Halloween 2010

This year was a bust for costumes. The kids had big plans, but I just didn't have time to gather supplies and help make them. About an hour before go time, Adam tried to put this together. It was pretty good for a last minute costume, but it fell apart 20 minutes later. Elli ended up being a midget marine and Amy was a cheerleader like last year. They all got plenty of candy and had a good time anyways.

Here Comes the Fifth Grade

Each year the elementary has a Halloween parade. All the parents line the sidewalk and take pictures as the classes walk by. Last year I went to the kindergarten center's parade and missed Adam and Elli. For this one year they are all at one school! It was kind of fun to shout out, "Adam, look over here!" or "Elli, give me a smile!" I felt like the paparazzi and got a few good shots.They all used their costumes from last year. It was another last minute scramble. Good thing I didn't throw anything away. Adam is a ghost buster again, minus the knee pads and brown pants.

Next Came the Third Grade

Elli was a witch again. She left her hat inside because it was too hard to keep on her head. Any little breeze would grab it and send it sailing.The hair is pretty scary though!

Finally the First Grade

Amy was Little Red again. She was supposed to bring out her basket. I thought I made it clear that that was what made her look like Red Riding Hood. She was pretty cute anyways.
She looked a little too comfortable in front of the crowds and cameras.

Annual Rain Gutter Regatta

Adam had high hopes for his boat at this year's Rain Gutter Regatta. He sculpted and sanded and painted his boat weeks ahead of time. Last year, he had the fastest boat and he thought for sure he had the whole competition in the bag.
But, his sail was too heavy and he cut away too much of his boat. It kept falling over and although it was the slickest looking boat, he lost every race.
It was so hard to watch him fail and to see the disappointment on his face when race after race, he got beaten. But, he tried his best and learned a lot about being a good sport I think. We don't really talk about it anymore though.

First Week of School

OK... This very fuzzy photo is the very first day of school. One of the kids was playing with my camera (which they know they aren't supposed to and no one would confess to!) and put the focus on manual. Even though it's out of focus, you can see the genuine happy, excited looks on their faces.

Only one day later, I figured out what happened to the camera. I took this picture on Day 2. This is the look I got from Adam and Elli. Already they remembered the monotony of going to school each day. Amy, still excited to be at school all day and ride the bus with Adam and Elli continues to smile each morning. Oh! And I started school this year, too! I am a full time student at the community college and it sure keeps me busy!

Last Summer Trip

We had one more weekend to go before school and we had nice weather. It had to be Philly. We tried walking around Independence Hall last year but it was too cold and we missed a lot of what Riley wanted to see. So, we parked the car by Trader Joe's and walked around the city making our way back over there.
We stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch and a treat and sat down to wait for our tour.

On the way back to the car we saw China Town a few blocks over. We walked thru part of it and it was pretty Chinese! Wish we had more time and could have shopped a little.

Meet the Motorcycle

Right before school started this year, Riley found a great deal on a motorcycle. He had been looking at the Triumph and talking about the Triumph and dreaming about the Triumph for long time. It was time. He actually won this one on Ebay.
Riley calls her Susan. The girls love to ride around the block but Adam and I are waiting until he has a little more practice driving it. And the flames will be gone as soon as we can have them painted over.

End of Summer Camp Out

We had "camping" on the summer list of things to do before school. School was close to starting and we still hadn't gone. A big group from the ward had planned a trip, so we couldn't refuse.
Adam finally got to use his pocket knife in the real outdoors.
The earphones look awfully out of place. Who let her bring those?
Luckily we found no ticks on those bare legs. Maybe we are too far north for ticks.

Please, Can We Get a Mouse?

We are mouse sitting for our friends again. The first time, the kids were a little bit afraid to pick up the mouse and hold it, but now they love to. Adam wants to teach it tricks like walking on a string. Adam asks all day if we can get one of our own. Look at that face. No, look at that hair! (on Adam)

Day Trip to NYC

We had a Saturday with nothing going on so finally decided to dive in and take the trip we kept talking about. We drove to Newark, NJ and got on a train. I thought it was cool how the ticket taker really punched the tickets like on Polar Express. We got off at Penn Station and just walked around. We made our way to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and lots of shopping. Adam was in heaven at the Lego store, Elli loved American Girl, and Amy had fun at Toys R Us. I grazed the sale rack at Anthropologie and Riley was the navigator. Not much buying, but lots of ideas for Christmas!
Riley heard about PopTart World on NPR and knew all about it, so we had to stop in. We got poptart sushi and a poptart sandwich. It was pretty silly. The things people make money on!

Fruits of our Labor

This is what we pulled out of the garden this year. I tried the butternut squash and it was pretty good! The watermelon didn't work, but we are having the spaghetti squash for dinner this week. Next year we are not doing squash or melons. They take up too much space!

Cooling Off in the River

We got invited to this quiet little, pebbly spot by a river and it's just what the doctor ordered on a hot day! We've been a few times now and even Riley likes to meet us there when he can. Mom's can relax and kids can skip rocks, float down the water, and maybe even get along. No DS's aloud.
Adam thinks he was pushing Elli, but I think he's doing the robot.

Making Pools

The first time we went, we didn't bring swimming suits, so they had to play on the edge. They each made a little pool and tried to decide who's was better.

Goin Shootin

Riley loves guns and loves to go shoot them. We went with our friends, the Hendershots, and had a rootin tootin good time!The kids each had a few turns loading and firing the rifle. Good to know some good safety rules and how to hold it, right?
Even little Miss Elli had a go.
This picture looks so red neck to me. "I got to shoot the gun today, Ma!"

Into the Night

We kept on shootin till the sun went down. Here's Adam and his friends, Jacob and Josh.
I thought this was a great photo. Maria is due in September. Pow! Pow!

Trying to get Back Home!

The kids and I just spent two weeks in Idaho (Riley joined us for the second week) and have lots of pictures to post! It was such a good vacation. I got to relax while my laundry was cleaned and handed to me all folded (thanks Nell and Mom!). The kids were reintroduced to family they didn't remember and we got to see most everyone we love. Even Riley said it was nice with all the "visiting".
Our trip out west was longer than we expected. We sat on the runway in a plane for an hour and a half waiting for a storm to pass over us. That messed everything else up so a day later and missing our luggage, we landed in Idaho Falls. Next time I'm packing a toothbrush in my carry on!
I'm glad the airports put in some play areas. Even my big kids had fun for a while.

The Clark Family Reunion

The main reason we flew out when we did was to attend the annual reunion. Only a few cousins couldn't make it, so we got to see lots of familiar faces and meet some for the first time. It was held at Hiese, a cool place we grew up going to with a hot pool, water slide, golf course, camping, and hikes. The men golfed, we ate so much good food, and most stayed the day.Whenever there is water, there is trouble. Aunt Tess brought water balloons and there was an ongoing battle through out the day. Uncle Lane was a fun target, but beware! He'll get his revenge. Several big kids ended up soaked in the kiddie pool.
Don't do it!!

Visiting and Kiddie Pool

The weather really was perfect. I guess IF has had a pretty cold summer, but it was a nice change from the humid PA heat wave. Here is the circle of chairs to relax and watch the kids play.Someone smart brought a little pool for the youngens, while some of us went to the big pool and slide. There was a cute little scream to go along with that big smile!
Hey! What's that big kid doing in the kiddie sprinkler? I think he's trying to fill up a water balloon.
These girlies are my cousins kids, Addi, Marley, and Bailey.