Bowlin Beige

This year the kids decided to be superheros - Bat Girl and Captain America. Although, let's be honest here. Ainsley only wanted to be Bat Girl because she got to wear some pretty awesome boots.  And Parker only wanted to be  Captain America if he could get the shield that goes with the costume. But, no matter the reason, we had some very cute superheroes to protect us on Halloween.  But first we had to carve our pumpkins on Halloween eve! This was the first year that Parker was really interested in doing it himself. They both still have some trouble with the carving part, but they enjoyed scooping out the pumpkins and tracing their faces on.  Our neighbor's pre-trick-or-treating party!

Last weekend we went north to help get hunting camp ready for the season. The weather was cold and rainy, but we got a lot done and had a great time spending time with my parents and other family friends.  A good little worker! While he stacked wood, Ainsley swept the cabin. Clearing roads and jumping in puddles. She found a newt! My little tree climbers. A very tired little boy after a long day of work! A tired dog too! Making good use of our tailgating tents! A Fall day on the lake. Silly girl... in nothing but her long underwear! An early morning visitor.   On the way to school on Monday, Parker decided to draw some pictures of his weekend to share with the class. Sorry they are all sideways! This is the whole family (with hearts) and the porcupine that we saw at camp (apparently it's part of the family now).  That's hunting camp with a smoke stack coming off the top.  Parker carrying wood. ...

Our school did a photo shoot a few months ago for some marketing materials and my little bug got to be a part of it! I got my hands on a few of the photos - not sure if she'll end up in any of the materials but I'm happy to have these pictures to enjoy for myself! [Although she does have her fake-smile going on...]

Football season is finally here! We are so lucky this year that some additional friends have joined us as season ticket holders. And they bring a lot of kids with them! Our tailgates are certainly going to be busy this year.  Watching the team arrive Ainsley and Lyla Pretty soon he'll be too big for this! Showing off his "I Poop Purple" shirt to Duke Dog These goofballs always want to play in the back of my car. What a great group of future Dukes!

I didn't think four years ago that both of my kids would get to come to work with me everyday, yet that is exactly what is happening this year! Parker is starting junior kindergarten and is so thrilled to join Ainsley and I at Steward.  He is so ready for school, although he will need to adjust from his daily 3-hour nap to a shorter 1-hour nap. We'll have lots of early bedtimes this year!  I can't tell you how fun it is to be walking to a meeting and stumble across a class of ten 4-year-olds all rushing to hug me. Or to watch my daughter on the playground, teaching her classmates how to master the monkey bars.  I am so thankful that they get to have this amazing school experience, and that I can be a part of it too.  Parker with his senior buddies. Parker's JK class!

Yes, I realize summer is over and I've been very neglectful of my little blog. As usual, I had great intentions but life took over. Here's just a little summary of some other fun things we did (aside from our amazing trip to Scotland).   The kids got to spend those two weeks with Nana and Papa enjoying Vacation Bible School, swimming at the lake, hiking in the woods, and helping with the garden. Then we got to spend 5 more days at the lake later August - more swimming, s'mores making, fishing, and outdoor fun! And this time the dogs got to come with us. Blue thinks he found heaven!  He loves catching them but doesn't want to get too close. Not sure who is doing the fishing... No clothes? No problem! In July, Ainsley joined her cousins for two weeks at 'Camp Grandaddy' in North Carolina. They hiked, swam, camped, learned about butterflies, created a tree book, fished, made sailboats, climbed apple trees, star gazed, ...