Man Outing

There is a tradition that David takes the boys camping each fall and calls it a "man outing."  David, Benjamin and Hunter had a great time camping on Friday night.  Preston and I went to dinner with a good friend who's moving soon and enjoyed a somewhat calmer home.  : )  Here are a few pictures David took...

Waxing political...

This is in our front yard and it's HUGE.  I love it.  : )

Fall Farm Fest...

I love fall!  On Saturday after the boys got home from their "man outing" we went to a farm fest at the Lost Creek Preserve.  Beautiful weather and fall colors.  I love it!  

 Preston clapping...

 Wearing dad's hat...

 My guys.  : )  

 Benjamin participating in the "tractor pull", it is so much fun to watch the kids do this.  There is a wagon on the back with weights and the kids have to see how far they can pedal.  David and I learned how competitive we are, we were pretty smug thinking that he would dominate.  Not so much.  : )  But he got a ribbon and had fun.  Definitely a fun thing to participate in next year.  Hunter was sad that he couldn't do it, but next year he'll be able to.

 Straw maze for kids.

 "Helping" with a lanscaping project in the front yard.

Sealing Day! : )

Pictures on finalization day...

YEAH!  The finalization of sweet Preston Reginald took place last week.  We are so grateful for this sweet boy and grateful for the special way that our family has come together.  Here are some pictures...

First Day of SCHOOL! : )

We're home and I have other pictures to post but I'm going to skip right to the big event--Benjamin started kindergarten!!!  He was SOOO excited and so brave.  And he's so ready, which made it a lot easier for me.  I thought I would be fine, really.  I loaded Hunter and Preston up in the van and we waited at the end of the drive where the bus picked him up.  I gave him a brave send-off and then followed the bus.  : )  And then David called and I answered the phone.  And I totally lost it.  : )  I love this my sweet little boy beyond my ability to express and I'm so excited for him to cotinue to grow and experience life, but moments like that first day of school always make us appreciate how precious time is--and how fast it flies! (And since it's already four days into school, here's the update...he's doing GREAT and has already come home with two green notes--positive feedback from the teacher.  Yeah, Benjamin!)

SO, here are a few pictures of the day...

Breakfast:  waffles, homemade applesauce and strawberry milk.  (Benjamin's request).

We made play dough and passed some of the time playing with that (he's in afternoon kindergarten)...

(Hunter was cute-made a bunch of "worms" and layed them in a row side by side and said "party")

Before school pictures...

Onto the bus!!!

At the school--top picture is his teacher, Mrs. Frey...

Two friends from our ward (at church) are in  his class...

Neuschwanstein Castle

We spent a Saturday going to visit this castle--Neuschwanstein.   It's the castle that Disney patterned it's Cinderella castle after.  (And according to a tour guide that we met Disney pays a hefty amount each year for rights.  These castles bring in so much money!!!)  Some of the pictures are just of the view from the castle--which was incredible.  Some are great shots of the castle from a bridge that you can hike to.  You're not allowed to take pictures inside, so I don't have any of the inside.  Anyway, it was spectacular!

 And you have to finish off each outing like this with ICE CREAM!