September

Wow, September was fun!  Looking back at the pictures makes me miss summer/fall already.  It was 25 degrees when I drove the girls home from a birthday party today.  Shiver!

At the beginning of September we went to Minneapolis to help out Nate's brother (Jeff) and his wife (Ebony) with their new baby (Maleki - pronounced Malachi).  I had the privilege of carrying him around in my favorite baby carrier!  We also seriously enjoyed taking in the delights of that fine city.  I think I tried the chai tea at at least three different coffee shops!

We ate Thai food, Italian food, Ethiopian food.  My belly and my heart were very, very happy.

Sad goodbyes!  I'm so excited to see then in a few days for Thanksgiving!

After Labor Day Elena started back up at Fantasyland Preschool.  She is in a M,W,Fr class, and loves it (and her teacher, Mrs. Turney) so very much.

It took Annika almost a month to get used to Elena being gone.  She refused to nap, and just loved hanging out with Mommy, alone, but was confused that her best friend was gone!

Um.

Elena took a soccer camp that met once a week during the month of September.  She insisted on wearing her Germany soccer jersey to every single class.

The camp was hilarious.  The kids were completely nuts, had no control over the ball, etc., but I'm so glad she did it.

I'm not sure if I mentioned before that my Aunt Diane gave me my Grandma's piano.  I found out from a piano tuner that is from 1951.  I love having a family heirloom in my home!!!

The hot days of summer slipping away!

 

We took advantage of our garden as long as we could!

Fishing in Aunt Sheila's pond/scum pool.

Getting ice cream with Auntie Kay-kee!

And camping in Iowa!!!!

The girls had so much fun getting together with cousins, and relations from afar.  It's so fun to watch them play just like we did back in the day.

We took a REALLY long (maybe 7-8 mile) hike around Lake Wappelo, and these two girls were troopers!  They hiked most of the way, only whining a little towards the end.  I was really proud of them!

The beautiful lake.

Thank goodness for strong Papas!

Our campsite.

Morning cereal!

Oh, my sweet, sweet Anni.

We also tried to eat as many suppers outside as possible before we had to take down our outside furniture.  Sadly, Nate put the table away today.

Elena learned to ride a bike!!!  She's not quite there 100%, but it was a great start.  I think in the spring she'll pick it up very quickly.

I had an Upper GI and a tube put down my nose for 24 hours to measure the acid in my throat/esophagus.  It was seriously awful, and I am hoping that I never have to do it again!  I'm really not sure that the results were worth it!

Nate played soccer with a team from work during the late summer/fall.  The girls and I went to almost every game.  Nate even had a hat trick for one game, which made us all very proud!

And to close out the month, one day we were in Peoria and decided to surprise Daddy with some Starbucks.  He was very glad for the afternoon caffeine burst, and always happy to see us!!!