Ava's first day of Preschool

I should be over this my now, but I am NOT. My baby went to preschool. Now, for 2 mornings a week, I am kid free for 2 1/2 hours. I SHOULD be excited...but I am not!

Ava got to go with her best friend and cousin "buggy"

Getting ready to go in with their backpacks and all!

Hanging up their backpacks

Picking their name off the board. (Ava pointed to Halle for her name...that's why we are in preschool duh?)

Ava and Buggy playing with the train

Schools out!

Getting in the car after that first BIG day!

Mrs. Sheppard is the best preschool teacher in the world. She is retiring. We are sad. She has been teaching for years, and had Jordan and Lexi too. We love her!!

Goodbye for another year...

Labor Day is the last time we get to go to Jolley's. This time, grandma and grandpa, and Liz and Jared's family came along for the fun.

Grandpa and Ava...relaxing in the shade at the park.

Mom, Jared, Liz and I watching the kiddos at the park. (I love this picture of me..reminds me of what I *used* to look like)

Lexi Sliding down the Water

Jordan sliding

Lexi and Sawyer at the Park

Ava and Lexi in the River

Ava and Ellie at the park

Jordan playing Frisbee at the park

Ava and Lexi in the River

Fishing

Back to School Breakfast at the Bus Stop

This is turning into an annual tradition. We had so much the first year we did it, we decided to keep it going. The bus stop is in front of our house, so it is really easy for the kids to come and eat breakfast before the bus comes. We usually do it after school has been going for a couple of days. The first day is always an adventure in and of itself without a breakfast.

We have cinnamon rolls, muffins, fruit, bagels, juice and chocolate milk. The kiddos seem to really like it!

Thanksgiving Point

When Jordan and Lexi went back to school it meant that Ava was home alone, with no one but mommy to play with. I like to think I am fun to play with. BUT I am not a "friend."

Ava met her "new best friend" as she liked to call her. Her real name is Natalia, but Ava calls her my new best friend.

My sweet friend from work came up with the great idea of getting our kids together and doing something fun. They had a blast, and were immediate "friends."

They loved rolling down the hills to the waterfall.

They learned about the animals, and how milk was made

They ate lunch together

They rode the horses

They looked at the ducks

They even went to "jail"

They saw all the animals

They even rode the cow!

The Big Day

There is always so much anticipation for the 1st day of school. The outfits are picked out the day before and starred at all night. The breakfast is chosen. The alarm clock is set. Is there any wonder why on the 1st (and only the 1st) day of school the children are out in PLENTY of time for the bus.

Jolley's - The Park

I love camping at Jolley's for a number of reasons:

1.It is minutes away.

2. The River

3. The Park

4. The electrical and water hook-ups

5. FLUSH toilets (this list is not prioritized, or this one would be number 1)

There are a lot of things to do to keep the kiddos busy, and having fun.

Tag at the park

Hide and seek at the park (you'd be surprised at how many places there are to hide in a park)

Jordan is thinking, "Now, where could they be?"

Jolley's - The River

We spend hours playing in the River on a hot Summer day.