Norfolk Zoo

We took advantage of the long weekend and grandparents with a fun house and went to Williamsburg.  It was a lot of fun to get away and have adventures with grandparents.  On Saturday, we went to the Norfolk Zoo, which is our new favorite zoo.  As you can see, the kids really enjoyed themselves...and this is only part 1 of the zoo pictures :)

Becky & Alli's Visit (Please Come Back!)

Just to warn you, Andrew is helping with the blog tonight...this picture is 3 minutes old.  There may be typos and there is definitely an abundance of drool :)

Becky and Alli (my sister and her oldest) came out to visit a few weeks ago.  We haven't seen each other in nearly 3 years and that was just too long.  Having them come was like a breath of fresh air and so much fun.  The kids loved Alli so much and she was so good to them.  She even taught them how to make monkey bread from scratch.

Becky, Alli, Andrew and I went on an Old Towne Alexandria ghost tour.  It was so much fun!

Andrew is so cute.  He has a cute smile and has recently started laughing.

We spent a few hours downtown with them.  The kids giggled and had a great time with their funny poses.

Please come visit soon!  The kids still ask why you had to get on the airplane :)

Cute Kids

I love these kids!

At soccer yesterday, Sam got a little frustrated with a girl who scored against his team.  Instead of trying harder on the field, Sam decided a comment would settle the score so, "I'm going to gobble your head off!" came out of his mouth.  Good thing Roy was also on the field...

Love, love, love.

Laughter IS the Best Medicine

• The kids were playing soccer with Roy and Lydia decided that the best way to win the game was to grab the ball and run away.  Understandably, this caused a great deal of frustration from Abby and Sam and Abby screamed, "You're cheating!"  Lydia got very mad, stomped her foot, and yelled, "I'm not cheating!  I'm Lydia!"
• Sam recently told me, "I have a big armpit."
• Sam and Lydia were playing super heroes when I heard Sam ask, "Lydia, are super heroes the best thing in your life?"
• Abby and Sam were racing matchbox cars when Abby encouraged her car by saying, "Come on, you can do it, even though you're British."

Summer's Ending, School's Beginning

Our days that were already filled with pockets of busy and some precious moments of calm turned very busy with school starting again.  I'm grateful Andrew is such a good baby and that the big kids are helpful, independent and happy!

Abby at Open House

Andrew at one month

Go Cougars!

I love the Summer Reading program at the library and the fun coupons the kids get to redeem all summer!  When Roy traveled last week, we got (free) Noodles & Co for dinner.  With at least a dozen options of what to eat for dinner, do you know what these kids chose?  Mac & cheese and spaghetti.  Here they are sitting in a booth watching their food being put together.  We don't do restaurants that often so this was understandably a fun adventure :)

The girls found these gigantic Olaf dolls and had to take a picture for Uncle Steven Freebairn, who might be the only person in the world to think that Olaf is annoying.  I'm glad my girls have a sense of irony and enjoy teasing people.

Look at those fabulous cheeks and that sweet face.  I enjoy the snuggles.

First days of school are so exciting!

Can you see how unhappy Sam is to say goodbye?

Happiness

Nervousness

Right to work!

Abby will be riding the bus to school this year.  She has loved it so far.  In fact, it's the highlight of her day.  Lydia and Sam enjoy the 5 or so minutes of running around in the morning while we wait.  When Abby boards the bus, they start yelling, "BYE, ABBY!" as many times as possible until she rides away.  Occasionally, they throw in an "I love you".  They are so loud.  Someday it'll be embarrassing but right now it keeps us laughing.

Sam started preschool last week.  We're doing Joy School with 4 families.  He is so excited to have 2 days a week of preschool.

And never one to be forgotten or left behind, Lydia packed her backpack, grabbed her unneeded umbrella and said it was the day for Purple School to start.  We just roll with it and call whatever activity we are doing a Purple School activity.

Abby and Sam both started soccer last week too.  With practices back-to-back, it'll keep us on our toes and out of trouble (and exhausted).

I got out of the shower to find oldest cuddling youngest, both asleep on my pillow.  The flash was a little bright for these sleeping people.  Oops.

I'm so lucky to have these 4 fantastic kids!  I was feeling grateful this morning that I could get all 4 out the door for church in exactly one hour from start to finish and had to get a picture.  These kids bring so much happiness to our family!