Japanese Curry Bread

Because Nicholas is forever asking for things I don't know or understand.

Curry was actually great; the bread was actually great, but a little undercooked in a few places

 

And we got to share with grandma and grandpa airplane, who flew in for dinner on Friday to see how the first week of school went!

And By The End of the Week

The boys were home with their own each school issued laptops, reading the news and reviewing their schedules.

First Day of School

The bus stop for the boys.

No more 6:20 am bus pickup; now they are out the door at 7:45 and that's with plenty of time.

 

The girls were full of confidence the day before school.

 

But a little overwhelmed when we got there that morning.

 

 

But there was a LOT to take in that first morning at our new school a less than five minute walk from our house.  

 

Back To School Eve

The girls mad us nerdy burger cupcakes! 

They were just as messy as the real thing.

 

And just as yummy!

And the Worst Revelation of All

The elementary school.

No hot lunches served.

Open campus for the children.

 

They have been supplied with the materials to make their own lunches for the year.

Why School had to Start

Because we learned that cleaning up the driveway after making slime can flood the basement...

 

Because they are starting to bake on their own and shutting me out of the kitchen.

 

And while it's pretty cool, the grocery lists are staggering and the clean up skills are kind of lacking...

And because when we were out of all else, I decided to let them destroy some trash that wouldn't fit in the trash can with a sledgehammer.  There was a minor injury.  We are out of ideas.

Our Anniversary

Hand carved gifts from the girls--soap.

 

 

Octopus for dinner.

 

Made completely from scratch cake from the girls.

 

And one of my favorite ever episodes of Malcolm in the Middle, queued for family viewing.

 

Happy Back To School 2017!!!!!!

Elaine: You were kind of unsure whether ending summer was a good idea.

 

None of you were excited about back-to-school physicals.

 

Alida, you just looked me the eye the other day:

Me: Time to go back the school, I think.

Alida: Yes, I think we're all ready.

 

Boys: you had to take extra placement testing, but got in to practice those locks on the new lockers a few days ahead.  You're ready, whether you think so or not.

 

Good luck team.

I'm going to take a nap.

Happy Solar Eclipse Day

We're still finding things while unpacking around here. 

New Traditions

Nelson's on the way.

 

Stopping for a picture at the sunflowers. 

They haven't been out for a few years!

(Really, Ben is as tall as grandma--I don't think they should let her drive those go-carts...)

 

I guess now it is selfies at the sunflowers.

Smiling and crinkling my forehead--I've got talent.

Tradition: Evergreen

Nothing like watching your daughter walk off to battle with her lazer gun at the ready.

 

And the girls were tall enough for the rooky carts this year!

No one tall enough yet for the regular track.

Since Ben is nearly as tall as grandma, I kind of really want to see if they would let her drive...

All four off to battle in the bumper boats.

 

I looked up from ordering dinner long enough to catch Alida making the top of her climb.

 

Elaine had moved on to backflips already

Well, and then the brood took down the bouncy house.

It was about time to go anyway.

Happy Anniversary

Two People

Three Deployments

Four Kids

Eight Moves

Fifteen Countries

Twenty Years

A million grey and lost hairs

 

Happy Anniversary, man.

Whew.

 

Tonight, I happen to know the kids will be decorating desert for us while we sneak away for dinner.  It will be perfect.



Minnesota Traditions

The Logging Camp

 

The Mississippi Headwaters

 

The Claw

 

Campfires

 

The shore

Birthday celebrations

 

Flinging the children off a tube

 

Gone Fishing

With my dad as trusty guide.

 

We laughed that first evening.

 

Both of us.

 

Night two though, that got a little better.