Halloween 2011

This year Paul, Sarah, and I made it to the costume parade at Laura's school. Paul enjoyed pointing out the costumes he recognized. The lion and football players in particular.

 waiting for the parade.

 Laura on her first pass

 Second time around, we got a group shot

 Having a little trouble with her "hair." I told her Rapunzel probably had hair issues too.

That night all the kiddos put on their costumes. Time got away from us and it was already too dark outside to take pictures.

 The crew. Lion. Cowboy. Rapunzel.

 Laura/Rapunzel

 Paul/Cowboy

Sarah/Lion

Today is Laura's first day of 1st grade. The first day of school was delayed by 2 days because of power outages, etc... from hurricane Irene. But, thankfully, our power was restored yesterday, and we didn't have to get ready for school in the dark. Needless to say, but delaying the first day has made Laura super excited to get to school and meet her teacher and see who is in her class.



Laura is a first grader!

Getting on the bus.

The rest of the week at Grandma and Grandpa's was pretty chill. Laura went to Vacation Bible School at their church in the evenings, and we got to spend lots of time with the grandparents that week.

Paul enjoying a powdered donut for breakfast. Yum!

On Friday we all went to the Penny Carnival in downtown Franklin at the park.

Laura and Paul wait to ride on the fire truck

Laura had her face painted while we waited in line. I didn't think Paul would want to stay still enough for that.

Sarah, hanging out.

The fire truck

Laura got to ride a pony

Everyone enjoying slushies.

Sarah wants some more slushie.

At the beginning of July Jeff had his two weeks of National Guard duty and the rest of us went up to Grandma and Grandpa's in Franklin, PA. We had a wonderful time.

First up was a family reunion, with (great)Grandma Harry ("G.G."), her siblings and all of their families. Though a there was a chance of rain in the forecast, we had beautiful weather at the Oil City Boat Club.

Paul enjoying some watermelon. He ate atleast 3 pieces. Yum!

Laura and 'G.G.'

Grandma Bonnie, Cousin Cody, and his friend enjoying the river.

Uncle Dave, Sarah, and Grandpa Jeff enjoying the rocking chairs.

Cousin Amy playing a little ball with Paul and Laura.

Laura's Last Day of Kindergarten

Today is Laura's last day of kindergarten.

On her first full day of kindergarten, I was in the hospital with baby Sarah. But Grandma Stum took her to the bus stop and took some first day of school pictures.

After school, Laura came to visit her new sister

And now, about 9 and a half months later, it is the last day of kidergarten. What a difference 9 months makes!

Paul's Summer Haircut

So, I found this post that I started about a month ago. Let's just pretend that it's the middle of May...

One of the new challenges I'm learning to deal with is trying to cut my always on-the-go two year old's hair. Bring out a pair of scissors and he's ducking and weaving. So, I decided to go with the buzzers. Even though they are noisier, Paul seems to handle them a little better. And with a super short cut, maybe it will last all summer.

Before

I grabbed the longest comb (1") and went at it...

 

The casualties

And after all the buzzing, I actually got him to sit still while I trimmed around his ears and the nape of his neck with some scissors.

After

 

Tada!