Conor's 12th Birthday

The never-old multiply-wrapped present trick.

Conor took 3 dozen glazed donuts to class for his "little" birthday.  Since he decided that the evening in advance, I had to go to multiple stores to collect them.  He wanted Krispy Kremes, but um, no.  Too expensive and nowhere near us.  

He's reached the age where he wants "big" presents, so he only gets one from us!  Enjoying his iPod touch -wishing he had an iTunes gift card.

Ari's "Little" Birthday

With Wynn home, four of our children now have birthdays within 29 days (9/30 - 10/28).  Because birthdays fall on weekdays and soccer days, and there aren't enough weekends to fit everything in, we handle the birthday marathon like this.  Each child has a "little" birthday on the calendar date of their birthday.  On this day, they get to take treats for their classmates, choose the dinner menu, have a small treat and birthday song with the family, and open a gift.  On some other day that fits in with the hectic family schedule, they will have their "big" birthday, which includes friends, more cake, and more gifts.  Gabrian and Ari are still young enough they don't totally hate sharing their "big" birthday.  That will be tomorrow.  Ari gets birthday cake, Gabrian gets ice cream cake, and they both get rowdy friends to jump with them at Jump N Party, an inflatable playground.

This is Ari's "little" birthday.  Stylish hat courtesy of Sunshine Daycare.

Conor, 6th Grade

23rd Consecutive Year Enjoying the Spokane Fair

I have some of the cutest kids in the world.

I really do.

I had to count that twice! Yep, 23rd year. The first year, Denise was Ari's age.

Andrew, Mandy, Conor, and (Conor's friend) Troy all avoided the camera and disappeared to "big kid rides." It was beautiful, hot weather and a wonderful day!

I almost forgot the obligatory "sleeping Ari being wheeled around" picture!

A New School Year

Gabrian - off to Kindergarten.

Thought we might as well label him so his teacher will know what to expect. :)

Cameron - 5th grade.

Conor - 6th grade.

Andrew - Senior year.

My boys.

Bend Over Peaches

It was a very, very busy summer. We only got to go to Green Bluff once. But if we had to miss strawberry, raspberry, and cherry harvest . . . peaches are the right fruit to catch!

Loft Beds!

The loft beds arrived! Sturdy (real wood) beds that will outlast the kids. . .

This is Conor's. He's finally off the floor!

Gabrian inherited the loft bed Conor had in his old room.

Cameron wished to keep his own loft bed - even though he wanted it over where Conor's was. It would have been much easier just to move the blankets, but we got to move furniture instead. :)

Ari's bed has a playhouse under it. Isn't this the cutest thing ever? I definitely would have thought so! Mandy and I had fun setting up the mini kitchen and nursery.

This is Gabrian's bed, which used to be Conor's. I put a curtain under it that he can draw closed to have a "fort." Cameron helped him knot the blanket/rope swing on. Someday, I'd like to exchange this curtain for a camo one or something else cool, but for now, I had a grey sheet available.

Hmmm. . . Interior Decorating Ideas?

I bought new picture frames for the kids' pictures, and I really like them. I just have no clue how I should arrange them on the wall!

Still Cute

Gabrian found a belt (a gold one of his sister's, but he never noticed that) and decided he needed to wear "work clothes" like Dad.

Our Puppy and Her Servant

Bath, Anyone?

Yep, it's true; I let my kids be kids.

Cameron's Birthday

He looks like he thoroughly enjoys turning 10.

Why Do We Have Furniture?

A new dog bed was immediately put to good use.

Costs less than a bed or couch, too!