September Highlights 2012

September was a busy crazy month

 I got to go to Connecticut with some of my friends to speak at a multi-stake youth conference. Afterwards we hit up one the most yum-a-licious burger joints I have ever experienced. Great conference, great food, great company :)

I had surgery

Twice

But it was worth it because I totally scored a Rolo McFlurry, AND got out of housework and diaper changing for a week :) Also just found out last week that all my pathology reports from the 2nd surgery were clear!!! Happy Day!

Our little bug-a-boo was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It's been so wonderful to connect with other mom's who have kids on the spectrum and learn about all the incredible resources out there for our children. Cam has been doing therapy 3 times a week and is doing amazing! He's learned so many signs, he's pointing to things, responding to his name, and working hard to make new sounds. Proud of our sweet little guy.

My awesome mama flew out to watch the kids so Taber could interview and we could go house hunting in West Chicago

The kids were in heaven with grandma here

They didn't want her to go

She's just too much fun!

 While Grandma was in NH, Taber and I were in Illinois. We got to hang out a little with my nieces and my sister Naomi! YEAH!! but mostly we were house hunting.

And after 4 days of fast and furious hunting, and 3 days of intense negotiating, we got a house!! Anyone traveling through Chicago is always welcome to stay!

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

We camped out in backyard for Labor Day weekend

We spent Labor day at our favorite beach in Maine

Teya started FIRST grade!

 Cam and Brinley high jacked Teya's Barbie Jeep while she was at school (several times) to go cruising. It's Cam's new favorite way to travel.

Teya learned to do a flip on the trampoline. It's terrifying because It looks like she's going to break her neck every time, but she sure is proud of herself. 

 And Cam found a new way to express himself without destroying my walls. Sidewalk chalk :)

So that was September, and now, I am almost caught up on my blog :)

Teya's first day of first grade!

Little miss Teya started first grade this year. 

 She was dressed as cute as a button on her first day. Taber went into work a little later so he could be there for the big event. Poor girl had both of her parents in full paparazzi mode. She was a good sport to put up with us :)

 Sweet little thing

When we got to school she found her best friend Mia.

 For the 3rd year in a row they got assigned to the same class!

It was a tough transition at first from half day kindergarten to full day school. The whole eating lunch at school thing was hard, being away from Brinley all day was hard, and the first bus ride was so traumatic that every time I even mention the word bus I swear she starts to cry. Knowing we'd have to pull her out and start her in a new school in Chicago anyway, I decided if she didn't want to take the bus, we weren't going to make her. 

After that first rough week she is now doing great. She loves her teacher, loves doing homework, and is a champ at all her spelling tests. Hope she does as well at her new school as she's done here. Proud of my big girl first grader!

One last trip to Maine: Labor Day 2012

On Labor day we decided to take one last trip to Maine, because we can never really get enough of Maine, it's our favorite. :)

We started with some beach combing in Perkins Cove

 The girls found lots of shells and shiny rocks for the buckets. Cam founds lots of shells and shiny rocks to put in his mouth. ;)

 We grabbed some ice cream and toured the cove, then headed over to Oqunquit beach.

Kisses for Mommy? please? (he's not having any of that)

 He'd rather be splashing in tide puddles. 

 Daddy will give me kisses though :) 

Love him

 My handsome beach boys

It was really a perfect day

That ended with a delicious Maine seafood dinner. Happy bellies = happy babies :)

Backyard Camping: Labor Day weekend 2012

On Labor day weekend we camped out in our backyard. There is no better way to camp in my opinion. You still get your fire, woods, bugs, tents and sleeping bags, but you are also ten steps away from electricity, microwaves, cribs, and cozy mattresses, just in case... ;)

We set up the tent earlier in the day to maximize the girls' time to play in it. 

Nestled in the corner of our yard, with woods right behind them. See...That's camping!!

Cam crashed early in the night, so we put him down inside the house, then we threw some logs in the fire pit and roasted up some hot dogs for dinner.

Everyone ate 1, except for Brinley who ate 2 1/2. That's my girl :)

We all stayed out by the fire (even Monty) talking, singing, roasting marshmallows and telling stories till finally it was time for bed. Someone had to be inside with Cam so I kindly volunteered to sleep on a real mattress and let Taber sleep outside with the girls. 

He texted me this pic in the morning. So sweet :)

Bright eyed and bushy tailed! The campout was a huge success!

Horseshoe Falls: August 25, 2012

Last year Taber (with the help of our friend Joseph) discovered a little water hole with a great rock for cliff jumping. We loved it so much that we had to go back again this year. 

I love seeing the smiles on our kids faces when we do things like this. Reminds me that you don't need to spend a lot of money for your kids to have fun and make memories. A little water hole does the trick just fine :)

Cam was too focused on throwing rocks in the water to bother looking at the camera. 

Now he's looking!! Such handsome handsome boys :)

The kids loved going on a floatie safari with Dad. Look at Brinsies smile! Ah I love it!

It was also fun watching everyone jump off the cliff. Taber taking the plunge!

Even Mommy took a break from kid duty/camera duty to do a few jumps.

Flying Ninja kick!! Had to bust out my sweet moves. ;)

Cutie Cam dipping his little tootsies in the water

It was a great afternoon with some great friends!

Blueberry pickin' August 18, 2012

 One of our favorite summer traditions is picking blueberries at Parlee Farms. 

 The blueberries are always so big, plump, sweet and juicy! 

 Cam likes sampling them. He's a very good taste tester :)

 The girls are awesome little pickers and filled two big buckets this year.

 Meanwhile Cam was sampling. 

 And sampling...

Although he did take a quick break to pose for a picture. 

(And he really thinks he's smiling when he does that :)

After we picked berries we headed over to feed the goats and sheep. 

Blueberries and farm animals. What more could a kid ask for? :)