Hide and Seek

It was a beautiful night out one day after school so the kids and I decided to go get some pizza and have a picnic at Flora park. We ate and played on the playground for awhile. Afterwards, we played hide and seek in the trees. One person turns and counts and the other ones run and hide behind the trees and when the person it isn't looking they try to run to another tree until they are caught! It was a fun night. 

Kids

Karely

Josie

Connor and Emma

Tessa

Bed Time Stories

Now that Tessa sleeps in a big bed on the bottom bunk, she has lots of room to move around! One of my favorite times is at night when her big brother reads stories to her. Then outside the room you hear giggling and laughing!! Though Connor has a bed on the top bunk, he prefers to keep his little sister save and sound by sleeping with her on the bottom!

September Gathering with Grandma and Grandpa Berning

September was our turn to host my parents for a night of dinner and games. It is part of their Christmas gift from last year. Each month a different family host them over for some family fun. The kids look forward to our months throughout the year. Our night started with a supper and the girls set the table with much excitement. After dinner and dessert, it's time for games. Each kid got to pick the game that they get to play with everyone. Each game usually goes a couple of rounds! It is was a very enjoyable family evening. The pictures start from the end of the evening to the beginning!  

Grandparent picture with the kids

Connor's favorite game to play is hockey against Grandma Berning. It is usually a good battle .

Emma's game was Kids Sequence. Wilson joined us towards the end of the evening.

Josie's game was UNO.

Gandpa and Josie and Emma

Grandma and Josie

Karley's game was Penguins.

Thumb wrestling

Connor playing Grandpa in checkers before dinner

Enjoying some apple cake for dessert

The table set by the girls.

Go Fish

Fishing is something our family enjoys doing, especially the boys, but this fishing is for everyone. The kids have made up many forms of "playing fishing". In the summer, it was in the water and one person would sit on the edge of the pool while the other ones were swimming around. The fisherman would cast the "noodle pole" in and wait for a fish to come by and get caught. This night they were playing fishing in the front yard. Josie made a pole out of a stick, string and a link. The fisherman is on the sidewalk or drive way while the fish "swim" in the yard until they are caught! Each time they are a different type of fish!

Connor walking around looking for a good fishing spot!

Josie catching her big "fish"!

Josie fishing again using Tessa as the little fish to catch the BIG fish Connor!

The homemade fishing pole which caught a lot of big fish that night!!

Sidewalk chalk Contest

 Last year Emma, Elly and Max participated in a chalk drawing contest on Bluff Street in Dubuque, Ia. So when it came up again, the kids were excited about participating in it. Besides area kids, teens, adults, they have a professional draw and scene. It is always amazing to see what artist can do with chalk! This year Emma was brainstorming ideas all week long before deciding what to draw.

Emma getting ready to get started.

Starting her drawing.

Pressing hard to make it the colors shine through!

Using her fingers to shade and spread the chalk accordingly.

Finished product: Fairy Snoozy sleeping on a mushroom!

Max's drawing of a tree! 

Elly's drawing of a fairy!


Though no one won prizes this year, it was fun to see how they have each grown as an artist and to see what they learn from watching other artists!

Bunk Beds

The girls got some new bunk beds, full over full. Josie and Karley moved to the top and Emma to the bottom. Tessa will eventually sleep with Emma but for time being she is still in Connor's room in the bottom bunk if the girls old bunk beds. One night I went in to check on the girls and this is what I saw. Karley hanging her limbs over the sides. I didn't get to worried. After I put the camera away and went back in the room . She had already rolled back over. Prior to going to bed, she was talking with Emma so I think she just fell asleep in this position!

\

Ice Skating

What is there better to do on an day that you get out of school early because it is so hot?? We headed down to the Mystique to trying some ice- skating out and also putting out free passes to use from the Library from the summer reading program! This was Josie and Karley's first time. Emma and Connor had a chance to learn this summer at Loras Sports Camp. John and Brielle joined us also. Overall, everyone did a pretty good job! Tessa and I enjoyed watching them from the sidelines.

The Birthday Girl!!

On Sunday, August 26, we had family over for a fish fry (our freezer finally got cleaned out) and cake and ice cream for Tessa's birthday! 

Chalk drawing made by her sister!

Cake time!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Tessa woke up on her 2nd birthday to phone calls from her grandparents, aunts and uncles! (The phone has become her favorite toy lately!) She was very chatty! Her siblings were very excited about her special day!

Connor making pancakes for his little sister!

Tessa getting ready to eat her number 2 pancake!

Just another Tessa face!

It was a beautiful day so the we went as a family to Bailey's Ford in Manchester. There was something for everyone: fishing, hiking, walking through the creek, playing on the play ground, etc... Connor was especially excited about going because he is always wanting his sisters to come fishing with him. This is a great place to go because the creek is so clear that you can see the fish swimming! The kids switched from one activity to another!

Terry and Connor trying their luck!

Karley, Tessa, Josie, Emma and myself going for a nature walk. They  filled their bags with lots of goodies!

The two fish we came home with!

It was a great family day!!

First Day of School 2012-13

 We had a great summer and didn't want to see it end, but then the excitement of another school year was fast approaching.

 Connor is now a middle schooler (6th grade) and he gets to go to school with me each day! I have to say it was a little different at first, but I am really enjoying it. He is ready to right away and is usually telling me, "Let's go!" He seems to really enjoy this new change!

Connor and I on our first day!

Emma and Josie were excited for another year now as 4th and 2nd graders! They were excited to get to school and see if their friends noticed their newly pierced ears (reason why both of their hair is pulled back) and Emma her new braces!

Karley was excited to be going to Pre-K. It doesn't seem possible that she is in school already. She was very excited to pack her bag with her supplies and wear a backpack like her sisters! So far she has really enjoyed it. Emma and Josie take turns walking her to her classroom which Karley really enjoys. She is also getting use to having Dad drive her to school everyday!