my boys.

what's September without the flu?

Totally out for four days.

We watched a lot of Gilmore Girls and Peppa Pig and I finally blogged five months worth of life.

And someone got very skinny:

And in the end, I learned I would (not so) happily clean up puke in order to spend four solid days with this kid. He's that good.

sometimes we get lucky

and have a cross-country meet and football game in the same town

and then we spend our free time at Costco, eating all the samples and picking out our Christmas presents.

girls day at the game

Ed was coaching Jack's team at the same time the Cougs played so Ava and I planned a girls day at the game.  We didn't count on rain though.

one cute date

Henry took me to Starbucks for my favorite pumpkin scone.

He loves to order and pay and he's cute enough, he got a free cookie out of the deal.

Go Cougs!

these two.

Henry turns six!

Man, we love this kid.

Henry is such a JOY.

He is bright and sparkly all the time.  He loves (loves) Jemma, he shares a tiny twin bed with Jack every night, and he sits on Ava's lap every chance he gets. He loves any and all sports and has an insane memory. He is such a gift to all of us.

it's hard to play it cool when 50 people sing Happy Birthday to you.

(his face here)

makin' a wish.

king for a day.

togas!

Jack's got his fifth grade play already under his belt--this was a fun one and perfectly cast!

Volleyball!

Ava's doing both cross-country and volleyball again this year which makes for some long days but it's paying off.

So far her team is undefeated and she is perfecting her serve.  Last night she was 7-7 with 6 aces. I just really like watching her play!

First game of the season.

headed out bright and early.

his biggest fans.

taking a break after a tackle,

and lining them up on D: 

It's September!

And we spent Labor Day being tourists in Spokane.

we squeezed onto the kiddie roller coaster,

family bumper cars,

IMAX, gondola, mini-golf, Red Robin, and hotel swimming pool.

and we do love hotel hot chocolate.

The next morning was my choice--so Tubbs Hill and the first pumpkin drinks of the season.

they clean up nice.

Henry's first all-school ball.

I meant to just drop them off but the I could not walk away from all the cuteness and I found myself watching the whole time. 

Second Day of School!

because I can't help myself.

Jemma, with just a touch of confidence.

First Day of School!

Ava left for cross-country at 6:00 am but not before leaving these for the little kids:

Second grade and First grade!

We found Ava in the hallway!

(already sucking down coffee)

Henry was pretty nervous so finding Will was a nice surprise.

Fifth grade!

So happy to find Sara!

I LOVE the first day of school.

The only day my kids have ironed uniforms, perfect nail polish, and sharp pencils.

Ed left town and Jack had football but the rest of us celebrated the first day in the books.

(all day school can be exhausting)

one thing I know for sure,

life with this kid is never boring.

Lentil Fest champ right here

Jack and his buddies played in the Lentil Fest three-on-three tournament this year and after some stiff hoopfest competition, we had pretty low expectations but they won one game after another and ended the day champions!

perfection.

we waited all summer for this...

a week at the lake.

I can't even.

I could die happy right here.

Jemma and Henry spent days paddling around in the kayaks.

And so did I.

amen.

packing up and heading home and saying good-bye to summer.