First Day of School

Tuesday was Addilyn and Asher's first day of school in Albert City.  Addilyn is starting 2nd grade.

And Asher is starting Kindergarten!!

He got tired of smiling and decided to look fierce instead.

This is the standard showing-off-the-backpack pose that I always make them do.

 "Seriously, Mom, can I be done?"

Addilyn shows off the backpack like a pro.

I love this picture.

I always like getting pictures of the kids' with Mom and Dad on their first day of school.  This picture is so awesome!

 And the picture with Mom.

Candid shot.

A picture with my boy on his first day of school.

A picture with my girl on her first day of school in a new town.

 "Well, it's getting to be about that time; we should probably head out."

 "Let's go!"

Outside their new school.

This picture is just about perfect.  This is Asher's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Frederick.  She was very nice in posing with Asher and he wasn't having it.  He apparently didn't say much that first day (or the following).  As of Thursday, he's starting to come out of his shell just a little bit.  It took him until December to decide it was okay to talk in his preschool class so he's definitely made some progress.

And here's Addilyn in front of her second grade classroom.  She was just about as excited as could be to get back to school.
Yay for the first day of school!

Our Month of July

Here is a spattering of pictures from here and there and everywhere all throughout July.
Elias was pretty excited about these cookies.

This unruly gang was out to get me.

Lick!

Asher helped me make no bake cookies.  We substituted almond butter and they were awesome.

Cutie face.

Albert standing on Daddy's shoulders.

I love his intensity.  You'd think he'd be reading something equally intense.

Helping mod podge.  Painting with glue...can life get better? He'll submit that it canNOT!

Smiley face.

We spent an afternoon with some of the best people!!

Nick and Brittany (and Albany) were in town!!!
We hadn't seen them in a couple of years and hadn't even met Miss Albany yet.  It was an awesome day of fun hanging out (we even went to the zoo).  Best day ever!!

Tyler calls this, "90s grunge band photo."

The boys chat about their popsicles.

The kids and I went to Nebraska to visit my parents for a few days while Tyler was busy with teaching his Greek intensive.  They were enjoying some books together.

The kids were definitely planning on spending the entire trip playing in the inflatable pool in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard.  Unfortunately, it was really chilly all week.  Finally, Asher couldn't stand it any longer and went in anyway.

Ahhhh!!

Smores!

Diving in.

After he got over the horror of the marshmallow stickiness, Albert really enjoyed it.

It may have only been in the mid 70s but the kids went swimming anyway.

Ironically, Elias was the one that got too cold to enjoy the pool.

Albert had a wardrobe malfunction.

Those swim trunk would just not stay up!  Apparently the elastic finally died.  We have since gotten him a new pair.

Running along Lake Michigan.

My Mom visited us too (twice actually).  She actually flew in to help me drive out to Nebraska and back. Thanks Mom!

Balancing on Daddy's back.

Sand is fun.

Family photo.