This past week...

 ...we went to a "High School Flashback Party" where we dress up in different high school clique attire.  I dresses as a cow girl and Ty as a "cool guy".  Please notice the earrings.  I couldn't look at him all night.  It was a little too unnerving.  I wish you could have smelled him too.  He made sure to put on extra cologne.  We made quite the pair.  We ate cafeteria style food and played games testing our high school knowledge.  Thanks for the fun party Hatsuho!

 ...we celebrated my 29th birthday.  Mckinlay bought me nail polish (of course!), and Ty and I got to go out on a much needed date.  I think this week was the busiest week of his life, so it was nice to have a night to spend together.

 ...someone had a very muddy soccer game.  

{I kind of think those are the funnest kind.}

 ...we cleaned up some big messes.

{which never seem as bad when they are made by cute little stinkers}

 ...we finally explored the river right by our house.  Remember how we've lived her for over 2 years and haven't been there yet!?

...oh yeah, and someone came home from his mission!!!  Wahoo!

Welcome home to my little BIG brother!  We love you and are so proud of you.  Can't wait to see you at Christmas!

"Legs Loveless"

 Mckinlay had her first soccer game this Saturday. 

It's been much anticipated for many reasons:

Molly is on her team,

Uncle Tyler {who will be home from his mission in 3 1/2 weeks days!} plays soccer,

& it meant she could wear her new shin guards.

I've started calling her "legs."  She is definitely the tallest kid on her team.  If the hat blonde hair doesn't give her away, the legs do.

Liza seems to like this whole soccer thing too.  She gets to snuggle up, eat snacks and cheer for "Sissy.

Preschool

 Yesterday was the first day of Preschool for Mckinlay.   

To use the word excited would be an understatement.

{is it just me or does she look really, really old here?}

She had an orientation day a few days ago where I got to go with her to met her teachers and to see her new classroom.  You can see below how awesome her classroom is.  Everything is sparkly and new and to be honest -- I'm a little jealous she gets to go everyday.

 

Yesterday morning we had a special first-day-of-school breakfast.  We had heart shaped cinnamon rolls with sprinkles on tip.  When she say them she said "this really is the best day ever!"  She also got to open a back to school package sent by Happy Jo.  

Right when we got to school she saw her friend Molly.  They ran straight toward each other and hugged and hugged.  It was pretty darn cute and fun that they were able to walk in together.

We got her backpack and coat hung and she was ready to start!  

It's gonna be a great year.

{a very windy} labor day.

 It feels like fall.  

What better way to welcome it in then spending a cold windy day at the beach!?

We had been planning a big beach day with friends for weeks, but apparently Mother Nature wasn't aware of our plans.  It was about cold and so, so windy.  But you know, it was lots of fun!   

We're lucky enough to have Grandma and Grandpa here for the week {so they had to come}

and we even had some other "die hard" friends come along!

The kiddos didn't seem to mind the weather.  The little boys even swam -- although it was probably warmer in the water than out of it!?

Thanks for the fun everyone!  It's was a great way to end the summer. 

{and maybe it's a good thing summer is over because someone has outgrown her swim suit!}

Now bring on the fall!  

And that means schools starts!!

Road trip with the Mckins

A few weeks ago we met up with my brother and his family for a little road trip.  We drove to the Indian Dunes National Lakeshore which is along Lake Michigan.  We shared a big hotel room and just played for 3 days. 

The first two day we spent at the dunes and the beach with a stop at a candy factory in between (They are serious when they claim to have the world's best gummies!).

The third day we drove out to Fair Oaks Farm.  It's a HUGE dairy farm with a section that has been turned into a family adventure park of sorts.  It was awesome!  We toured the farm, rode a train, jumped on the coolest trampoline ever, and all sorts of other things.  The biggest highlights were the grilled cheese sandwiches with fresh cheese, the fabulous (and FATTENING!) chocolate milk, fresh ice cream and watching a calf be born (so amazing!).  If you're ever in the area, we'd highly recommend a stop at Fair Oaks.