9 months old

What do you do when you are 3/4 a year old?

Change your diet - eats what the family eats

even if you have to get it yourself

Attempt new skills

Suffer battle wounds from such attempts

(Yes, that is a black eye from a previous fall, plus the huge goose egg on her forehead from a second fall)

Explore new territory

and radiate an extreme degree of cuteness

Lake Elmo Camping

What happens when your husband volunteers to plan a camping trip with friends? . . .

A lot of work and planning, but it was all worth it in the end.

We went camping at Lake Elmo and had a lot of fun, 

so much fun that it sounds like we'll do it again next year. 

Good morning sunshine!

Spencer, Bailey, Henry, Beaux

The kids were in heaven. Freedom to explore the outdoors. 

There was a huge open area where they just played and gathered twigs, bugs, and whatever else they could find.

And of course, the fire is always the center of attention.

Preschool

PRESCHOOL

After dropping Spencer off at preschool for a couple years, and watching him go to kindergarten, it was finally Benson's turn to head to preschool. He is doing Joy School this year. Every day he kind of whines that he would rather stay home with me, but he always comes home with a big smile on his face and a lot to talk about.

Jumping for joy!

Kindergarten

KINDERGARTEN

All grown up and off to school!

Spencer was so excited to start school this year.

We are going to miss him at home!

Benson (and Lilly, notice in the window) really wanted to be in the picture.

Onto the bus:

I was super nervous for him to ride the bus. I was going to follow it to school, but I didn't want him to think I was going to be at the school when he got off the bus every day. The bus was his favorite part of the day. No carseat, and no seatbelts. When they went around the corner fast he slid across the bench - so cool!

 Waiting at the bus stop for Spencer to get home!

This is how he felt when he got home!! 

August

August kind of came and went in a flash. Kevin and Kay came to visit and we put them to work on the house. We closed on our house the day before the kids and I flew to Utah, the moving truck came the day after we flew to Utah so Brooks had a week to himself and a house full of boxes. He was an angel and emptied all but about 10 boxes. The house was pretty much all put together when we got back from Utah. (It was awesome!!!!) Everyone says I was crazy and that I would be looking for stuff for 6 months. Even if I am still rearranging the kitchen it was a HUGE help!!

In between our cleaning, painting, and fixing little things on the house we managed to celebrate my birthday, soak up the last few weeks of summer, go to the Great State Fair, and get ready for school.

Beautiful St. Croix River at dusk

Minnesota State Fair
(We took one picture and then forgot to take more, we were having too much fun!)