Everything's Better with Daddy

I get a lot of time with our kids.  A lot.  I love our days together.  But it truly is better when Ryan is around.  And as hard as he works, he makes it a priority to be around as much as possible.  And we love him for it!

The kids love their Daddy breakfast dates!

And sometimes, when I'm playing piano for church and have to go early, we all go together and Ryan finds a way to pass the time . . . =)

Field trip to Fort McHenry

The kids and I are focused on American History this year in school, and we love living close to so many historical sights!  Ryan was able to join us this fall for a trip to Fort McHenry, the fort which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem.  We spent time in the small museum where the girls worked on their junior ranger badges.  Then we explored around the fort, ate our picnic lunch, and found a great family climbing tree to finish off a fun family field trip!

The Payne guys are never without a football 

Ending October

Trying to catch up on photos from the end of this year . . .  these were from some fun Fall days:

a nature walk with friends . . . and a football.  Always a football.

Sharing the trampoline with friends is the kids' favorite!

Halloween costumes:

Candy trading was as much fun as trick-or-treating!  There were a lot of superhero girls in our group this year

We spent several Fall afternoons at the Arboretum

We are SO close to being a family of independent readers

Neighbors shared their tickets to a Maryland basketball game.  We took a friend and everyone had a great time!