So happy to have her paci back after a week long hiatus!

Checking out his new school playground after mommy turned in some enrollment forms!

He mastered shoe tying, so naturally Sadler wanted to learn too!

little miss muffet, sitting on her tuffet.

Squished in one last play date before school started. Love watching them develop friendships!

Picnic lunch on a beautiful day

She really wanted to see the TV :)

When my hottie husband asks me out on an impromptu date, it's impossible to say no!

We had such a fun date night to Saugatuck, riding through the dunes and dinner at Marro's 

mini golfing in the drizzle at the K&R summer work party at Craig's Cruisers. 

We used to have these Sunday park nights more often, but life sure gets busier as they get older, so this was the first, and last this summer. But we made it a good one!

oh the difference a year makes, I'll be in the corner crying if anyone needs me :(

Our big boy before school orientation night

trying to keep up with her bothers, always!

fro-yo before lunch, because Summer isn't over yet!

There's a little bit of an unfair advantage going on here, but Gray was a trooper!

The boys took a ride on the amphibious vehicle in Saugatuck with Grandpa and Grandma L!

fun morning at the critter barn with cousins!

pizza party picnic style, just because! Also, the boys give it there all when blowing on the hot pizza!

They make a mid-morning stroll entertaining!

taking a selfie of her first pony tail :)

I made a switch with one of my anti-rejection meds in hopes of reducing some unpleasant side effects, I'd love any prayers for a smooth transition and improvement with the side effects. 

a little labor day weekend project. (still putting the finishing touches on it, I'll show the end result when it's done!)

soaking up the last of the lake days

Jovie's faces shows you her thoughts on holding mom's hand in the water :)

I thought by now the newness of a sister would have worn off, but nope! He's still totally smitten with her!

nobody puts baby on a hay bale ;)

YES!

phew! Hopefully that will negate the chili cheese hot dog I had for dinner! lol

after trying out nearly half of the workout videos at our local library, this one has been a fave! It's a fun, upbeat cardio (interval training) workout that I actually look forward to doing, not to mention a great calorie burner for under 45 minutes! {Turbo Jam Cardio Party 2}

lil momma taking her baby for a walk! ha!

These cuties had a back to school (color coded) scavenger hunt and picnic at Grayden's school playground one night. Grandpa and Grandma L made it such a fun night!

He's trying to fit her in his backpack and take her to school. She was sleeping yet when he left the first day, so saying goodbye the second day was hard!

teeter-tot buds

we LOVED this new pinterest recipe we tried last week Shrimp, Kale and Wild Rice Melody

night 1 of 1st grader homework and I already wanted to pull my hair out, we butt heads so bad when it comes to homework. Yikes!

8am wedding updo, good thing I love those so much ;)

proud soccer aunt

beauty girl before church

the kids had a great time playing the mini golf greens, at the Grandparents Day carnival at Robb's grandma's living facility even though only one played it correctly :)

thankful the rain stopped just in time for our weekly trip to the farmers market, and for an early birthday present that came just at the right time, my 'happy boots' from my sweet friend Corinn <3 p="">

when you go in for labs alone and both the receptionist and the lab tech ask "where are the kids?" you  know they leave a lasting impression! lol

Lunch for 2! Robb had some vacation days left to use up so he was home all day Tuesday just hanging out and running errands with me. Love spending time with him, even when it's nothing exciting!

it was like Christmas for me to open up my free trial of Hello Fresh meals!

Robb had the day off Wednesday too, so it was fun that he was able to walk Sadler into school on his second day (first day without mom)

 this sweet sister had so much fun in the nursery while mommy went to her first Moms in Prayer meeting at church on Wednesday.  Such a privilege to meet with other moms and life up our kiddos and schools in prayer to the God who loves them even more than we do! 

the good apples are at the top!

Picked 24 lbs of apples for some homemade applesauce after picking Sadler up from school that afternoon. 

spotted two deer on a morning walk down "the lane"

first piggie tails at 21 months, my heart can't handle the cuteness!

All tucked out after playing so hard during mommy's first M-LIFE meeting this morning. Falling asleep before lunch usually doesn't make for a long nap, but it was so worth it! I had such a great time connecting with other moms and being reminded of God's love for me despite my mothering downfalls. Being a mom is hard work, but so rewarding and such an amazing example of God's love us, his children. 

Loved seeing this picture on the 1st grade newsletter email this afternoon. I'm still getting used to having him gone all day, everyday. I'm so looking forward to this weekend. It's just too bad there's more homework! 

Have a great weekend, friends!

Sadler started Preschool on Monday, he was just a little bit excited :)

Mommy got to join him on his first day, it was a great way to meet some of his classmates and help him get acquainted. 

So proud of you Sadler! Can't believe you are in Preschool, seems like we were just in that same classroom with Grayden! You are becoming such a sweet little boy and I can't wait to see  you grow in your love and knowledge of Jesus this year! 

Sadler and I went on our "back to school" date last week Wednesday. He choose to go "somewhere with pop" (aka 'soda'; it's a Michigan thing:) and to Aunt Mindy's house. We compromised with McDonalds and Crazy Bounce!

The funny thing is he ordered a juice box, not pop, with his Happy Meal and I wasn't gonna ask questions! 

We had the whole place to ourselves!

We had a blast, and I did my best to keep up with him! 

We had lots of giggles!

We ended our night on a sugar high with candy we picked out from Target!

I'm so lucky to be his mom, he's so silly and fun to be with, not to mention absolutely adorable! 

Like usual, we went to the Truck Parade and waved to all the big rigs as they drove by. 

Jovie wasn't a big fan of all the loud horns, but she was a trooper!

They gave out free ice cream that the boys just couldn't wait to dig into!

After the parade we headed home for lunch, and then to the cottage one last time for the summer. 

We waited too long to bust out the water sports gear at the cottage this year, but we couldn't wrap up the season without trying just once!

My once a year loop around on skis, just to say I still got it ;) 

I should add that I was sore for days!

Robb on skis

That's my little Sadler back there on the kneeboard for the first time!

We had such a great summer and made so many fun memories!

Even though he fell asleep en route to dinner, I didn't take it personally, we had a great time! He's such a funny, sweet boy and such a gentleman. He always opened the doors for me and held my hand!

I feel so lucky to be the only lady he's dating for a few more years, until another lucky lady snatches him up! :)

Grayden was off to 1st Grade yesterday. It's a big year of new changes for him at a new school, new friends, first year of all full days, and so much more. He's handling it like a champ!

It was a dark and rainy morning outside on his first day of school, but our prayer is that he will SHINE BRIGHT for Jesus and glorify Him in all that he does! We are so proud of him!

He had a great day, but he was very tired when he got home. I made the mistake of telling him I missed him and he got a little sad after that and he said that's why he doesn't like full days :( 

We know he'll have a great year!