Happy Birthday Natalie!

On Saturday we went to wish Natalie a happy 13th birthday!  It is crazy to think of all that has changed in the last 13 years.  We weren't sure who was taller but it looks like Mason and Olivier have her beat.  Sorry Natalie!  

And it looks like my brother only has a short time left before Mason passes him but, and Olivier isn't far off either!

And today we went to the bus roadeo at my work.  I didn't take any photos but a co-worker did share this cute one with me of Olivier helping out in the fishing booth.  It was a fun event and I am thankful for the kids and Matt joining me!

 

Rain and pleasant start to fall!

This week started with a nice amount of rain, and for us an unheard of amount to be honest.  We got well over an inch!  Yippee!  It was fairly quiet but the usual busy.  On Friday the football team had an away game so Anna was able to join us for an event with some of Matt's coworkers.  After we went my some murals on campus.  This one had an empty chair painted so I took Olivier's photo sitting in it.

Anna was happy she got a riding lesson this weekend after a few weeks of either her being busy or her instructor being unavailable.  That was a nice perk!  And now we get ready for a busy week ahead!

Much cooler and maybe more rain??!!?

This week was our normal busy routine with a home football game we attended to see the first time the band performed their field show!  Here is a fun photo of Anna in what almost feels like a Where's Waldo situation.  

And here is a video of their field show!  Enjoy!

And now we are trying not to get our hopes up too high but we might get an inch of rain overnight tonight and into tomorrow.  Feels super crazy!  But we are also super excited!  

Melting in this wild weather!

Last week the heat wave started and was suppose to lighten the middle of this week.  Well, the temp did drop a few degrees (we hit the 90's instead of just over 100) but there is a tropical storm that is brining moisture and humidity which is making it feel even hotter.  Ugh!  On Friday after the football game it started raining!  And some games had to be cancelled because there was lightening in the area!  Wild!

On Saturday night we got about 0.2 inches of rain.  I know for most that is nothing but for us in September it is a big deal.  We are hoping the forecast for the week ahead turns out to be somewhat correct and we will be back to the 70's that we are used to!  Anna had a band field drill day all day Saturday and she was a hot blob after.  Olivier had jiu jitsu and was a hot blob after.  

Today Mason started a volleyball skills clinic.  He had started the program shortly before COVID started and we hadn't gotten back into it but he is giving it another go.  He has a friend who is also doing it.  And today with the crazy heat and humidity he was a hot blob but did a really good job of keeping with the drills.  

 Hoping the kids don't end up as hot blob this week!  

Look who’s smiling big today!

No more braces for Anna!

Band is in full swing!

This week we started to get the hand of the new school year schedule.  And dealing with a crazy heat wave.  With all that, we attended the first home football game for the high school Friday night and got to see the hard work Anna has been putting in with the band.  here they are taking the field.

They played the national anthem before the game.  

All dressed up!  

They were playing the high school I attended, and I cheered for both teams but did participate in the "black out" that they were doing.  Didn't bring my jacket from high school because it was too hot!  Did need the light sweatshirt that I did bring.  

On Saturday the band went to a local small town and participated in their parade.  Mason and I went to see the parade (we had never been) and at the start there was a flyover of three small older planes.  A fun site.  

One of the groups was handing out popsicles which we were very happy to receive.  Anna's group was almost the last group but it was worth the wait to see how they were having fun!  

And since then we are struggling to stay cool.  Yesterday we got just over 109 degrees and today we hit over 104.  Maybe tomorrow we stay below 100...maybe??  At least we will be home for the holiday weekend and able to take it easy!  

 

Busy first week!

This was the first full week of school and things are still getting settled.  For example, Olivier is now going to be playing the French horn and due to the size one will be at home and one will be at school so he doesn't have to bring it back and forth.  This is how big it is and you might say that isn't so big because it is hard to get an idea of the scale.  

And this is a better idea on size with the scale of his hand.  

We still had paperwork coming home and the middle school back to school night.  And Anna started Tuesday night rehearsals and next week she starts afternoon sectional practice also.  And they have their first home football game and first parade.  Busy busy!  

On Friday night Matt took the boys to the paintball park for a blacklight gelly ball event.  The boys had a good time for the most part.  And while they were away I started hearing this noise and when I realized what it was I had to take a video to capture the noise.  Take a listen:  

Turns out Olivier's hamster Beans likes to run in the wheel when Olivier isn't in his room and it makes this sound!  And he did a lot of running on the wheel that night!  Silly Beans!