rosy mound

We went for a family hike on what we think was probably the last decent Sunday of the year before the weather turned bitterly cold (although who knows, in Michigan we might get an 80* day yet!)  It was chilly but perfect for hiking.  This is place is just gorgeous.

Charlie had acorns dropping out of his pockets with every step.  And I still keep finding them in the van.

Ruby insisted on bringing her bag complete with her homework and pencil box full of crayons.  She was stubbornly refusing to leave it behind so we told her she had to carry it the whole time.  And she did!

It's not just the same to go to the beach without wiggling your toes in the sand!  Charlie is our barefoot boy.  Always content to go without shoes.  Me too!

I love their selfies!

I helped Ruby with her bag at the very end of our walk... and that might just be some moss I considered putting in her bag ;)

See?  GORGEOUS!

september

School started and of course, all extracurricular things that come with this time of year.  Ruby played soccer this year.  Natalie had wanted to but there was a shortage of coaches so we just couldn't get her in... but she wouldn't have been able to play with her broken collarbone so it all worked out anyway!  Ruby really enjoyed it and in the first few games tried her hardest to get the ball.  She was good!  But by the end of the six weeks, it wasn't as exciting anymore and a bit colder and she lost her assertiveness!  Oh well!  It was a lot of fun!

The girls are also doing GEMS through a nearby church this year which they love!  So our Wednesdays are a bit crazy although it's worth it.

And although Ruby had 'homework' last year, this year having two girls in school full-time seems to really make things extra busy/chaotic in the evenings.  It's always hard for me to figure out if I let them relax when they get home from school, play, and be kids OR do I make them get all of their homework and reading done which carries us to dinnertime but then they have a little more than an hour free in the evening before showers and bed.  So little time :(  Either way, there's not enough hours in the day.  And it's been a struggle getting them enough shut-eye.  They go to bed at 8 and they're up at 7/7:30 but it's still not enough sleep.  I tried two weeks of them going to bed at 7ish which seemed to help with their crazy emotions (due to being tired??!) each morning and at the end of the week.  But that gives Jordan only an hour and a half with them at night.  Divide that by four kids and it's just not enough time.  What to do....

There were a couple of weeks in Sept/Oct that Jordan had to work on an private owned island off from Drummond Island.  He flew out from Tulip City on a Monday morning via a private jet (exciting!) and flew back in on Friday evening (via a Tulip City plane... not as exciting, but still fun!)  We missed him while he was gone but we managed.  I never know how it'll go while he's gone but the kids did so great each time.  It was fun picking him up from the airport and getting to see him land.  The kids got to check out the plane, too!

fairy godmothers

Natalie has three years under her belt now but Ruby got to experience being a live mannequin for Spring Sweet for the first time this year.  We're always excited when Spring asks Natalie help and this year, she asked if Ruby would like to, as well.  She also said she would need a third girl and wondered if we had any suggestions... we immediately thought of Molly.  Molly is our 10 year old babysitter.  She is the youngest of four sisters and has been co-sitting probably since she was 4!  She knows our kids and family so well and I knew she and Ruby would do a great job, just like Natalie.  The theme for the Downtown Holland Live Mannequin Show for Sping's store was 'Sleeping Beauty'.  Can you guess who these three portrayed?!

Aren't they so cute?!!!

no nose piercing yet, Ruby!

The girls saw so many friends from outside the window, including our friends Brian and Dorothy who were in town for just a few short hours and their cousins.  Daddy caught up with them later after coming back from the island.  They did so great.  Ruby and Molly stood proper and poised.  Natalie did too but every once in a while, she would wink or twiddle her wand.  Such a fun time!!

first day of school

And then it was time for the girls to go back to school.  Natalie is in 2nd and Ruby is in Kindergarten.  I cannot believe how quickly this is going.  Luckily Charlie and Emmy are still home with me.  Charlie could have done preschool but he'd be the very youngest in his class.  So instead, we're going to make it that he's on the older side of the spectrum.  (And that way he's still home with me all day every day!)  We were all sad to see these ladies leave us :(  But the little ladies were so glad to go!  I am one proud mama!!

the jones'

Just a visit to Grandpa and Grandma Jones....  Always immensely enjoyable!