Another view

Here is another shot of the patio...we are just so excited to have it done. So, of course one finished project leads to... more projects, right?? Well, the bobcat really tore up the grass so we need to fix that and put in some landscaping around the patio. Chris is really good about being on top of things and getting it done....he's gotten better since college when he was turning in a paper at the LAST minute the day before we graduated! :)

Here is the old patio that the builders put in...and a cute girl too.

Our Little Town Parade

I love living in a little town for many reasons...I don't drive very far to anything (we only put on 5,000 miles on our Pilot last year!), the police are very helpful (they came twice last year to open my car door when I locked myself out...oops! oh yeah, and one time it was when Lizzie was INSIDE the car!) and for the annual parade and festival!

Lizzie, Ali, Aiden, Jack and Avery waiting for the parade to start...We were more prepared this year and brought bags. What for? You might ask...well...all of the parade participants pass out CANDY! The girls brought home so much candy..they were very happy!

Apples and Ferries

On the way home from Apple Picking we took the ferry across the Mississippi River (or wait...was it the Missouri River?) I think the last time I was on a ferry was when I lived in Costa Rica and regularly had to across the the water on a ferry to get anywhere from my little town. While we were waiting for this ferry, I looked around our car at my sweet husband and beautiful children and if I could have seen my future when I was in Costa Rica (where I was a bit lonely at times) I would have been SOOO happy! So, I need to remember to appreciate ALL I have now...I am so blessed.

We got some good apples this year but the blackberries were all gone...too bad! But it's just fun to start some fall activities and finally get to be outside again. This summer was SO hot!

I love this picture because Ali HATES apples and I made her pretend to pick an apple just for the photo! She is crazy because she hates apples but LOVES applesauce, apple juice, apple pie, and freeze dried apples...my crazy picky eater!

House Projects

For 3 summers since we moved here we've been talking about a patio in the back yard...we finally did it! The patio was poured last week, we put our new furniture together, and the pergola is almost done! (It just needs to be bolted down and to have the canvas on top of it.) We are so excited to have an outside area now!

This is a picture to motivate me next summer...I will try to NEVER let my garden get like this again! It makes me so sad that I let it go...the weeds were insane this summer and I just didn't take the time! SO, next summer my goal is to actually get some great veggies again!

Our trampoline broke! But the company sent us a new frame for free so Chris got to take apart the old one and put the new one together....Chris, thank you for putting in 9 hours of your weekend time AGAIN!! You are such a good Daddy! :)

Just can't wait for Halloween

Over the summer everyday Lizzie would ask, "Is the Dorothy dress clean?" A lot of times it wasn't because she wore it every chance she got...So we watched "The Wizard of Oz" and the girls were inspired to be Glinda, Dorothy, and of course I got to be the Wicked Witch! (Nana made both the Glinda and Dorothy dresses...Thank you Nana!!)

Both girls are already starting to talk about Halloween and get excited for it! I absolutely LOVE this holiday now that we have kids...it is SO much fun!