Many Firsts

Summer is over and real life is back in full swing! Here are all the "firsts" we've been having at our house!

Hudson's FIRST day of FIRST grade! My, how time flies!

Hud's FIRST experience eating lunch at school! And my FIRST time making a school lunch for one of my kiddieloos. I thought these sweet little number sugar cookies would be fun and festive for his dessert. Steve thought it was a bad idea since Hudson is a picky selective eater and he'd never tried them before. I told him "nonsense". After all, they were cookies for heaven's sake, not broccoli!
Um, Steve was right. I got chastised from the minute he got in the car until we got home about how they were the grossest things ever, that they tasted like cereal (something he's never even tried) and why would I put something like that in his lunch instead of fruit snacks?!?
Why, oh why do I try? 

Oliver's FIRST day of Kindergarten!!

 

A few Spidey poses are ALWAYS in order.

He gets to go to school and be in the same class as his cute cousin Beckett! They are so lucky!

Penelope's FIRST time trying to cram 2 binkies in her mouth at once. Don't worry, it hasn't been the last.

Pippi's FIRST haircut!

 

She was a gem!

And her FIRST time wanting to wear earrings. She loved swinging them back and forth.

And unfortunately, her FIRST time rolling her eyes at me. I'm sure this will not be the first and only time, sad to say. I never knew this kind of attitude started when they were still in a high chair!!
I'm in trouble.

The Last Drops of Summer

One of the last things on our leap list was to learn how to hula hoop.

Oliver couldn't seem to do it without his tongue doing some hula-ing of its own!

 

 

 

My handsome Huddie 

 

Stevie even gave it a go! Hula-hooping...check!

This next bit of shenanigans was definitely not on the boys' leap list.
Trying on girl clothes for Mimi. My mom loves to buy all the grandchildren clothes, and she uses our poor boys as guinea pigs models to see if they will fit the ones who don't live here.
Oliver won't even open his eyes for the picture he's so embarrassed!

We're all trying to convince him that it's not so bad, and he can even try twirling if he wants!
(We are cruel!)

He gives a little spin (still, the eyes closed. still, embarrassed)

Aaaaand, decides it's not for him!

Hudson is even less easy to convince.

He's hiding behind the couch so no one sees him.

But hey...twirling might be fun!

Nope, didn't love it. 

Pip was not a fan either! Crazy Mimi!!
Please refrain from teasing these sweet, tough boys when you see them. They would die if anyone knew what they have to endure!

A Little Slice

It's time for another slice of Pippi Pie!
Here is what she does all day.
 

 

 

 

 

I love her excited eyes in this one.

This one is one of my faves because she had fallen asleep in the car on our way home. She WILL NOT get in her crib without a story or five. She felt herself being lowered into the crib and woke up, and would not go back to sleep until she'd had her fill!

Reading to her dollies

Mmmm, sweet!

Bear Lake!

My family has always had a cabin at Bear Lake. We spend a few weekends during the summer there, and we love it! It is the only place that I can truly relax. There is literally nothing to do up there but relax.
No hair or makeup to do is an added bonus!


We had the Rawlings/McCormack clan up there this weekend. These are Briski and Hilly's dogs, Lola and Bella. The boys adore them, if you can't tell!

 

Hilly is such a great...whatever she is. Second cousin? How does that work?

If any of you knew Steve as a baby, you will remember that he looked exactly like this! 

Why is our sweet little girl dressed like a boy, you might wonder?
It may or may not be because I forgot to pack her pajamas, a sweater, or anything warm for those chilly Bear Lake nights. I realized later I had gotten distracted in the middle of packing and forgot her whole bottom drawer where all that "necessary" stuff is.
 But you can sure as heck bet she had a fab outfit with a bow to match for every single day.
BOOM!
 I've got my priorities straight, don't you worry!!
My cousin's wife Heidi was kind enough to share an extra pair of her little guy's jammies.

There, much better! 

Girlied right back up where she belongs.

It doesn't get ANY better than naps in the hammock.

Pop C and Pip

A little card game with Park, Andy, Ten & Zach

Rolling out and baking sand cookies.

Look at those lashes. Those cheeks. Those juicy lips!!
I swear I could eat her she's so delicious!

 

 

S'mores are always a must.

Peekaboo with Teal

 

 

Hud even tried water skiing for the first time. He was fearless!
See you next year Bear Lake!