Jen Hatmaker

My friend, Farrah, invited me to go to a women's conference with her up in Paradise, CA last weekend. Scott and the boys came along to hang out with the other husbands and kids while we were at the conference. Jen Hatmaker (she's the one in blue in the pic) was the speaker for the weekend and she was amazing! She really challenged us and I can't wait to read more of her work. 

Soccer and swimming

 Bryton has been playing soccer once a week for the last 6 weeks. His favorite position is goalie.

 Bryton's biggest fan :)

Bryton is still swimming once a week. Swimming is definitely the sport that he enjoys the most. 

Apple Hill

 We took a little day trip up to Apple Hill a few weekends ago to go apple picking. The first orchard we stopped at had a lot of different kids activities. The boys loved running through the corn maze and feeding all the animals. There was a pumpkin patch that they ran through to see who could find the biggest pumpkin.  I have this same picture from Cohen's first fall, boy have they grown! Bryton loved the last orchard we stopped at because they were making the apple cider in their little factory and you could stand and watch the workers. He would have stayed there all day! We brought home a bushel of apples and a gallon of cider. I have been baking and making as many recipes with apples as I can, plus sharing with all the neighbors. It is definitely one of our favorite fall activities! 

Where have we been?!

I am finally getting back on track of getting us updated! Between the end of summer, Bryton starting school and having a few painting orders to complete time got away from me and I had no idea that two months had gone by since I had updated! The days are flying by and the calendar is never clear it seems. Cohen and I are in a rhythm of not having Bryton around during the day and are always excited to pick him up in the afternoon. Here are a few pictures of what has been keeping us busy since school has started:

 The Budweiser Clydesdales were brought to Fairfield. We met up with some friends to watch them get unloaded. It was an amazing operation to watch. Cohen loved it! 

 Bryton and I went to a cupcake decorating class after school one afternoon for a special treat. 

 Bryton lost his first tooth at school! The tooth fairy came and brought him 2 books about teeth and $1. He was thrilled. 

 Cohen loves to help me mix in the kitchen.

 The boys and I went to the circus one weekend while Scott was away. They loved it and sat through the entire thing without any problem. I was shocked! The camels were their favorite part. 

 Cohen and I do lots of little crafty things while Bryton is at school. 

 Bryton had a minimum day and so we went to play putt putt golf as a fun surprise. 

 After church we met up with 2 family friends at a local winery for lunch. A definite bonus to living so close to Napa! 

 Bryton lost tooth #2 at school! This time the tooth fairy brought $1...the books were a special treat for the first tooth :)

 Cohen is a nester. He loves to collect all of his favorite things in a corner and play. He was camping with his animals here cooking them dinner with my pots and pans. I love his little imagination! 

 Here is our last day on the lake for the year...we made so many happy memories on the boat this summer! 

Riley Visit

It has been a long time since we have had any visitors, so we were very excited to hear that Hunter was coming to see us for the night. Scott was out of town, so the boys and I enjoyed his company. We went to church and then came home and had a great day together. Hunter was determined to help finish off our summer activities checklist. One of the only things left was to build a solar oven. He helped us build a solar oven to cook our s'mores. It was too cool! After an afternoon of fun, we put him on the train into San Francisco for his week of work. Hopefully, he will come back soon! 

 Cohen loved the s'mores! This of course is the before picture :)

 We spent a lot of time outside playing soccer and riding bikes. 

First Day of Kindergarten

 On August 14th, Bryton started Kindergarten. It was such a BIG day! We had gone to an ice cream social a few days before the first day to see his classroom and meet his teacher, so he was familiar with everything that morning. He was so excited! Scott and I were kind of in disbelief that it was possible to have a child going to school. We both shed a few tears on the car ride home. We are thrilled with the school that we have chosen for him to go to this year. 

 Cohen even got in on the hugs! 

I have no idea what he was telling Mrs. Schneider here, but I am sure it was a good story knowing Bryton :)

Last days of summer

 Crossing summer projects off our lists...making I-Spy bottles

 Fun days at home!

Spending mornings in our pajamas painting

 Walking to the park to play on a random chilly morning

 We made it through the whole movie! Whoohoo!