Where did the summer go?

Seems as though I'm asking where the times goes quite a bit these days! A few times I started a post here, or had intentions to - only to be disrupted by one thing - or child :) - or another. So I thought I would try to re-cap some of our summer for you - and share some images along the way.

Early on, Aunt Drea and the soon to be Uncle John (aka Bubba to Quinn) came down for a visit - we went strawberry picking - well the adults went strawberry picking, Quinn and Keira ate! There's a great orchard only a few minutes from us - where they pick things from strawberries, rasberries, peaches and apples Summer and Fall. They also have a wonderful bakery right there, and a cute little shop with jarred items - - so it's hard to get out of there without some kind of tasty baked good to take home!

Obviously you've seen that over the 4th of July we headed to South Dakota and had a wonderful time catching up with Billy's family.

We took our first family camping trip in Aug. - the family of a friend of ours owns site in Vermont - it couldn't have been more perfect - a pond with fish, small beach area, electric and water at every site and CLEAN! The kids loved it - loved the tent, roasting marshmallows, and sleeping in their own sleeping bags!

Keira turned 2 in August - with a weekday birthday - we ended up celebrating it quite a few times! Hard to believe she's 2 already. Overall her terrible two's have been easier than Quinn's - but she can flare up when she wants to! Part of her birthday gift was a "big girl bed" - My Uncle Robert and Aunt Terri gave it to us as it was their daughter's and she no longer uses it. So I applied a quick paint to freshen it up, and put a few purple butterflies on it. We were motivated to try it, since Keira was having some sleep issues - not wanting to sleep without me basically --- so thinking it may get her excited - we went for it. She does love it - her crib is still in her room - but she has not needed to be moved to it at all.

Speaking of who's getting big....Quinn started pre-school this past Wed.! He was pretty excited, and stood proud with his backpack on. A bit disappointed that he didn't get to take the bus :) but very happy to see a special ride pull up to take him...Billy --- he came home from work and picked the 3 of us up, so we all walked Quinn in. No tears, a sweet smile, and wave accompanied by a "bye mom" ---- I was so relieved that he wasn't upset - that it surprised me that tears crept up on me in the car as we drove home....... as so many parents say --- my baby is growing up. Keira and I picked him up - and got a nice report from his teachers that he had a great day, and was a big helped cleaning up. He went again on Friday - and all continues to go well.

Ok a few cute stories ---

Quinn told Billy and he and Keira wanted to sleep in the same bed - Billy said no, and was asked why "you and mommy do" - so he explained to Quinn that mommy and daddy are husband and wife, and that he and Keira were brother and sister. Quinn responded - "well when we get bigger, Keira and I can be husband and wife and then we can sleep together too!"

Interesting questions from him .... Are we on a planet? Why do people have different skin? and an occasional strong request...."why don't you do what you want to do, and I'll do what I want to do!?!"

Keira asked me if Billy was sleeping one morning. I told her no, and said he was at work. Her eyes lit up as she practically sang out "Daddy's gonna get sandwich!!!" ---- I couldn't stop laughing --- Billy often stops home at lunch time and has picked up a sandwich at a local shop....observant little thing! It's now a standing joke!

malmost = almost
mine'ts = mine

Potty training has begun too --- a handful of success - more misses :) but we've started! aagghhh the day of no diapers will be heaven!!!!!!

Lastly - we will head to Rochester this coming week to attend Phil and Michele's wedding!!! Quinn is the ring bearer - and I also am a bridesmaid. Exciting times...

Will put some pictures up to go with these stories shortly!
xxoo genine

*SHOWING UNCLE PHIL SHE WAS 2