Beautiful Weather

The weather this weekend was in the 80s! We spent a lot of time outside........ washing windows, raking and decorating the house for Halloween.

Our SPOOKY ghost!

We also went on a picnic and to the zoo.

Pete's Pumpkin Patch

Dakota, Bailey, and Mom took a trip to Pete's Pumpkin Patch today! Yes, Pete (as in Dad) and Dad did a great job growing pumpkins this year - 16 in all!

With 16 pumpkins to pick Dakota's John Deere came in handy! Dakota and Bailey took turns delivering the pumpkins to the front porch. Needless to say, we had pumpkins to share

Colors & Patterns

We have been working on colors and patterns at home. Bailey and Dakota are definitely tactile learners - especially when they are doing an activity they can eat:-)

Proudly showing off their necklaces and anxiously waiting to eat them!

50th Wedding Anniversary

Grandpa and Grandma Franklin's 50th wedding anniversary was September 17th. On Saturday, their kids planned an anniversary party in their honor.

The happy couple!

Dad and the kids enjoying the delicious food.

The kids love seeing their cousins! RyAnne had so much fun playing hide n seek with them! She tries to play it with Bailey and Dakota at home but they don't quite get the concept of the game yet! They always hide in the same place!

Dad and his brothers Randy and Jim.

It was such a nice party and such a reason to celebrate! Happy Anniversary Grandpa and Grandma! WOW 50 years! We love you!

John Deere

Dakota's most prized possession - his tractor-trailer (or so he calls it)!! The kid would drive around the house for hours if we would let him! He LOVES his tractor-trailer! When Mom mows he hops on it and chases her around. To top it all off- the neighbor gave him a John Deere hat to accessorize while on his tractor!

EEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOOO

Grandma Carter bought Dakota a fire truck bed and he LOVES it!

First Day - First Grader

RyAnne was SO excited to get back to school!

After hearing about a few incidences on the bus last year and then Dad telling Mom how at one of his meetings a friend of his (whose children attend Horizon and is a elementary principal in Sun Prairie) said he would never let his kids ride the bus - RyAnne gets chauffeured to and from school each day.

Happily hanging her backpack!

There was an assembly in the morning for the 1 - 5 graders and parents. She found her class line and listened intently.

After school when Mom picked her up she snapped a picture of her with her teacher - Mrs. Whalley. We sent it in to NBC 15 news and this picture was featured on the nightly newscast.

RyAnne said her first day was "GREAT" and loves her teacher!

End of the Summer Bash

RyAnne and her neighborhood friend have been begging us to have a sleepover since they met! We finally agreed to have an "End of the Summer Bash" the Sunday before school started and the girls had a blast!

First, they swam. Pictured is another little friend RyAnne met who is living with her grandparents across the street until they move into their new house. Missing in the picture - Bailey, who was napping.

Later on they played dress up - always a favorite. Dakota has no idea how we are going to embarrass him with this picture when he gets a little older! Love the blond curls!

Dad and the girls making smores.

Yes, we stole the tent idea - and it worked out great except that Dakota and Bailey bawled when they had to return to their beds to sleep :-(! The girls rented a movie and the light went out before 11 - not bad. However, we did hear some talking and giggling for awhile after that!

The next day the girls wanted to continue their party all day! Gosh, I can always remember when I had sleepovers I couldn't wait to get home and be alone. Needless to say, I never knew how much work it was for the Moms and Dads. Thanks Moms and Dads for all the things you did for us kids when we were young.....it was appreciated!

Winding Down

We have had a busy August!

Having ice cream and watching the ducks at the Memorial Union.....

Crossing the Wisconsin River on the Merrimac Ferry....
Going to the State Fair......Celebrating Dora's birthday........

Going to another Brewer's game..........

Going to the Henry Vilas Zoo and on a picnic - this duck sat by RyAnne begging the ENTIRE time......

Fishing.....the kids preferred to, "Go fast!"

and now it is all winding down. RyAnne brought her supplies in to school and met her teacher and Dad is already back doing inservices and had 6th grade orientation. It is sad another summer has gone by - however, the kids (and Dad) are ready to get back into a routine. If only the weather would always stay this nice AUGHHHHHH!

RyAnne's First Sleep-over

RyAnne was invited to a friend's house for her first sleep-over. Mom was a little hesitant at first, however, after talking with Dad and Grandma about it - who both said, "She will be just fine!" And then asking RyAnne about sleeping away from home - who shouted, "Yes! Yes!" and was jumping up and down in excitement. She agreed. Here are some of the pictures they sent to us of the fun!

RyAnne, her friend Grace, and Grace's Dad goofing around!

What sleep-over doesn't have a pillow fight!

The girls swimming.

RyAnne, Anna, Grace, and Hayden - all ready for bed!

Goodnight! Grace's parents put up a tent in the living room - it was so cool! Notice RyAnne in this picture - sulking. Yes, Mom was right, she got a little homesick and said she, "Missed her Mommy!" She called home and after a little pep-talk was fine. She was all smiles when we picked her up the next day and said she had a lot of fun!