Late August and September

Our computer crashed, so I've been without a way to download pictures for quite some time!

We finally got a new laptop and located the photo editing software - soooo - here are some pics with as much commentary as I can pull off at 10:30PM on a weeknight...

 

Eli turned 3 on August 31st.  He wanted a 'farm cake'. I attempted a barn, but the silo was not cake worthy, but still was edible...  Eli enjoyed the cake and the party!

 

Big brother sneaking in a turn at the candles...

This next picture is for grandma - remember the truck that held up that barn that we always saw on one of the drives (to the cabin or grandma's??) I actually had to rig a graham cracker (Andy's idea)and a heavy object to support the barn overnight, but it made it until party time!

Ben is now a school ager! He had his first day of Kindergarten - and did very well!  I asked Andy if there were any tears at the drop off - He said "I'm pretty sure Ben didn't cry - not so sure about me..." Awww...

Ben joined a soccer team and is loving it! He has scored a bunch of goals and really is improving his soccer skills!

Eli is doing the 3 year old version of soccer - Little Big Kicks.  They mostly play games and run through an obstacle course, but he loves it.  It took him a bit of convincing on the first day to join in the fun, but now he loves it!

We hit the Enchanted Forest with Andy's WHOLE family.  The boys had a blast and are really starting to remember all of the little segments from the last visit and they really love the slides.  This year the boys even did the bumper boats.

 

 Eli's little soccer team...

Lake Time!

The cabin has earned a new title: Potty Camp 101!!!!

After several days and a LOT of laundry, Eli has mastered the potty chair!  Thanks to help and enthusiasm from everyone preset!

We had a great trip filled with great food, boat rides going over 'big waves', 4-wheeler (or 4 Leah) rides, lots of wooden truck time, bubbles, and swimming - Ben swam 'by himself' for the first time - letting go of and letting the life jacket take over in the lake - with a lot of kicking and dog paddle movements.  The boys also enjoyed ice cream at Frosty's, and lots of puzzle and game times with everyone and grandpa's new electric train set.  They had a hard time leaving and have already requested that gma and gpa move to Oregon, or that we move to Minnesota (specifically to Hope's house).

Here are pictures in random order.  I'm back to work tomorrow for 3 days of in-service and Ben starts Kindergarten (!!!!) on Thursday next week, and will start soccer league this week (practice Tues and Thurs with games on Saturdays).  Phew.

 

Here's a pic of our little family from a lovely wedding we attended at Beacon Rock State Park for one of Andy's friends.

Mid summer hodge podge

 Eli eating an ice cream sandwich

Watching the big parade at the Old Fashioned Festival.  Yes, both boys are wearing headphones.  They can't stand the loud fire truck sounds, bit love to see them.  Eli calls them his "head ears".

 Little Ben waving at Big Ben the fire truck.  The driver gave us a nice thumbs up for the headphone idea!

 Ben riding in the Kid Parade on Thursday...

 Eli being towed in the kid parade

 Harvest from our garden

 Count 'em: 7 huge zucchini.

 Eli.

 One of the 2 loads of rock that Andy and I hauled from a Craigslist ad - for free!

 All of the rock!

 Nice visit from college roomie, Jeny, and her husband and girls, too!

 Ben started soccer camp today.  He tied for the most stars on his nametag for good work and participation!  Big change from the last soccer camp when he was 3...