A smattering of photos...

Well, since I can't sleep--almost 9 months pregnant and can't seem to get comfortable, I might as well post some pictures. It has been a crazy, busy past few months, but filled with good things. I'll post some pictures to document some of the events.

Celebrating Grant's 5th birthday with Mexican food!

Grant requested the oreo-pudding-fresh berry dessert that is becoming a favorite around here.

Can't believe he is 5 already! 

 I don't know why my camera is acting up, but this is the before picture of our living room before we had the wood floor installed.

Ta-da!!! We love the wood floor as it really opens up the area, and makes our dining area bigger.

 Grant, Garrett and Shayla making posters for the Green Bay Packers

We were able to get free tickets through the Boosters Football program, so I loaded up the kids and headed for Green Bay (about 4 hours away).  We had a blast, even thought the Packers lost. 

It was their first pre-season game against the Browns.

 Packer's Mania!!!

 Lambeau Field is amazing! We had such a good time. Wish Tyler could have been there, but he was traveling...

Here he is next to a giant Budda. From August 15 to Sept. 15th he visited China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil and Chile (I think I missed a few countries in there...) and was gone for 25 days. We were so glad when he got home last Friday--home to stay now until after our baby arrives!!!

 6th grade band for Ty--we now have a percussionist in the family!

 8-months pregnant baby! Taken on Aug. 27th.

 Miya's first night in the bottom bunk, sharing a room with Shayla. She is notorious for getting out of bed to play, but at least she doesn't leave the room. She will happily play for hours until I threaten to put her in the baby crib to sleep. She loves being so grown up and can't wait to share everything with her baby sister. Let's just hope that excitement holds up to the reality of losing her place as the center of the universe.

Football season has begun! Ty playing tackle and Garrett playing flag.

 The last hoorah of summer! Camping at Willow River State Park with friends. 

This is the fort the kids built and hung out in--I was quite impressed!

 Hiking--I hiked down all the hills and then waited at the beach for a ride back :) Not a bad way to hike.

 Lots of beach time--Shayla and Miya building sand castles

Ty and Jackson had a blast canoeing in the river--not sure if they spent more time in the river after swamping it or in the canoe...

Catching frogs at night--a favorite with the kids

 Back to reality--first day of Middle School for Ty!

 First day of 4th grade for Shayla!

 First day of 2nd Grade for Garrett!

 And first day of Kindergarten for Grant!

 Getting off the bus on the first day--so grown up!

 The Running of the Llamas in Hammond, WI.  Yes, llamas. The owners of all of the llamas in the area race them down main street for the grand prize of a bucket of salad greens. They race in groups of 4 and then the winners of the first heats race each other for the title of grand champion. The kids had a blast picking who would win and cheering on their llamas. (you can see some of the llamas in the background of this pic).

Oh, the suspense, waiting for the race to begin

I realized i haven't taken "after" pictures of our finished basement. I'll try to post some soon. For now, all I have are these of the under-the-stairs-kid hideout.

A talented friend of mine painted a mural on the wall of scenes from the cabin. she used chalk-board paint, so the kids can draw with chalk on the walls and add their own details to the scene. It turned out great, and the kids love hanging out in their fort!

Here is the other wall--across from it is a moose in the water.

It's a little piece of the cabin here in Wisconsin--we love it!