Drive-in Movies

Last night we were feeling adventurous and took the family to the movies. We have never taken the kids to the drive-in and Samuel was a little annoyed when we got there. He wanted to go to a building to see the movies. It was actually a triple feature, but we only stayed for the first 2: Space Chimps and Wall-E. The first one was pretty funny, but I didn't like Wall-E at all. Here are some pictures.

I am glad we have renters

I just read this online: "Florida cities like Miami, Orlando and Tampa have unsold housing inventories at, or near, the top of national tables, according to the U.S. Census Department. What's more, home prices there have crashed by more than 25% in the last two years, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Even though foreclosure inventories are piling up and prices are down, sellers either cannot find buyers, or foreclosure homes are being held up in the courts. Florida markets' corrections are, as a result, delayed." Unfortunately we know people that bought high and are losing upwards of $60,000 on their homes. We feel fortunate to have renters that pay and a home that was bought at a reasonable price. Hopefully the renters will keep up their end of the bargain.

First Day of School

Yea!!! Both the kids and I are excited that school has finally started. Henry started on Monday and Samuel started yesterday. I got pictures of them before they left for school, but I'm not the type to go to the classroom and take their picture. They both seem to have enjoyed it so far. A new playground was supposed to be put in over the summer, but it isn't finished yet. They are both quite excited for it to be finished. Henry is in charge of getting Samuel after school and walking home. I thought that since yesterday was the first day of this that I would meet them half-way---bad idea. Henry was sooo mad that I ruined their walk home. I guess I learned my lesson. Samuel and Sadie had their yearly well child visits today (which are free thankfully). Samuel is 41" tall (20th percentile) and 34 lbs (10th percentile). Sadie is 28lbs (30th percentile) and 37" (50th percentile). This might seem normal to you who are reading this, but to Samuel's mother (me) and anyone that knows Samuel, the fact that he broke out of the 10th percentile for height is a miracle we've been waiting for since he was 9 months old. Way to grow Samuel.

Haircuts-school must be starting

Since school starts on Monday I figured I better bite the bullet and give the boys a haircut. I've avoided it all summer. Unlike the mom's that buzz their boys hair in the summer I have obviously decided to do the opposite. By the end of the summer I thought maybe the boys could start their own band or something...Here is the before and after.

Canning Peaches

Here is the "after" of the peach picking. Henry helped me slip the peaches and I did the rest. They're not professional looking, but hey, it's my first time on my own. We also ate a whole bunch with cream...still my favorite dessert. My kids weren't crazy about the peaches and cream...but more for me. We are going to try to go back so that we can pick more and make syrup for our waffles and pancakes...yum.

Picking Peaches

Tuesday we went with a family in the ward to go peach picking. They also had some goats, hens and bunnies to pet at the farm. It was fun and we feel like we are getting to know the ward a little better. Other than that it has been pretty slow. I met with the other Den mom yesterday and planned out the first 2 months of Den meetings. Evidently ours is the biggest Primary in the area and we are going to include 2 boys from 2 other wards in our den. (Our wolf den has 3 kids and the bear den also has 3). I feel sorry for them having to make the drive, but if they want to...

Day at the Park

The kids and I are having a hard time adjusting to the pool here. It's much cooler than we are used to and if you've met my kids you know they don't have much insulation on them. We usually spend about an hour and then leave because we are cold. Monday we went to the playground right by the pool afterwards. Here are some pictures. P.S. yes those are pajama tops that Samuel is wearing....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SADIE

Yesterday was the big #3 for Sadie. The kids and I went to the pool with some people from the ward and then went to get her birthday dinner. She wanted pizza (so yes, we had pizza night on Wed instead of Thurs this week), and a vanilla, chocolate and blueberry cake. If you have met me, you know that I bought all of this. I was personally impressed that we found a vanilla, chocolate and blueberry cake. Of course she picked off the blueberries and said they were "disgusting."

She got a really cool Lego castle, a bed for her stuffed bear (which I think Samuel is more into than Sadie), and some clothes for same bear. It was a fun day.

Perfect Combination

This is my idea of the perfect fast food restaurant. Yum!