Enjoying the Parks!

These pics are from three different days. Lots of fun!!

Basement Bathroom Renovation!

Well, we finally are starting the renovations on our three bathrooms. Our basement bathroom was just finished, so I thought I would post some before and after pictures. It was kind of a yucky bathroom with a scary shower. We took out part of a wall where there was this little, awkward space and made it one big bathroom. It turned out completely beautiful! We love it! Tomorrow starts the kids bathroom....

Recital!

The kiddos did an amazing job with their piano recital! Bart and I were so proud of them! Bart and Cole even did a duet!

Halloween

This year we had such fun! Getting the pumpkins from the farm...waiting until close to Halloween to carve because (1) I wanted Bart here to help carve (2) so the squirrels wouldn't eat the pumpkins (3) We wanted our exchange student, F, to have his first experience carving pumpkins. It was also his first time trick or treating....it was so cute to watch his excitement and then his awe at all the candy. :) The kids had fun picking their costumes and Sadie even made her skirt to be a cowgirl (thanks, Ashley for helping her). Makenna absolutely insisted on wearing her pink cowboy boots with her Snow White dress. Loved it! I love this time of year!

Happy Birthday, Bart!

Harder to celebrate without having him here on his birthday, but we were happy to celebrate a few days late! I love this guy SO much and am grateful for all he does for our family!

We're SO Glad When Daddy Comes Home...

After being gone for almost 4 weeks, the kids and I were SO excited to welcome Bart home for a couple of days. After being shy for a couple of minutes, Makenna, ran into Bart's arms and wouldn't let go for almost 10 minutes. Cute, but also made me cry. She is such a Daddy's girl.

Backpacking

Every year, twice a year, since we moved here, a group of women go backpacking. It's usually at a different place each time. They leave Friday at noon and come back late afternoon on Saturday. I've always wanted to go. But, each time, something came up...being pregnant, having an infant, Bart traveling... So, as our time is drawing to a close here, I knew I needed to find a way to go. So, Bart and I got his traveling schedule worked out so he could come home for a couple of days so I could go! Yipee!! It was SO wonderful! There were 7 of us that went and it was an amazing time. We drove three hours to get to Lexington, hiking Cold Mountain and Mt. Pleasant. The scenery breathtaking, the women incredible, hard but worth it. I came back feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Love these ladies! Thank you, Bart, for helping it happen!

Pumpkin Patch!

For the last several years, we've gone to the farm to pick pumpkins. Since this is our last year out here, the kids were more determined than ever to experience getting their pumpkins in our traditional fashion. Bart is traveling a ton, so we had to go without him this year. So, we went when we could, which was when it was raining. I thought we might miss the storm, but it started raining when we were about half way there. It ended up being ok. We were prepared and the kids had a lot of fun. We are having an exchange student coming to stay with us for a week from Costa Rica, so Cole was really excited to get a pumpkin for our new friend to carve when he comes (he hasn't ever carved a pumpkin before, so Cole can't wait to show him the ropes). Good times had by all!

Random Pictures

First time any of our kids have done this

Makenna has totally rocked potty training. She is pantless most of the time at home, but loves her Dora underwear. I'm super proud of her!

Egg carton lunches in a fort during the rain storm!

Wearing Mama's shoes after church