End of the Summer/ School Starts

We've had a full schedule this summer, not giving me any time to blog about it all.

Here is a huge mix of things we've been up to since late July...

Lots of playtime for Affie and Annie!

Random non-planned cuteness.

Ayden took an art class from my friend, Lindsay, 

along with Dakota and Erik

Ian wanted to paint a rainbow for his Primary (church) teacher.

He LOVES her. 

When school was about to start he said, "I don't want to go to school. I just want to have church school."

Monkey see, monkey do. (Afton's rainbow)

 Josh had a work conference in New Orleans, so we spent the first day/night with him.

We went to the Children's Museum...

Ian loved the kid sized Winn Dixie

We made the Idaho cabin, Grammy and Paw-paw!

What? Isn't this what I'm supposed to do here?

On our way home (without Josh), I got trapped in the exit lane and was forced onto the 55 North-which leads to my hometown, Ponchatoula-so we had a fun detour. We visited "Old Hard Hide", ate burgers at Bootsy's and drove right next to a freighter train while it blared it's horn through town. 

The best wrong turn I've ever made!

We LOVE our surrounding neighbors. There are lots of kids to play with.

We have what most people think doesn't happen these days. Our kids play outside for hours on end, riding their bikes and scooters, and just exploring their world. Here they are playing in the summer rain.

And here's the first day of school picture.

I couldn't get the backpacks in full view, but Ayden's is LSU and Ian's is Cars (again)

 I made Ian a kinder-mat cover out of "Incredibles" flannel.

He loves it!

 Ayden turned SEVEN! We had a "Ben 10" themed sleepover.

There were four girls and four boys, not including our own.

It was so much fun watching the kids enjoy themselves.

We had Ayden's favorite food for dinner- NACHOS!

They watched the Ben 10 movie, played games, did the traditional birthday celebrations,

survived the night, had breakfast pizza,

and made slime!!!!!!!!!!!

 Now something important to document. It is time to get rid of our crib.

It is a sad time, but also very exciting to know that we have graduated from our baby-rearing days.

This crib has held all three of our babies in four different homes. It will be missed.  

Last, but certainly not least, Josh and I celebrated our 11th year of marriage.

FYI:  Ayden was born on our 4th anniversary, which makes celebrating our marriage a little tricky. 

We did manage to go out for a lovely dinner and shopped around the outlet mall to celebrate.

I love you, babe! We are starting on our second DECADE of marriage. Watch out world!