Rylee's Bday

                                      

Rylee wanted an expensive present for her birthday so she was willing to forgo a big party.  The funds we saved (plus going halfsies with Gaga and Papa - thank you!) bought her a beautiful pink iPod.  :)

She got some other great presents too like these pjs and these snackeeze cups (there was even one for Jace!).

We had a small pool party with Miller, Mason and Madison to celebrate.

It's hard to believe she is 7 already!  

First Day of School

The kids were excellent on the plane. Jace even napped for a bit. Traveling is so much easier now that they are older.  The iPads help too!

I went back to work a few days after we got back, but the kids didn't have to start school that week so they got to spend their days with some generous babysitters and friends.  First, it was crafts and fun with Diane and her daughters.  Then, pool time and playtime with Jessica and her sons.  (Jessica wins babysitter of the year award because we were in major poop training mode for Jace so she had to take him to the bathroom 7 seven times... in and out of the pool and wet swim clothes!)  After that, it was a day at the museum with Sandy and Madison.  Last, a day with Jon that included sneak a peeks at both kid's schools. 

Finally, it was time for the first day of school!

August - Goodbye MN

So there are two reasons for my lack of blogging:
1) being back to work has really put a damper on my free time (shocker!)
2) my camera broke back when we were at Cedar Crest

So I'll do my best to recap with the few cell phone pics that I have (and with what little I can remember about the past few months!).

The last week was saying goodbye to friends and family.  Here's a pic of the kids saying their final goodbyes to Megan and Max.  It's always hard to leave them!

We also hit the county fair where Jace finally discovered a love for rides.  We ended up buying him the unlimited ride bracelet just like Rylee.  Hopefully this means he will actually have fun at his school's carnival this year (last year he refused to ride anything).

After seeing all the delicious treats at the fair, Rylee asked Gaga to make milk-free funnel cakes.  Yum!

The last thing we did before we left was Rylee's dance performance.  She wore this cute little outfit from her cousin, Maddie, and did a dance/gymnastics routine to "DJ Got Us Falling in Love Again." She did amazing!    

That's what I can remember of our last week.  :)