Back to School - 2015

 Another summer has come to an end and the school year is starting up again!  Within a few weeks, our schedules will be full with cross country practice and meets, band and choir concerts, after school / before school club meetings as well as homework, AWANA and church activities.  Now I remember why I enjoy summer so much!

We headed to Roosevelt last Monday night to unpack our backpacks.  We were thrilled to find out the twins teacher would be Mrs. Watts.  All 4 of our kids have had her (now) and we LOVE her!  She is an amazing teacher who loves teaching and loves her students...but challenges them to go above and beyond.

The twins are now in 4th grade, next year will be their last year at Roosevelt!

We then headed over to Wilson to get Kaitee & Alex situated in their lockers and classes.  After enduring a massive downpour and 2 schedule changes for Alex, everyone is ready for their first day of school!

Kaitee - now 8th grade, showing off her WEB shirt.  As a WEB leader, she is an ambassador for the 6th graders and for the school in the community.  It is a huge privilege.

With Friends Amy & Henry

Alex - 6th grade will keep busy this year with split choir and band as well as cross country in the fall.  She is super excited about entering the middle school...but a bit nervous about locker combinations (she will have 3!) and remembering everything for her 8 classes.

With one of her best friends, Lena

 The first day of school was a wonderful start to the year!  ALL 4 kids were up and dressed by 6:30!  Matt & I actually didn't get up until 6:45.  It was a lovely feeling (didn't last but 2 days though!). 

Maddie with her friend Diana

Maddie with another friend Gabby

 Will was sad to find out that his best friend had moved to a different school (due to the district changing the boundaries this year). Hopefully it will be a good year for him even without Corbin. He was happy to be the first person in line for his class.

Maddie with new friends Allison & Emilie

The first day seemed to go well for all the kids.  Maddie was angry with Will for running ahead and not waiting for her after school - hence making it the "worst day ever".  Will LOVED his class and all the things Watts promised they would do this year.  Kaitee was in her glory - back with friends and teachers! Alex said her first day went really well - she was only late for 3 classes and only went into the wrong classroom once!

We are off to a good start.  Hopefully that is a sign of a good year for all 4!

End of Summer Fun

 This sign is in the small town of Woodhull, IL.  Becki's parents grew up in this town (or nearby) and Barman is Becki's maiden name.  We attended a Barman family reunion and Becki took the opportunity to snap a picture with the kids and this namesake sign (a business owned by Becki's Dad's cousin).

We have had two baby birds abandoned this summer - one was adopted by Alex, the other by Will.  Sadly, this one didn't last the day.  We are pretty sure a neighborhood cat got to it.

We ended our summer by heading to Chicago to see Matt's grandma.  She flew in from Oregon to visit family & friends in IL & Michigan.  We met her for lunch and shopping at Woodfield Mall then back to the hotel to let the kids swim for a bit.  Our time together was short, but wonderful! 

Later, we hit Lou Malnati's for dinner then IKEA for a few items.  Back to the hotel for more swimming (which didn't happen due to the mass amount of children and teenagers in the pool area).  The kids were content with popcorn and cable tv (Disney!!) in the room until bedtime. 

We checked out of the hotel the next morning and headed north into Wisconsin.  Our first stop was at the Jelly Belly Store!  We had fun sampling and purchased some to bring home.

We then headed west into Lake Geneva & Williams Bay to find some letterboxes.  We weren't the only ones in town (crazy, crazy busy!) and decided to forego some of the boxes due to limited parking spaces and busyness.

We continued west to Delavan, which is the "19th Century Circus Capital Of The Nations". The kids enjoyed the history as well as the statues...

 We got home later that evening and unloaded - just in time to head to bed!  Another fun weekend of family and exploring!

One morning I woke up to see a family of deer out our back door!

 The week before school started, we had some fun doing facials and hair stuff.