Grasshoppers anyone???

Boyd took Jonah and Hudson to the Father and Sons campout this year (with Grandpa) at North Fork. The boys entertained themselves the ENTIRE time with all of the grasshoppers. Their fascination with these delightful insects was only fueled with Dad's story of eating one when he was younger. Apparently, this scored lots of points with these young impressionable boys. I'm sure they would have ate one themselves but he had the good sense to tell them it was absolutely disgusting!
That was in early August and ever since they have been searching our yard (and the surrounding ones) for more grasshoppers. When they finally find one, they wear it right out, and unfortunately it loses it's strength to escape. Hence the pictures with the grasshopper just sitting there on their faces and clothing! Not surprisingly, Emma and Gracie are in on the action too. Boyd took these pictures at the campout and while I was fixing dinner, thanks hon!

Ten Years of Bliss, Baby!!

Yes, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary on August 19th and boy what a wonderful 10 years it has been! We normally don't do a lot for our anniversary, maybe go out for dinner or something. But this year we decided to really celebrate. So in a few short weeks we will be going on our first ever cruise! We are excited that 4 other fabulous couples that are friends of ours are coming too! We have been planning it for a long time and I can't believe it's already here.
We also decided it was time to get a new bedroom set. Boyd promised me this when I was sick and bed ridden for all those months. My prison was our bedroom and I really hated being in there because of all of the negative memories. Not so good, considering you spend a good deal of time in there. But what pushed him over the edge was having trouble sleeping in our taco mattress and having back pain. I think it was a sign from heaven that it was time to upgrade to a king size bed. With four children that like to crawl into bed with us it was a must, right? We were able to get a really good deal from Down East Outfitters on a fabulous bedroom set from Pottery Barn and can I just say that I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! It's crazy how much I love it. Boyd and I both love to spend time in there reading, talking, escaping from the children...it's fantastic. When we went to pick it up Emma was concerned because she said she really enjoyed cuddling in our old bed. But when she came in the next day to cuddle, she was so happy, she told me it was the "best, most wonderful, most comfortable bed she had ever seen." Those last few weeks of summer were so fun. The kids would bring books in and we would read stories, tickle and laugh! Who knew a bedroom set could be so much fun? Definitely worth the wait, thanks babe!
So, with these two huge, selfish purchases we agreed that we were set for anniversary gifts for the next 10 years so imagine my surprise to get a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered with a card that read "10 years of bliss, baby!" I immediately called to tell him he was in big trouble and that he was the best husband ever, in almost that order.
We also got to have two date nights in a row, which is a miracle in and of itself. Our nice neighbors invited us to see Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband with them and it was so much fun! And then we were able to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner the next night (and do a little school shopping as well)!
But the best gift of all was the heartfelt letter from my sweetheart that I ask for every year and never get. It was mildly cheesy, which I can handle. Thank you babe-I love you!

Jonah took our picture right before we left for Ryan Shupe! He's really quite good.

"The" flowers

My little piece of heaven on earth! I have my own bedside table and everything!

The 1st Day of school!!!!!

Emma is a big 2nd grader now and she has several friends from the neighborhood in her class. On the way to school I asked if she was a little nervous and she told me "No, Dad gave me a blessing and so I feel just great!" It made me realize how much she is growing up and what a sweet girl she really is. I was really sad when I got home, which is really unlike me. I even shed a few tears for my sweetheart because selfishly, I will really miss having her home with me. Poor Boyd didn't quite know what to say, I think he was in shock because I have been so excited for school to start. Oh well, I guess you don't know what you got 'til it's gone!!


Jonah started Kindergarten and he has been telling me nonstop "Thank you Jonah go to school Mom, thank you!" He is in afternoon Kindergarten and we were surprised when they tested him that he tested out of the all day kindergarten program they have at our school. I was listening from the hallway when his teacher tested him the first week of school and again I was struck (meaning, I was crying like a baby) at how far he has come in 4 months. No English. Practically no social boundaries. Totally different country and culture. And yet he was answering most of her questions-at least the ones he understood, correctly. Although he is not where I want him to be as far a readiness for school, when I think of how far he has come is such a short time it is a miracle. We were not planning on sending him to Kindergarten this year but now I am sure we made the right decision. I'll post later about his "first day" without me there later because I don't want to diminish how well he is doing now. What a story.

Hudson started preschool with Miss Evelyn the week after Emma and Jonah and he was more than ready for his turn! He knew exactly where he wanted his picture taken and was very excited to see his friends. He also informed me when I went to walk him in that next time he would like to walk himself, which I agreed to. His preschool is three days a week and he goes in the afternoon when Jonah is gone which he enjoys. They really have fun playing together in the morning and are getting along so well. It's crazy to think my buddy is 4 1/2 and will be going to Kindergarten next year. Time is flying by and I'm trying to enjoy the small moments while they last, even if sometimes I feel like our life is a crazy one!

Super Face Painting!

My Mom and Mel were helping me out the other day while I went to Activity Days and I came home to...wild animals! Mel had bought a new book on face painting for our upcoming school carnival where she volunteered her talents and she wanted to try them out a little. The kids were thrilled! I have no artistic ability whatsoever so I guess she got the entire families share of talent in the art dept.