MIA - August Update

- Hunter turned 8 on August 5th.  Eight.  I say it every year, but I'm still in shock.  I did his birthday interview, but alas, he's that age where he made it very clear he did not want it posted on my blog OR facebook.  My first priority is that he knows I am trustworthy, and that I respect his wishes, so unforuntately, I will not post it here this year.  He had a birthday party at the Bowling Ally this year.  It was really fun!

His birthday and party were on the same day, so he didn't get to spread it out at all! 
We did practice the night before with a little cake!

Lunch at Pizza Inn after church before the party!

Picking out this cake was hilarious.  When we went he thought he wanted a fishing cake...not quite what we ended up with, but he loved this one!

Hunter's good friend from his 1st grade class was able to come.  He really enjoyed having B there!

- August 6th Ally got baptized.  It was such a precious evening with family and close friends celebrating her decision to follow Christ.

Love these two.  Can't wait to see how they change the world for Christ together!

- I started back to work full time the beginning of August as well.  This year, in an effort to work a more regular summer schedule, I am taking off on Mondays.  I can't express how grateful I am to work for an employer who values family and understands that I need to be home with my children on Mondays.  I'm so thankful that they are supportive of our decision to home school and have offered to support us in any way that they can.  It was a rough to get back into the routine of working, but I think things are smoothing out and I feel good about our routine.

- Kara and I took the 3 big boys to Six Flags on August 12th.  I'm always proud of them when they earn their tickets each year, and going has become a much anticipated tradition each summer.  

-  On August 15th I stayed up until 11:00 to register for my 3rd Annual Created For Care Retreat (you can read about my first year here, and my second year here).  I ended up registering two of my friends as well because 100 slots were gone in the first 15 minutes!  I'm so grateful that all 6 of our group got in this year...and as always...if you want to come next year PLEASE let me know!!


-  Fletcher had his first ear infection.  Poor baby.  He handled it fairly well...just wasn't sleeping (as if he could get any worse!).  He got big enough for an exersaucer.  The Smiths were kind enough to let us borrow theirs, and Pikie can't get enough of the pink teapot that it attached to a string.  He chews on it constantly!  We also moved him in with Graysen in her room.  She doesn't sleep in there because he still wakes up in the night, but he started doing better out of our room for sure.

Thank you to Jessica for letting us borrow her crib!

-  We soaked up the last few pool days available!

- We have lots of August Birthdays.  Obviously Hunter's is the 5th, then Mom's is the 19th, Charlie's is the 24th, and mine is the 26th.  We love August and all the celebrating we get to do (and all the cake we get to eat!)

Mom's birthday

Papa's birthday, down at the new firepit at their house

My birthday breakfast in bed from my wonderful husband.  After this surprise he sent me off shopping for the day with my mom, and then to the movies with my sister and Chad!

-  Graysen started back to pre-school.  I can't believe this is her last year at Solid Rock.  We just adore them.  She is loving being back there with her friends.

First day of pre-school 2012