Happy Campers

For the first time in several years, we own a Volkswagen Vanagon that actually runs and can leave the driveway! ;) Andrew was itching to take it camping since it will sleep 4 people, so we picked a Saturday night and headed to a state park about 15 miles from home. It was the first time that we had gone camping as a family, and we all had a great time. The kids absolutely LOVED the freedom of just being outside: they explored the woods, tended to the campfire, kicked a soccer ball, and got completely filthy. Garcia was content to chew on sticks, go on lots of walks, and relax in the fresh air. Pops and Grann joined us for hot dogs and S'mores, and once the sun went down it got chilly enough that the campfire felt really good!

the van in camping position!

The kids were eager to start a fire in the fire pit!

Ryder loves the "pop top" as much as his daddy does!

and so does Garcia!

Harper couldn't have gotten much dirtier if she had rolled around on the ground! Look at those legs!

supervising

Andrew thinks this should be a new marketing photo for Bush's baked beans. :)

homemade sparklers--> burning sticks for the kids to wave around

Harper (the blur) was writing her name in the air.

In true sleepover fashion, the kids stayed up whispering and giggling for a while after we tucked them in. Andrew and I enjoyed just listening to them as we sat by the fire. Finally we heard Ryder say, "Harper, stop talking! I'm trying to go to sleep!"

The next morning, Andrew made blueberry waffles and bacon for breakfast. Yum!

playing in "the jungle", as Harper called it

Ryder was whiny and in a funk when we got home from the campground. We kept asking him if he felt ok or wanted to take a nap.  His little chin quivered when he finally admitted he just wanted to stay camping and wasn't ready to come home. Poor boy! Because the kids loved it so much, Andrew and I got on the computer that night and reserved a camp site so we can go back over Andrew's birthday weekend. It's such an easy way to spend some quality time together when our weeks are anything but relaxing.

School Pictures--Part 2

Ryder brought his school picture home today! I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg on the fanciest picture package, so I purchased one 8x10 for the wall and the digital download so I can print out more if I want to. The digital download let me choose six different backgrounds for free, so I had fun playing around with those. :)

This is the one I framed and hung on the wall.

at the beach

brick and ivy

Ryder's first art show!

One day last week Ryder brought home this invitation for the Venice Art Show. I was surprised because I didn't even realize one of his pieces had been chosen! When I asked him about it, he said, "Um, I think maybe my sunflower. I was the only one in my class that got that piece of paper!" He was so proud, and we couldn't wait to visit the festival downtown to see his work in person. :)

We walked up and down the avenue browsing the paintings and sculptures, and the very last tent we came to was the one we were looking for! Ryder was right--the teacher had chosen his sunflower picture. I thought he did a great job, especially considering that two years ago he didn't even like to do art! I also noticed that there were only 2 other kindergarten pieces on display--way to go, Ryder!!

Ryder and his proud momma!

Halloween Season 2016

 It's hard to believe that October is already over! It has finally cooled off over the past couple of weeks, making it feel a little more like fall. I've definitely been enjoying lower humidity and cooler breezes--I finally was able to enjoy a pumpkin spice latte the other day (without sweating!) because it wasn't 90 degrees outside!

While at Home Depot one weekend, Harper discovered this handsome young fellow near the checkout line. She said, "He looks kinda creepy!" but then wanted her picture taken next to him. Ha!

Ryder's class participated in a storybook parade the Friday before Halloween. He had to choose a favorite book and dress up as one of the characters. After much deliberation, we decided on Harold and the Purple Crayon because it has always been one of his favorites. It also made for a super easy and comfortable costume: a pair of solid blue pj's and a large purple crayon Andrew made with a dowel rod and some purple spray paint. Done!

opening a Halloween care package from Grandma and Grandpa!

This past weekend we ate outside at a favorite Mexican restaurant, and the courtyard was all decked out for Halloween. The kids loved the big jack-o-lanterns as well as the skeletons and cobwebs that were hanging from the trees.

Halloween afternoon, posing next to their painted pumpkins.

a Lego Nexo-Knight and Princess Belle

(Garcia was going to play "the Beast", but he wouldn't stop playing tug-of-war with Harper's dress and I didn't want him to rip it!)

School Pictures--Part 1

When it comes to school pictures, I didn't realize how spoiled I was when both kids were at the same preschool for two years. Each time school picture day rolled around, I got an adorable shot of Ryder and Harper together to hang on my wall. Well, this year was different. Harper had her school pictures taken the first week of October, but Ryder's picture day was a few weeks later. I wanted to be able to post them together, but I've grown tired of waiting. :) Here is my beautiful girl, and as soon as Ryder's pictures come back I'll have to do an update!

I think they went a little overboard on the fall props, don't you? I can hardly see Harper!

Garcia looks great in tie-dye!

Puppy Love

We have adjusted to life with a puppy in the house, and the kiddos are completely smitten with little Garcia! He is the sweetest dog, and he loves to be wherever we are. Since day 2 he has done a wonderful job in his crate, and he now sits and whines by the front door when he needs to go outside to do his business. If only he would stop using my arms and ankles as his favorite chew toys...ouch! I know it's just the puppy in him, and I'm thankful he knows to be gentle with Ryder and Harper. He'll tug on their clothes when he's feeling playful, but he doesn't gnaw on them like he does on me! I guess I've forgotten how Ashley and Cody were as puppies...Andrew reminds me that Ashley chewed on everything too. That gives me hope that Garcia too will outgrow this stage sooner rather than later. Until then, we will just hide all shoes, socks, towels, rugs, Legos, etc. that puppies shouldn't eat. :)

Garcia loves riding in the car! He loves the kids' laps...

...or their car seats when they're not being used!

caught in the act!

Good thing he's so adorable!

This boy is adorable too!

Pops took this picture one morning at breakfast while we celebrated Ryder bringing home a certificate for being a responsible student. He has since brought another one home for being respectful. He is off to a great start this year, and we are so proud of him!

Lost in the shuffle

I just came across this blog post that I never published! I remember uploading the pictures, and then apparently I got interrupted and forgot to come back to them. Oops! I'm pretty sure these are from the 4th of July when we took the kiddos to a playground to run off some energy. Ryder didn't want his picture taken, but Harper was happy for Andrew to capture her in action! :)

There's my boy!