40 reasons you haven't heard from me...

There are at least 40 reasons... but the 40 little toes and fingers at my house have kept me pretty busy. But as if 40 little toes and fingers weren't enough there was the start of first grade and a whole new schedule for the entire family. But again...why stop there...Jared has decided to take a job teaching at Northwestern University in Chicago as the Assistant Director of Prosthetics. We will be moving to chicago in three weeks and closing on our new house just a few days later. And to add to all of that excitement we have even caved in and decided to become a mini van family...for all of you who know us well...you will understand what a big step that is. All of these fabulous changes have taken us by storm and we are spending every waking moment working towards what is coming. We will be back in touch as the world slows down just a little...but until then, there are enough new pictures being posted to last you all until then! Cheers!

A family tradition

Apple picking has become a family tradition at our house. The end of september or beginning of October has become the time where we all pile in the car and head to the apple farm. We buy our bag to stuff with apples, jump aboard the open air bus/trucks and head out to the orchard. Everyone humors me for almost five minutes to get some pictures and then we get down to business...to eat as many apples as we can and then stuff our bag with the best kinds. This year Addie was the one who thought apples were an accessory and you couldn't be without one for even a moment. But they all love apples so they ate their share. It was a beautiful fall day and was completed with the traditional apple cider and apple cider doughnuts...yummm.

3 months old

I can't believe how that three months have passed since Andolyn was born. It has flown! She is just the sweetest baby in the world. I can't get enough of her. I love to hold and snuggle her, and there is something about her looking so different from the other kids...it makes it magical to look at her and realize she is mine! She is actually starting to look more and more like the other kids as she fills out a little, but she still has her darker skin, dark eyes and a head full of dark hair. She's my little angel.

Something magical about a mask...

We went to a friends clown birthday party and the kids had a great time deciding what they wanted painted on their faces. I'm always so impressed with what our favorite clown Merilee comes up with when she paints!

2 month old

these are a few of the pictures of Andolyn taken at 2 months so you can see how much she is growing!

First day of first grade

London is now a big first grader. She leaves on the bus at 8:20am and doesn't come home until 4:20 pm. She is loving school and can't wait to get up to her alarm and get on the bus everyday. She is a social creature who can't get enough of being independent at school. We are so proud of her and all she is accomplishing! And i'm doing better than expected with the new schedule and getting lunch packed every night!!

Our final Ho-rah at the beach

On the east coast there are strict rules on when you can go to the beach, wear white, take vacations, what hours you work and what time you turn off your lights and go to bed... no joke. People out here are like clockwork...it's amazing. So we took advantage of one of the last weekends of beach season. The first weekend in September marks the end of the season and the beaches, board walks and beach towns literally close down for the rest of the winter. So we headed out kids in tow and spent the best evening at the beach. We picniced in the back of the car and arrived at the beach at 5pm...just as the rest of the beach goers left...like i said they are like clock work. We had the whole beach to our selves and played until it was dark and then walked the board walk. It was magical. So many people and lights and activities. Addie loved playing in the water, London and Cam enjoyed it as well and ended up in their suits sitting in the surf and Andolyn was mesmerized by the bright lights after dark.