Bridging to Brownies!

Elise had her bridging ceremony today to officially become a Brownie from a Daisy Scout.

All the girls giggled as they walked across the bridge!

Getting her sash from Miss Suzie (Elise LOVES her)!

Troop 364

Elise doesn't look overly excited here because she just found out that they were having ice-cream and she couldn't have anything because of her allergies.  She was pretty upset (and I felt horrible) but we amended it by getting an extra large slushy at the gas station :)!!  And all was good again.

Let the fun begin!!

The lumbar and cement being delivered!

I think there are over 40 bags of concrete and they weigh 60 pounds each!  So glad they were delivered. Instead of hand picking the boards this lumbar company brings it to your house, and we ordered a few extra boards, so anything left they will come and get! 

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

While eating dinner Lauren told me her tooth needed to come out (we were eating Subway sandwiches), so I grabbed a paper towel and tried to pull it out at least 3-4 times.  I told her it needed maybe another day since it appeared to be still attached on one side.  So, she said, "Hand that paper towel please..."  and I did, looked away for a brief moment and then heard her say "Got it!!"  and she did... the tooth was sitting in the palm of her hand.  She was laughing so hard at the fact that a) her mom couldn't do it and b) she did it!!.  She immediately started talking with a lisp and asking if she talks funny now!   She is officially growing up!

P.S.... I won't tell her that I know the lisp is fake!  wink...wink!

Baby Steps....

We had to remove a few layers of siding because the deck can't be attached to it... as the builders before did.

Under the 3 window the wood was rotted so we had to replace that.

The deck wood is all gone, plants dug up, moved some rock to other parts of the yard and the inspector ok'd the post holes, not my measuring or bending down closely to make sure they are truly 4 feet deep and wide enough but a quick glance at each hole and he was gone and said it was fine.... interesting.

This is the waterproofing material... it's really cool, because is seals around any nails/bolts as you build.  Next step... pouring concrete for the post holes this weekend.

Iowa State Fair

We went to the State Fair last night with Roger and Sharon.  We went because after 5:00 it's half price... well, we learned when we got there that Friday-Sunday doesn't count for that.  So we said Lauren was 5 and she got in free... is that bad??  Yes???  It only saved us $4 but we did it, we said she was 5!  We didn't have a lot of time at the fair but as always, it's fun to people watch.  If you ever feel bad about yourself.. just go to the fair and you won't anymore!  :)

Lauren being Vanna White to show off the huge pumpkins.

Elise just likes to pose!

It just wouldn't be a trip to the fair without going on the big slide... they were all giggles when they got done!

These horses were so pretty... there was a parade of horses pulling these beautiful wagons.

I think Lauren pet every single horse that she could in the barns... she loves animals!

Our food for the day included: Corn dogs for Eric, Sharon, Lauren and I.  Roger had a pork chop on a stick, Elise had a pork chop dinner, then we all split a crater tater (big swirly potatoes... fried of course), Eric had a roast beef sundae... I think Lauren ate half, it's roast beef on top of ymmy mashed potatoes topped with cheese.... , salted nut roll for the adults, chocolate vanilla cone for Lauren and a strawberry smoothie for Elise... and we were only there for about 4 1/2 hours.... but it was yummy!!

First Day of School

August 16th, 2012~  First day of school
Elise (7) starting 2nd grade and Lauren (6) starting first grade.

They were so excited to start school.  They have been asking for WEEKS for school to start.

Elise is growing up so fast, it's hard to believe she will soon be 8 years old and a full blown student.  She starts cheer leading soon and this will be her first season and she is bursting with excitement.  She has Mrs. Quam for her teacher.  She is also going to be starting piano lessons in September so it is the start of our busy season.

Miss Lauren is off to first grade with her toothless smile.  She is growing like a weed these days.  She has Ms. Arnold for her teacher.  She is starting on an all girls soccer team this year.  It has been co-ed up until now.  Her daddy is going to be the assistant coach this year.  She is rarin' to go.

The gang's all here!!!  With one new addition... Miss Caroline.
From Left: Nathan and Jayden Davis, Gabbi and Giada Grimes, Jeannie and Gia Bruschette, Elise and Lauren, Caroline and Ella Murphy

This was priceless.  Elise was sitting on Grandma Hubbards lap and she was scratching her back.  Elise ran and got a pillow to lay her head down and within about one minute... she was sawing logs.  It's amazing to me how they can run ALL DAY LONG in the summer and be fine and one full day of school totally wipes them out.  She was asleep in bed before 8:00!

Last Day of Summer

We had meet the teacher on Wednesday, dropped off school supplies and then headed to our friends, The Gourley's, for a little swim time and pizza.

Lauren lost a tooth!

Well... it starts.  It was bitter sweet for me (and Eric) as my little Lauren lost her front tooth.  I know that sounds silly but it's the end of an era for us.  She is our baby and growing up way too fast.  And once those teeth come out and the big honkers come in... it's just a face changer.  The kids seem so grown up and older once they are in.  She was so excited and talks with a lisp on purpose... there really isn't a big gap there :)  I love this kid with all of my heart!  She makes me laugh EVERY day.