I Survived!

Today was the first day of school. It was cold and rainy start to the year, but I think it went well. I always hate the first day of school- I think I'm more nervous than the kids. Saturday night I don't know if I was having nightmares that made me sick or I was sick so I was having nightmares. It seems like I was up all night. But the nightmares were about school and not everything was ready. Last night I slept a little better. I slept well until 3:30 and then couldn't really go back to sleep. Waking up at 6:30 is not easy- we've been waking up between 7:30 and 8:00 all summer- sometimes even later! But everything was ready and went smoothly, so I'm glad the first day is out of the way.

After school Rylee started dance and gymnastics. She was very excited! But she fell asleep on the ride home so I hope it's not too much for her. They do dance for half an hour and then gymnastics for another half an hour. She could do just one or the other, but I thought she might like them both. We'll see how things go. She said she liked it today- she seemed to have fun.

So it looks like we're off to a crazy, busy year. I miss summer already!

Chocolate Cookies

Rylee loves to help me make chocolate cookies. She also loves to eat them, of course. She wanted to crack the eggs for me, but I told her I better do it. So the phone rang and I was talking on the phone for a minute. When I came back, Rylee said she cracked the eggs and didn't get any seashells in it! So I went to look and sure enough, she cracked them and there were no shells. She's such a good little baker!

Halloween?

I don't know what made Rylee think of it, but she wanted to wear her old Halloween costumes. She tried on Belle first and then Tinker Bell, but I only got a picture of Belle. She was Belle two years ago and Tinker Bell last year. They were a little big when she wore them, but they fit her perfectly now. Ashlyn wore her costume last year. It was obviously too big last year because it fits now and even looks a little big! Rylee loved twirling in her princess dress.

I started taking pictures and Ashlyn went and found this stool to sit on.
She's had a lot of practice posing for pictures!

Our Pool

We just bought this pool last week. It's a lot easier to set up than the blow-up pool we have. And it's easier for the girls to get in and out by themselves. The love it! Ashlyn especially loves to lay down in it. I think she was happy to swim too and not just watch Rylee. And of course I had to get a picture of Rylee jumping- her favorite thing to do!

More Swimming Lessons

Last Friday was the last day of swimming lessons. Rylee loved it and did such a good job. She was braver the second time around and put her whole face in the water more. She is ready for the next class next summer. We all kind of miss going to the pool to watch Rylee.

Rylee was so excited to jump off the diving board again.
Only half of the kids in her class were brave enough.

Getting some advice from Daddy.

She actually got a little scared when she got to the end
of the board, but she did it!

She was all smiles afterward.

Good job, Rylee!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Sorry this is late, but I hope you had a great day. We had fun celebrating with you.

Basement Flooded

Saturday our one finished room in the basement flooded. It wasn't too bad- not as bad as last year. But it was the same problem, a hose connected to the sprinkler system came undone. Or something like that. We were able to pull up the carpet and pad and dry them and the concrete within a couple of days. But we need someone to put it back. That's why I haven't blogged for a while- our computer desk is right where the flooding happened under the window, so it's not connected. I have over 100 pictures on my camera, so I will have lots of pictures when we get it fixed.

My mom's birthday was yesterday, so I didn't get to blog about it. Sorry, Mom, but now I will have actual pictures from the party. I hope you had a great birthday!

Grandma and Grandpa Blatter

Grandma Blatter invited us for Sunday dinner last week. It was delicious. After dinner, Grandma took Rylee out to pick raspberries and apples. The girls had so much fun playing in their beautiful backyard.

Rylee loves to swing with Grandma.

Rylee was making Grandma put leaves on sticks-
she thought that was pretty neat!

Ashlyn found my chapstick and asked Grandpa if he wanted some,
so she put it on him.

8-9-10

Sorry, Lindsay, I didn't blog about this yesterday. (She had a cool birthday this year- 8-9-10.) I hope you had a great day! I wish we could have been to celebrate with you- Rylee really wanted to come! We did sing to you though. I hope 28 is great! Thanks for being a great sister- we love you!

Artist Rylee

I know I've said it before, but Rylee is a really good artist. She has been into drawing lately. Not only does she have to draw a picture (or have somebody else do it for her), she has to cut it out and glue it on another paper. She's actually quite good with the scissors. She has an art gallery in her room- art of hers, mine, Matt's, and Cory's. Grandpa's hasn't made it on the wall yet, but he drew some more with her today. She loves it.

Her sidewalk art- a beautiful flower.

Mickey Mouse- she drew it all by herself!
I like the buttons on his clothes- such attention to detail!

I drew the faces (I'm NOT an artist- don't make fun!)
and Rylee drew the bodies.

She's been loving Care Bears lately and she's had everybody draw some for her, but this one she did all by herself. (I guess I did the heart nose, but the rest is hers)

Her "Happy Family."

Her art gallery.
Cory drew the Rapunzel on the right- he's amazing!
He drew and colored it in like 5 minutes!

My Little Helper

Ashlyn helps me unload the silverware from the dishwasher. Usually she will hand it to me and I put it away, but she has started to put it away herself. I didn't even realize she was doing it until I needed a fork and saw this! I love my little helper!

Ponytail

This is Ashlyn's first ponytail. Her hair isn't long enough on top to put it in just one ponytail though. But it's long enough in the back, so I thought I'd give it a try. Ashlyn's hair is completely opposite of Rylee's at this age- and always has been I guess. Rylee had more on top and Ashlyn has more in the back. So funny!

This is just Rylee being silly.
We were getting ready for swimming lessons
and she was showing me some of her "tricks."

Picking Raspberries

We went to Myrt's to pick raspberries. Rylee has been waiting all summer for the raspberries. We still need to go pick some from Grandma Blatter's too. Rylee is the best raspberry picker. She snacks on them while she's picking. They are her favorite!

Myrt and Rylee

Ashlyn's helping too

Ashlyn and Grandpa watching

Myrt's best helper

Cory and Mom

Don't they look good!

She's so proud- those are just what she picked (I think)

Enjoying the berries

Ashlyn wanted some too, but she didn't like them as much as Rylee.


We made some jam with what Rylee didn't eat. I hope it turns out. We may even get more. I love raspberry jam!!!