The Front Porch

New windows, flooring, trim, a fresh coat of paint. Travis made a cubby with baskets for each of us to store hats, mittens and such. He also made the awesome twine ball lights. He has gotten lots of compliments. Done in time for going back to school-yeah!

The last days of summer

We are all making the transition in the last few days from not being ready for school to start and to wanting to stay at the pool to loving open windows and fleeces in the fresh, cool morning air. We have had simple but fun last few days as summer draws to a close; trying to brush up on Kya's letter recognition by playing an alaphabet game on the sidewalk, raking leaves and searching the pile for coins and candy, making fun picnic lunches and buying Mums and fall scented candles at Menards (like acorn sage-yum!) to welcome fall. The kids have been asking every morning excitedly, "How many more days until school?" Only a few more days, have patience children.

Road Trip: Visiting Vermont/New Hampshire

(I can't post the slide show on the blog tonight? but if you go to this address you can view it.)
http://www.slide.com/r/NgAWhDsS0z_ITmAUjl5TeAobr1OyrB7e?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

Memories from the trip:
*The kids couldn't have been any better on the trip. They especially impressed us on the road. We're planning the next road trip already!
*Kya telling people at Niagra Falls that she "slept in the trunk" on the way out. Awesome!
*Kya eating 3 lbs. of beef jerky herself in the last week.
*Kya referring to Skylar as "Skylet" or "Scarlet" constantly.
*Therin being a great hiker-wasn't tired and never complained, set a pretty good pace too.
*Our trail names: Therin-Mule, Kya-Rider, Dad-Camel, Sarah-Rear.
*Mom and Kari getting an afternoon without kids to shop in Woodstock, VT.
*Travis using a sweet road bike of Jay's to bike into work with while wearing a climbing helmet and getting lost on the way home.
*No pictures after Tuesday afternoon.
*Loving the Marley's huge screen porch!
*Hanging with the Marleys and being spoiled by them! Thank you!!!!

For the love of skateboarding

Therin's friends (and brothers), Jacob and Lucas, both got new skateboards for their birthdays; so Therin inherited their old one (which they got second hand for $1). It's in pretty rough shape but he has lived on that thing since we picked it up on Monday. I'm pretty sure it'll need to be replaced by his birthday if he keeps practicing at the rate of 2-3 hours a day!! And he thinks he's pretty hot stuff too-you'll notice he doesn't have his helmet buckled in a picture or two because "that's how Tony Hawk wears his." Well, you're not Tony Hawk buddy; at least not yet....







There are some metal circles in a plastic plate screwed to the back of the board so it sparks if you drag it; yeah, he thinks it's pretty awesome! He wanted a pic of himself making sparks but it didn't happen so we settled for these today.