Practice run

Jacob (and mom) have been practicing getting up to an alarm clock.  Jacob has been doing a great job.  Mom has some work to do.  This morning Jacob practiced going to the corner.  Nathan and I drove the van around pretending we were the bus.  It was a hoot.  He is so excited for school...the adventure begins on Tuesday!  For the rest of today though, we just enjoyed playing in the yard, riding bikes, and throwing the football.

Nerd alert

One of the most exciting things about your child entering kindergarten or having a child that can't keep track of his/her belongings is LABELING STUFF.  No joke.  I love to label.  And I found these super fun labels at Target.  They are waterproof & microwave proof putting the dymo to shame.  Well, not really.  But these are sure fun.  Mabel (or maybe Mabel's mom) is one smart lady!

Gracie and friends

She looks like a skunk, but she smells just fine.  

A puppy no doubt but will be trained in due time.  

She loves going for walks and chasing the toads.  

She's smart and sassy with a heart of gold.  

Although she's got really big paws to fill 

I know Ernie would be proud...she will fit the bill.  

Welcome to the family Gracie girl!

Hidden Haven 2013

August is flying by

Never a dull moment in the neighborhood

A perfect evening for dinner al fresco

Lake Julia

I realized that I had intended on writing something about August and I found this post as an unpublished draft.  Whoops.  Proves my point that August is flying by.  Early in the month I spent one weekend solo at my parents' place in order to "help" my Mom out with projects or anything she might need but really I just helped myself to a lovely weekend of recharging my own batteries and enjoyed hanging out with Mom and Dad.  Thank you Lin for taking my place in Hastings for the weekend!  We are heading home tomorrow after a beautiful week at Hidden Haven Resort with the Sinclair family (video soon to follow!) and a couple of days in Bemidji.  Jacob gets to stay a few extra days to squeeze out as much summer vacation as he can before life as he knows it is over and he enters kindergarten.

Miss Lydia

Sarah sent me this video - I can't rotate it (again, technologically challenged) but it is so worth it to turn your computer on its side and watch it.  My favorite moves are the head roll (:16) the stomping (:40) the hold in downward dog (1:00) and the belly pumping at 1:10 followed by the leg kick out to the side. As a former professional living room dancer I know she's got it. Mike and Sarah have a lot of sequence and glitter hair spray to look forward to.