Lyla Turns One...

One year ago (tomorrow) a very tiny miracle was born (at just 26 weeks.) So, today after mass we drove to Indy to be part of the first birthday celebration. The girls were really looking forward to seeing Kathy, Carol, Lauryn, John, and of course Lyla. They had such a great time trying to hold her and watching her eat cake and open presents. Of course they also had a blast hanging out with "Uncle" John--he's hilarious to them. What a super-fun day! Happy first birthday, Lyla!

Carsyn and Maren watching Lyla check out her birthday cake...

Lauryn and Logan (the big sisters)...

The girls and the birthday girl...

The girls with Carsyn's Godparents, Kathy and John

(don't they make a great couple?)...

Block Party...

After cheerleading we headed down the street to a Block Party organized by our next-door-neighbor. It was really nice getting to meet everyone on our street. The girls had a great time playing with some friends from school, and meeting new friends. We had a great time, and got home just in time to watch the Notre Dame @ Purdue. What a nail-biter (again!) But, a win is a win--we'll take it.

The new girls on the block (sorry, I had to say it)...

Maren's Show and Tell...

Today was Maren's picture day at her preschool. Mommy got to come in and assist the photographer. After all the photos were taken, Mommy sat in on Maren's class during Show and Tell. Maren really enjoys going to school, and it was so fun to get to see her in action. She was very excited to show her (actually, Logan's) dolphin. But, the telling part was definitely her favorite--that girl can talk your ear off.

What a sweetie...

Recess...

Mommy (and Carsyn) had recess and lunch duty again today. Fortunately, Carsyn loves these days. She gets to stay longer at school and eat lunch in the cafeteria. She also enjoys playing out on the playground!

Logan, Carsyn, and Lakyn...

Cheer Expo...

Tonight all the cheer squads got together for their cheer exhibition. It was a lot of fun to see all the different half time routines. Logan and Carsyn's team had been really practicing hard to learn their dance set to a remix of "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. This was the first time they had preformed it in front of an audience, and they did super! It was so exciting to watch them dance, and see the whole squad to so well. We were so proud of them. Maren had a great time watching them too. She did her own little dances in the stands! Check out a video of their routine on the right...

Logan and Carsyn before the big show...

Carsyn with her game face on...

Logan and Emma are ready...



Go Carsyn!

Go Logan!

Go Maren!

Future cheerleader...

Parish Picnic...

After mass this afternoon our church held its annual parish picnic. The girls had been really looking forward to playing with their friends and eating lots of goodies. Carsyn and Maren gobbled up their cotton candy, while Logan munched on her popcorn. They spent the majority of the time running around the playground with their friends, hopefully getting really worn out ; ). It was a little dreary and drizzly, but it didn't stop them from enjoying the picnic!

Carsyn loves cotton candy...

Maren too...

Logan in the jungle gym...

Just hanging out...

Apparently Maren also goes for younger guys...

We all scream for ice cream...

Wool Gathering Festival...

Okay, this must be the festival capitol of the Midwest! It seems like every weekend there are at least three going on somewhere close by. After the book festival, we took the girls to Young's Dairy for their Wool Gathering Festival. The girls loved seeing all the farm animals. Not sure how much they watching the sheep shearing though. Their favorites were all the angora rabbits. The girls also made some crafts with wool and rode the kiddie train. Afterward we walked around the pumpkin patch and filled our bellies with some delicious homemade ice cream. What a fun time!

Logan and a llama...

Maren and the pre-sheared sheep...

Carsyn on the train...

Pumpkin patch posing...

Book Festival...

Well, it wasn't the "National Book Festival," but the girls still had a great time... The girls had a game to cheer for this morning. Thank goodness it's finally getting to be pleasant fall weather. However, the bees are horrible! But, the girls did great. They even preformed their new halftime dance. It was really good. Hopefully one of these days we'll get it recorded and post it on here.

Goooo Logan!

Goooo Carsyn!

Maren was cheering for the cheerleaders...

Afterward we headed to The Greene for their Children's Book Fest. The girls had a great time gathering all the freebies they could find at all the different booths. Their favorites were the stands giving away free books--and it saved us a regular trip to the book store ; ). They also had fun doing the "book walk"--like a cake walk, only you win a book...not a cake. I would have taken either ; ) But, unfortunately they didn't win. Several characters and authors were there to do read-alouds and sign autographs. To our great surprise there was an author who had written a book about the Indy 500, Nancy Roe Pimm. Here husband was a driver in the 80's. It was very cool to chat with her. Once the girls had their fill of games, crafts, and goodies, we went to Panera for lunch. What a fun morning!

The girls at the book fest...

Maren doing the book walk...


Carsyn and Martha...

Logan crafting...

Friday Night Football...

Tonight was little league night at the high school. All the cheerleaders and football players were invited to walk out on the field and help welcome the varsity team before kickoff. The girls thought they were pretty cool, out there with all the other cheerleaders--even the high school girls. That is, until the "big boys" came out...Carsyn got a little "stage fright!" One of her coaches brought her back to mommy with tears in her eyes. Poor thing. But, she got over it and had fun cheering in the stands with Logan and the other girls from their squad. What a fun night.

Walking out...

Watching the game...Go Beavers!

Second Grade Field Trip...

Today both second grade classes went to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Logan was super-excited for her first field trip of the year, and mommy was extremely happy to get to chaperon. After a very informative, hands-on class about animal and insect habitats, the students were allowed to explore the museum with their small groups and parent leaders. Our group had a blast in the Wild Ohio area--checking out all the animals. They especially loved seeing the two fighting ferrets. They were pretty funny. All the kids had a great time. What a fun field trip!

Logan and Lakyn on the bus...

Logan in the tree house, bird-watching...

Our group checking out the turtles...

The Wheels on the Bus...

Even though we live just a mile and a half from school, the majority of the route is on a fairly busy road. So, we almost never walk to school. (Although Carsyn and mommy walk home from Kindergarten almost everyday, and Logan walks with mommy a couple of times per week--it's much easier to hold hands with one girl at a time.) Luckily the school bus stop is right in front of our house. However, Carsyn has been extremely reluctant about riding the bus. But, today she and Logan took a big step (literally) and rode the bus to school. It actually went really well (except for the fact that the bus was nearly 20 minutes late, making them all late to school.) There were only three other kids at our stop, but one of the little girls is in Carsyn's class, and her brother is in Logan's. They ended up really liking it, and now they say they want to ride the bus everyday.

The girls before school...

Carsyn waiting for the bus...

Getting on the bus...

Popcorn Festival...

We decided to check out the local Popcorn Festival this afternoon. The girls a great time jumping in the bounce house and playing games in the kids' area. They also were able to check out a fire truck and sample some yummy popcorn--of course! What a fun little event, right in our new hometown!

Logan...

Getting ready for some popcorn...

Maren...

Little firefighters...

Carsyn...

The girls...