Pumpkin Pickin' Time

We hit our local fruit and veggie stand this evening to pick our future jack o' lanterns. It's picking time!!!

Grayson found her this little beauty.

Here is one for Grayson!

Grayson gives his little sister a lift to the counter.

This is what Reagan does when you ask her to "smile" Let's get a closer look.... Oh yeah...there it is!!!! So pretty!

Happy "almost" Hallween.

Our Kindergartner...he's got the legs for it.

My sister always said that you know a kindergartner by the lenght of their legs. well...this kid has kindergarten legs and he is ready to roll!

He looks sad huh? Nope...just pretending!!!!! Check out the size of that back pack. His teachers is a twins fan too.

There's the smile we werelooking for earlier. He was so excited to get started.

At first when I realized we were mirrored in the reflection of the window I was disapointed...but now..I like it. It is kind of symbolic...we support our kids from the wings as they begin new journey's in search of their own hopes and dreams. Look at Grant smiling...he looks happy huh?

Here we are at the school. Grayson was very excited to get started. Kindergarten is going to be great.

It's catch up time...July 4th vacation and more....

Technical difficulties caused a bit of disorder...I know you will forgive me. The camera was shy over our 4th of july vacation but we got few shots. Sparklers are so fun....Grayson tried a behind teh back move scarring me to death and prompting a conversation of stop, drop and roll.

Probably not something Reagan will want to see when she is a teenager huh?

The turtle races in Nisswa were once again a great time. Reagan was a natural and cried when our turn was done.

See, not in the right order...She liked the sparklers but only about half way through...thens she was done. Good thing it hasn't been a dry summer or we might have had a visit from Smokey the Bear.

Please Mommy, can I have Smore?

And so the vacation ends and Reagan helps bring in the flags.

July 24th

Sometimes the best things come at the last minute.

It wasn't with out effort as Grant spent a full day and one morning trying secure Twins tickets to the Sunday Twins vs. Tigers game. It wasn't a win for the twins but one little boy felt like a winner after this great day.

On Sunday's they let the kids on the field to run the bases at the conclusion of the game. Grayson is in the back of the picture with the white jersey and red cap. He was running like the wind.

It was a great day at the ballpark!

Oh the places you will go!

The Graduate...
The anticipation of what is yet to come...the wonder of who he will be, how the world will embrace him and how he will embrace the world. Today we celebrate him and all his fellow Preschool graduates! I can't help it...that wave looks like he is practicing for running for policitical office. If you have ever heard him negotiate or justify you would understand. =)

The buds!

The original bud...Grayson and Jack have been in school together since they were infants!

Ms Kate...one of Grayson's 3 teachers. Ms. Kate loves Grayson unconditionally and we will really miss her next year.

Being lake people and gone most weekends it is easy to forget that while we are enjoying our "up north" family there is an entire world still moving forward right here. We stayed home this weekend and were welcomed with open arms back into our Tyne lane family. The rule growing up was no swimming until it was 80 degrees. Well...today never even hit 70 but my guy wanted to join his friends for a dip...and I let him. It was a right of passage...an acceptance in to the group of "older" boys.

It was just the begining of a day on Tyne Lane...

As if my little guy being loved and accepted wasn't enough you should see the out pouring of love for our dolly girl. She was walked, and carried and hugged and loved! So much patience from our friends of Tyne lane...so much love.

A game with the one he looks up to so much...

Today she was the dolly of Tyne Lane...and we couldn't get enough.

It's a bird...it's a plane...no?

It's Grant inspecting our roof....if you think this looks high you should see it from the backside. Walk out basement scary high? YIKES! The verdict...looks like we need new shingles...some hail damage too.

Our first Pinewood Carnival

It was one of those evenings when you realized you weren't in Kansas anymore and the ruby slilppers were just around ther corner. We spent the evening in a strange new place called Elementary School. How did we get here...when did it happen? Time has passed and Grayson is 5 years old. He is so ready for kindergaten. We had a hot dog dinner in the Cafeteria/Gym and talked about the days when he is actually in school and what it will be like. We were so lucky to be spending our evening with our good friends whose children are very close in age to ours. In fact...there are only 3 days difference between these two cuties. Long time friends and soon to be classmates...does it get much better than that.

Here are the little ones who are only a couple of months apart. There is just something cute about sharing ice cream. Their older siblings did the same thing when they were that age.

Here is the group....roughly speaking you are seeing the class of 2024 and 2028!

We didn't get a chance to do many games but face painting was on the agenda...Grayson's pick...football!

We saw some of our neighbors tonight as well and were very lucky to spend some time with our next door neighbors. Our neighborhood is full of wonderful kids and the cream of the crop are right near us! Elliott and sister Emma (not pictured) are wondeful to Reagan and Grayson. It's a good thing Elliott has two hands...the Robbins kids were not going to be left behind.

Thanks for a great night Pinewood and all who attend or are about to.