early on the bus. The boys are loving their new teacher and classroom and only have 19 kids in their class. First grade brings homework every day and lots of new adventures.

They have adjusted well other than they are very crabby and tired when they get home so we have early dinners and early to bed.

I miss having my afternoons with them but I am enjoying some free time to do other things I couldn't do as easily before.

Labor Day Weekend

Short recap:

Family times, beach, Jonathan lost his first tooth (can you see how he's been crying? It was traumatic!), family dinner, kayak with Uncle Jamie, cousin Kellan's cuteness, breakfast on the tennis courts, end of summer vacation.

Friend day

The Thursday before Labor Day weekend was a beach day. We invited our friends Adam and Laura and their mom Nancy (who happened to be having a birthday that day!) to share the day with us and packed a picnic lunch and cupcakes.

The water was COLD!! You know it's cold when four six year olds won't swim.

The cupcake frosting melted a bit so we just let the kids have at them and they were covered in chocolate goo but it was fun until we realized that slimy butter cream does not wash off in water that is 57 degrees!

We stayed on the beach until early evening and were joined by various friends and family members who trickled in for the long weekend.

The kids had fun watching Mr. Stoepker and Mr. Phil play miniature ping pong on the beach.

What a day to remember....

A few more beach pictures

I can't help it, it's where we live this time of year and the days are so much fun.