First Day of School

Rachel and Tim hard their first day of school on 08/20. Rachel is in third grade and Tim is in first grade.

Rachel

Tim
Rachel & Tim outside the school
Tim in his classroom.

Birthdays

We were on vacation August 10th when Braden turned 2. So we celebrated when we got home. Connor turned 5 on August 14th. We weren't able to have a party on that day so we just celebrated with our family. Then on the weekend my Dad and Robin came over and we celebrated again with them.
I can't believe how fast the kids grow up. Everyone always tells you that and I don't think you really appreciate it on a day to day basis but looking back, it is definitely true.

Braden blows out the candles.

Connor with his Spiderman ice cream cake.

Connor plays the guitar!!

Vacation 2008 - Dave & Susie Lund's

After leaving St. Louis, we headed to Milan Illinois. Marty's aunt and uncle live there. They have a pool and we had a great time swimming and hanging out with Dave, Susie, Tara, and Chris.

Vacation 2008 - St. Louis

Well, it is always great to go on vacation, but it is also good to be back home. We went to St. Louis and did some sightseeing:

The first day there, we went to Hard Rock Cafe for supper. While we waited, we strolled around union station.

Day two in St. Louis, we headed down to the arch. It really is an amazing structure. To get up the arch, they load you in these little round elevator like things. There isn't much room in these, so if you are claustrophobic, it probably isn't for you. Then when you get to the top it is an amazing view. The kids thought it was awesome. Then you load back in the elevator things and head for the bottom.

After visiting the arch, we went to a place called "City Museum". It was the craziest thing you have ever seen. The place is several mazes and climbing areas that are all made out of scrap metal and junk. I think the kids had a great time there. There was an old junk airplane that the kids could climb up to, slides, and other climbing areas and mazes.

The next day we went to the zoo, it was hot and a lot of walking but it was a nice zoo.

The last day in St. Louis, we went to the children's museum, called The Magic House. They have a separate play area for little kids, so while Marty and the older three played, Braden and I went to the little kid area. Then, outside of the museum, they had a "beach" area set up and the kids played in the sand.

Boating with the Schabens

We had a great weekend with Marty's sister Amy and her husband Eric and their son Nick. They brought their boat home to Ruthven so we spent Saturday out on the lake. It was Braden's first time on a boat and he was a little scared at first but I think he got used to it after awhile. I went out with Rachel, Connor & Braden in the morning and then in the afternoon, Marty went out with Rachel, her friend Mary, Tim, & Connor. I stayed home with Braden and Nick while they napped. The kids had their first experience tubing. I took Rachel and Connor in the morning and Marty went with them in the afternoon. They really enjoyed it. Next week we are heading on vacation to St.Louis. So check back to see some pictures from our vacation.