Stopping to smell the flowers

(Jonas and Jember are 20 months old today!)






September. Just like that, the traces of summer slip away. Ross and I find ourselves back into the chaos of our teaching jobs. I wish the words "chaos" and "teaching" didn't have to go hand in hand. But that seems to be the way it rolls in our corner of the world.

We transition into another season. Up at 6am. To work by 7am. Lisa (our wonderful nanny) shows up at 7am. The kids transition into spending at least half their day with her.

I'm happy to say my schedule has me home by noon. Well, its a hectic sort of happy. I power through 4 class periods with classes overflowing...then pack up and zoom home. Its pretty tiring, too be honest. I had this amazing image of myself as this "supermommy" rushing home to bake cookies, take outings, and lead art projects with my energetic little toddlers. Alas. Right now, the best thing I have achieved (after a week with their nap times being different from each other) is to realign their nap schedule. I did attempt to stroll with them down to the bank one afternoon, and then for a little ice cream. But, I was so pooped after the outing (and both kids were crying for a nap on the walk home) that I needed a nap myself. Sigh. So much for image as supermom.

Luckily, the weather has been gorgeous. Here are some images of the last few weekends as we embrace the last of the long summer days and greet the early days of autumn:

September blooms in Maple Falls...views from last weekend
(what can I say. We love it up here. Sue and Shirely's farm in the mountains...)















Picnic and Canoeing at Baker Lake
(Ross recognizing his dream. He gets to introduce the little ones to their first canoe float...)






And yet another weekend... A picnic at Silver Lake
(My first time ever in a kayak. I loved it...)



August 18th, 2009. An important day. We re-adopt the babies in a U.S. court.
(That's the judge in the middle. Also present was Uncle Jim ~ who donated many hours for us as our lawyer...and always supportive Aunt Linda).



So, we continue to enjoy our weekends as long as the warm weather lasts! Blogging is getting trickier. And I can't help but wonder who is really out there reading this. So...maybe let me know if you are still with me. :0) Reach out...communicate!
(leaving a comment is ok too...)

Enjoy your autumn days!

Until then ~ back to the grind.

Summer Splendor

Greetings!

The long, lazy days of summer are winding down. What a sweet summer it has been. We have spent the majority of our time joyfully playing with Jonas and Jember. Anyone who has ever spent long periods of time playing with our toddlers will know of the zany, high energy, humorous and boundary exploring adventures that come your way. It also explains why blogging gets a bit harder. We're spending more time in the sunshine and less time on the computer. (Which feels like a really healthy thing too.)

We are so fortunate to have our summers off to play full-time with our kids.

We decided this summer that we would be spending our time here - in our own backyard. While the decision was a hard one to make (our families live in Wisconsin and Montana and we miss them!) it was really a good one for us. We have slowed down a bit and found our rhythm. We have explored our own community and spent afternoons playing in our many parks, taking walks along the trails in Bellingham, and playing in the sunshine. We have gathered with dear friends and let Jember and Jonas play and run happily in green places.

Ya can't beat that!

Here are some of the highlights of Summer 09!


Grandpa Bud and Grandma Sharon visit (One week is not enough. But it was fun while it lasted!)




Dozens of delicious days spent with Sue and Shirley. (Time spent with Sue and Shirley in their pretty mountain home is time spent very, very well.)Fresh garden food, happy babies running naked in the sprinklers, and the dearest aunties anyone could ever ask for...

Sue's art studio. And the fire pit just waiting for dark and the next batch of roasted hotdogs...



Ross and Jonas coming out of the coziest cabin on earth.



Shirley makes pancakes on the front porch, with fresh berries for a summer brunch. (oh. The BEST pancakes we had ever eaten!!)



Jerry, Pat and Sue await pancakes at the table set under the trees.


Pat and silly Jember


Shirley's pancakes make us very happy!!!








Eating sun-ripe berries




Babies first corn-on-the cob





Running in the sprinkler. (What you don't see, is at the exact moment this picture was taken, Jonas found the water controls and turned up the water VERY HIGH on his sister! Surprise Jember!)


Happy Jember.



A boy in his natural habitat. "Ahhh nature...."




Shhhh. A quiet moment for mom. Art lessons with Sue. And if you look very, very closely, you will notice the absence of children. (Every now and then...mom needs to unplug too. We try and do this once a week.)


Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market (Fresh fruit and veggies. Bellingham has an AWESOME farmers market!)




Playing at Lake Whatcom (One of our parks, only 10 minutes away)




Backyard Cabana Party. (Temps climbed into the upper 90's for a day or so. We beat the crazy heat in our own backyard...)

(Don't laugh. Hidden behind that little pool is a cooler with fresh fruit, cheese and crackers and a picture of margaritas. Hey. Parents need to have a little fun too...)










Mmmmm. Performing art and Yogurt



You can tell that she is done by the angle of the spoon on her head...


Matching Hats (Ross is very proud of this photo!)


Our 7th Anniversary! August 7th. 7 years of marriage. We celebrate by taking a 36 hour vacation to Victoria. B.C. Dear friends (Judson and Lori Swets) watch the babies. We have a lovely time visiting friends and enjoying time together.


And for those who were wondering: Jonas had tubes put in his ears which has VASTLY improved life for him. No more ear infections. No more pain. Yes!

We hope you are all well. Its hard to believe it is mid August already. Next week we finally have our court date that officially makes Jonas and Jember legal US citizens. Pictures to follow I am sure!

Until then ~ we hope you get out and enjoy these final days of August!

Jonas and Jember (and Toby the dog) (He belongs to Elizabeth) ready for their next adventure!