Tonight we not only got to do some sweet trick-or-treating, but we also got to be in a neighborhood parade!
Several of Caitin's school friends were there, and it was great to see them chattering and parading through the neighborhood. They were all so excited to be dressed up and the
Back in...May(?) I informed Sarah that I was done working on the basement for the Summer. She was not very impressed, but indulged me. I was a bit burnt on the project. We had a great summer, despite the disarray of the house.
Of course...in order to get motivated, I had to buy a tool. I've always wanted to be able to shed some good light on my work. This was crucial in the new and yet-unlighted closet.
Here's how we spent our Summer:
Now that it's time, we both got in on the action. Sarah painted the wall to eliminate that hideous green before I continued the framing and sheetrock processes. There is still plenty to do, but I'm leaving the walls open in the framed condition while we figure out the electrical components.
Yesterday I found myself two boards shy of being able to finish the framing on the west wall. Two boards...
This game closet is ready for primer and then shelves. Again, Sarah...your turn.
Jamie has one of those coveted "Just before Christmas" birthdays. Really, for the first three it didn't make any difference, but for the fourth, it was time to step it up to a party with friends. We planned to do an "un-birthday" at the 6-month mark, but as it turned out, we were busy right through July and August with all kinds of good and fun things...except un-birthdays. Finally, the week before Caitin's birthday, we made it happen!
We stole the Kitty-Theme idea from a party that Caitin went to last year, and made a little obstacle course that each kitty had to navigate. All the kitties cheered (meowed) each other on:
We also held a kitty photo-shoot.
Jamie had a great time, and I think her friends did too.
They decorated kitty cupcakes,
...dressed up like princesses,
...and ate a Star cake.
Caitin saw how much fun Jamie had, and her plans to have a quiet little party completely changed. Instead she had a pizza and swimming party! It's probably not very often that we will be able to do that at the end of September, but the weather here was perfect for it.
We did NOT have a cake at Caitin's party. She wanted banana splits instead. We did NOT have banana splits at Caitin's party. We forgot to buy bananas. We DID have ice-cream sundays, though, and plunked the candles right down in the ice cream. Aaaaaannnnd...we forgot to take pictures.
Yesterday we had a great day on the lake with our friends, the Allens. It was a no-rush day with plenty of sunshine, and tolerable traffic levels. We had fun.
We were proud of the kids for trying new things. Caitin and Brynnley both water skied. They were awesome! Of course, they didn't do it without some worry and hesitation...and a bit of bribery was laid on the table.
The wakeboarding was great. We all tried new things. I could go on and on...so just watch the movie:
Here are a few shots of my backroll attempt of the day:
