Getting Outside {Great Falls National Park}

We took advantage of Ryan not working on Monday (thank you, Columbus!) and headed over to Great Falls National Park.  Ryan and I both were needing time to just be outside.  We wanted some time as a family to explore and enjoy creation.  The fall weather has been beautiful, and our time at the park on Monday turned out great for everyone.  

Marks from where the Potomac flooded over the years!

He loves to scramble over the rocks 

Gretchen worked diligently to earn her Junior Ranger badge  

At the end of our hike, we came to a hollow stump that needed to be climbed!

The kids took some photos while standing inside the stump!

Looking up . . . 

Finishing up September

The last couple weeks of September were full and fun . . . and before we knew it, the month was over!

We are grateful for the kind neighbors weve met.  One family invited us to their sons' birthday party as it was going on and we were greeted with a plate of amazing homemade fajitas - yes, please!  Another family have become fast friends.  We've welcomed our new playmates over for several playdates!

Hot days called for fresh lemonade and Rooke was up to the task. 

Off to our morning with other families in our Classical Conversations homeschool group.

Uncle Steve brought OU wear for the kids after a trip to Oklahoma.  He's made sure they know the Boomer Sooner song =)

Uncle Steve also made a corn hole game for the kids to paint and play with! 

Good morning!

Always creating and building something . . . 

I love this photo of my beautiful girls on their first day of gymnastics

Aunt Sara and Uncle Bill were in town!  We spent a fun girls' afternoon and evening with Aunt Sara while the boys went to an Orioles game with Uncle Bill.   

The kids scored cotton candy at the JAG picnic!  The weather was beautiful and there were lots of fun activities to enjoy.  We also saw some other families from previous base assignments whom we enjoyed catching up with.

A picnic in our neighborhood to celebrate the first day of Autumn. 

We got free tickets to the Newseum and enjoyed a day date while Aunt Vallerie took the kids for their own adventure on the Mall. . . 

A great Groupon deal for Pump It Up gave us five passes to play, so I took the kids and our neighbors and they all had so much fun!  Two solid hours of climbing, jumping, falling, and bouncing . . .  

The girls and I enjoyed an afternoon tea party using the tea set I had when I was little.

End of August {a Visit from Big Daddy}

During one of our trips to the library, the girls found a princess hairstyle book.  Let me just say that if you have girls who rarely want to do anything with their hair beyond brushing it (if that!), you should give this book a try.  Our bathroom has been transformed into a styling salon and we're having so much fun!  

Bridgette needed a new helmet.  She was so excited about the one we found at Target, she decided she needed to wear it for the rest of our time shopping! (Yes, she is wearing her swimsuit.  I can't remember why, but I know there is a good reason!)

Trying out the new helmet - "It matches my scooter!"

I.  Love.  This.

Ryan was away for a training course and I had a family orientation meeting that week for the homeschool group we have joined.  I offered to host the meeting.  Nothing like welcoming a dozen total strangers into your home to kick the unpacking motivation into high gear.

Since Ryan was away, I challenged the kids to put themselves to bed while the parents were having our meeting downstairs.  We practiced the night before.  I had them mostly ready for bed and set up with a video before people started arriving.  They knew what was expected after the video ended and a reward was offered.  It was SO FUN to reward them when they met the challenge!  I was so proud of them!  A new lovie from Ikea for all! =)

Mom and Rooke on the lose with a wonky shopping cart while the girls played in the kids' room.

Saturday morning after Ryan got home we walked on the "woodland" trail near our house to the neighborhood farmer's market.  

Sunday morning we left a little early for church to surprise the kids with a stop to a shop we'd passed many times already.  Yum!

Big Daddy came for Labor Day weekend!  My mom was visiting friends out of town, so we encouraged Dad to give up his quiet, relaxing weekend of watching sports without interruption to join our chaotic fun for a few days!  It's a good thing he loves us so much. =)

After BBQ for lunch, we went to the gorgeous Great Falls National Park.  Truly beautiful!    

KayeK is usually the one giving nature lessons.  Apparently Dad felt he needed to fill that role while she was away!

The kids are blessed that both their Big Daddy and their G Daddy will get down on the floor and play with them!

Dinner is over, the sun is setting, and someone is scoring a touchdown. 

I LOVE this.  Dad was reading his Bible on the front porch.  Slowly, each of the kids joined him with a book or Bible in hand.  He patiently allowed them into his quiet time, shared what he was reading about, and in doing so watered seeds he has faithfully been planting in their little lives.   

We celebrated Uncle Steve's birthday together with BBQ and German Chocolate cake!

 

Before taking Dad back to the airport, we spent a beautiful afternoon at Gravelly Point Park.