Strike a Pose

These two...

are constantly asking for pictures when they "pose" or have some of the funniest faces and expressions that just have to be captured!  What hams but oh so cute!!

Bring on Fall

The weather is starting to cool down (some days), the evenings are getting darker sooner, the leaves are changing color (soon), football games are happening -- FALL IS HERE!!  I love fall and today was one of the cooler days with an even cooler evening.  We decided to get some firewood and have a little marshmallow/smore night.

 The kids had a great time and I can't wait for more nights like this!  

GO PACK GO!

We are a Green Bay Packer family through and through!  Since today was the first Sunday of football, we all put on our green and gold to help kick off the new football season.

On the way to church, Cameron found his new hat and put it on unprompted.  Such a cutie!

And since Cam's new Packer gear is a Clay Matthew's shirt, he had to strike the traditional Matthew's pose...

 GO PACK GO!!

W-E-S-T-E-R-N! Gooooooo Western!

The last few years, we have tried to make it back to Macomb at least once in the fall for a football game.  We've been able to meet our college friends for some of those years, but this year, it wasn't going to work out.  So, we looked at the schedule, found an open Saturday, and took off as a family to WIU.

Our first stop was lunch at Aurelio's -- our most favorite pizza place!  We were especially surprised to find out they offered their awesome lunch buffet on Saturday's.  It was super yummy!!  Before leaving, downtown, we stopped at Gumbart's and bought Cam a new shirt to wear to the game.

We got onto campus and hit the bookstore before walking down to the field.  It was just about halftime (and free after that) so we watched the band and headed in for the end of the game.  Hannah was most excited about seeing Rocky and was glad they got a picture together.  Since it was early in the season, WIU was playing Quincy, and won by a ton!  But we still had a great time!  After the game, we made a quick stop at the fitness center before walking back to the car.  It was a fun afternoon of showing the kids where Mommy & Daddy met and went to college.  I hope we can continue to make a yearly stop here.

When we left Macomb, we made a stop in Springfield to eat dinner and hang out with my cousin's family.  We always love a chance to visit with the Rutledges and we enjoyed a nice dinner and talking time.  So thankful for them and blessed to call them family!

It was getting late, but we made a super quick stop into Scheel's to get Cameron a new Packers shirt.  We didn't get to stay long, but we did a quick ferris wheel ride before they closed.

It was a whirlwind Saturday, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  We had a great day together!

Preschool -- Round 2!

This girl headed off to her second year of preschool at Zion Lutheran Preschool in Mascoutah.  

Hannah was so excited that she was up and fully dressed (in a brand new outfit) by 6:30 this morning--and she doesn't start until 9:00!  This year, she will be going Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the mornings and is in Miss Amy's 4-year-old class.  I saw her grow and learn so much last year and I can't wait to see what this year brings!

A crazy face outside the school sign before going in.  What a silly girl!

In her classroom with her BFF Jackson.  Love that these two have been around each other since they were babies and still get to hang out a few days a week.

I'm so glad Hannah was so excited to start school today and I hope this is a trend that continues as she moves through school.  I pray daily that she not only learns new and exciting things, but that she develops friendships and shows Jesus' love to her teachers and classmates.  So proud of you, Hannah!

How Little Boys Dress Up...

 with a Spiderman mask, a cape, and a gun!  

Cameron's imagination is starting to really show through.  And I love watching it through playing dress up.  This boy thing is brand new to me and when Cam walked out with this, I couldn't stop laughing.  What a difference in little boys and little girls, and this one is ALL BOY!  And I'm loving it!  Can't wait to watch him develop his imagination and play more and more!

Family Night!

Once school starts, we rarely get a Saturday where there are no sports events or practices at KC and nothing else on the calendar.  When we realized today was one of those days, we took full advantage of it!  After nap time, we loaded up and headed to the St. Louis Zoo.  The kids went earlier this summer with Nonnie and Poppy, but we hadn't got to go as a family yet.  It was pretty hot out, but we filled up a big water bottle and made the most of it.  We saw lots of animals out and the kids had a lot of fun.  I love that there is so much to do in St. Louis and that we are just a short drive from it.  Here is our only family shot of the day.

 Hannah, of course, wanted to pose by herself -- even if she is being photobombed by her brother!

 Our last stop was the River's Edge area.  Cam got up close & personal with Mr. Hippo!

 And a little sibling love before leaving the zoo.

Once we left, we headed to the Loop for dinner at Fitz's Root Beer.  It was the kids' first time there and they loved the fresh orange soda!  So glad we had an empty day to spend as a family!