Smores

We celebrated fall this past weekend with a fire pit. And, of course, you can't have a fire pit without smores!
Here we are roasting marshmallows and eating smores with our friends, the Harveys.

Turkey talk

Out of the mouth of three-year-old Clayton when we visited the turkeys at Lambs Farm...
"I eat turkey...but the plain kind, the kind without the face."

A family picture

We rarely take a photo of the 5 of us, but because we were having an extended family portrait taken for my mother-in-law, I th ought it would be a good opportunity. None of the photos turned out to be that "perfect" photo (if there is such a thing when children are involved), but at least we have a photo of the five of us together!

Caroline and Clayton's first day of school!

Last Thursday, Caroline and Clayton had their first days of preschool. For Caroline, this is year #3 at Christ Lutheran (which seems crazy to me!) This was Clayton's first day of any drop-off activity. He's only done a few parent-and-tot classes, but that is about it. I was quite nervous about how he would do because he has had some separation issues in the past. I was so proud though- he did GREAT! No tears. No hugging my leg. He just walked right in and started playing. I only got a hug because I went and grabbed him to give him a goodbye hug. Yeah Clayton!

Snuggle Time

I am almost never in pictures because I am always the photographer. A few nights ago, Kevin saw me reading and snuggling with Caroline and Clayton and went and grabbed the camera. Here is what he captured...a sweet, "everyday moment" with Mama and her boos.

3rd Annual Ice Cream Social

We hosted our 3rd annual ice cream social. We had a blast. 50 kids and adults in our backyard!

First train ride

I took the children on their first Metra train ride. They were SO excited and loved watching the train come in, hearing the train horn, the ding of the gates, etc.

Clayton was especially excited. He LOVES train gates. That's right...not the actual trains themselves, but the gates at the railroad crossing. He flips out with excitement whenever he sees the gates go down. He even "plays train gate" at home and pretends he's the gate, making all the sound effects and everything.


For the entire ride, Austin chirped in full voice "CHOO CHOO! CHOO CHOO!" (Of course, he can't say CH, so it came out as TOO TOO!)

We rode one stop to the McDonalds in Lake Forest. When we got off the train and it pulled away, Clayton burst into tears. He was only consoled when I told him the train would return and we would ride it again to get home.


Clayton next to his beloved train gate.

Visit to the Farm

I took the children on an outing to a working farm at Prairie Crossing.
They liked learning how a farm works, seeing the animals (as long as they didn't get too close), and tromping around the fields.



We saw roosters, hens, pigs, and sheep. At one point, Caroline spotted a rooster that had escaped from the pen. She started screaming "ONE OF THEM GOT OUT! AHHHHH!!!!!! It's going to GET me!!!!"
I don't think she'll be a farmer.

Austin, my vehicle lover, LOVED riding the tractor.

Caroline LOVED climbing the tree.

Clayton loved all the hoses, but I didn't get a picture of him admiring them. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Random shots...

Growing with Mr. Bear - Austin, 17 months

Growing with Mr. Bear - Clayton, 3 years old

Growing with Mr. Bear - Caroline, 4 1/2 years old

Post - spaghetti face


"I'm a good fairy."

"Nope. I'm a naughty fairy."

"Wait. I'm a good fairy again."

"Psych. Back to naughty!"