I am currently on vacation from work!!  What a nice needed break it has been.  It's been busy but so nice being home with my family.  Jason had summer school all summer, so I waited until now to take time off since he is also off.  The kids head back to school on Wednesday, so we were not able to go anywhere due to open houses, etc. but the time at home has been good.

On Thursday I spent a large part of the day rearranging the girls bedroom and cleaning it out.  They wanted their bunk beds separated and now we have two twin beds in the room.  It is full, but the room looks nice.  This was a good time to clean out all of the secret junk stashes they had. : )  Jason spent time cleaning up the yard and mowing.  Thursday night we went to Silas and Caroline's Back to School Bash.  They got to meet their teachers and drop off their school supplies.  Lots of school supplies...  Silas has the same teacher the girls had for Kindergarten (yay!) and Caroline's teacher seems really nice.  We were disappointed because all of her friends are in a different class and we were concerned with a couple of the girls in her class.  Jason went up to talk to the principal about it (we highly respect him and his decision) but just wanted to let him know our concerns.  He was wonderful and explained things and we feel good about things now.  We did learn through that discussion that Caroline is one of the top 2nd graders in the entire school.  We are so proud of her!

Friday we had a slow morning at home and then went shopping for a few things.  After that we went to Ma-maw's and Pa-paw's for lunch and then came home to get ready for Jason's family to come over.  Both of his sisters & families and his parents were here for dinner!  It was great to see everyone.  Kristyn is pregnant and we all found out through a fun surprise that she is having a little girl!  She had a bakery make a cake with pink frosting in the middle and we all found out the sex of the baby when she and Mark cut the cake.  Fun!  During the middle of the family party, I had to leave and go to Madelyn's orientation and parent meeting for her new school.  It was lots of information and a little overwhelming but very exciting.  She is going to LOVE her school.  Friday night our niece Kahlan spent the night - the girls had a blast.

Saturday I took Caroline & AG to her horseback riding lesson and Jason took the other kids to meet his family for breakfast.  The kids went back to his parents house and hung out with their cousins and aunts.  It was nice to have a little down time and only one child!  J & I went to the grocery and I made a couple dishes to take to my family dinner that evening.  Saturday night we went to my parents house to celebrate my dad's 58th bday and my grandpa's 84th bday.  I made quinoa salad and sweet and spicy cucumbers.  Both were a hit with the kids!

Today we went to church (new post coming about that soon).  We have been going to a new church this summer and are really enjoying it.  This afternoon Madelyn had an ice cream social for her new school and got to meet the kids in her class.  Fun! 

So, it's been busy, but fun.  I'm off until Thursday and looking forward to a few more days.  We have a trip to Mammoth Cave planned for tomorrow and then Tuesday we are going to hang out and get ready for the first day of school the next day!  K, 2nd grade and 4th grade.  Where has the time gone?!

Anna-Grace turned 8 months old on August 5th.  I kind of missed my 7 month post, so I'll combine these two.  She is still just a sweet and loved by the entire family!  Here are some things about our girl right now:

• She talks up a storm!  She says da-da, has started the "m" sound and has sad maa a few times.  She says "bye" but it sounds like da-da a little.  She squeals, blows raspberries, giggles and loves to hear herself jabbering.
• She learned to wave a few weeks ago and says "bye" while waving.  I think we have a baby genius on our hands! : )
  
• Everyone and I mean everyone comments on her smile.  She will smile for anyone at almost anytime.  She is a very happy baby.
• She is taking two naps.  One morning and one afternoon.
• She goes to bed around 8:00.  I feed her and she sleeps in her own bed!!!  Well, until she wakes up - usually between 12:00 - 2:00 am.  I have been trying to return her to her bed after I feed her.  Some nights I only feed her once, other nights (like the last two) she will wake up to 3 times. : (  I'm wondering if she is teething.
• She sits very well and rolls around.  No crawling yet.
• She likes to stand with help and jump around.
• Everything goes in her mouth.
• She enjoys sitting on the floor playing with all of her toys.
• She still likes her excersaucer.
• She loves to eat food.  She is still on her baby food diet.  I gave her some saltine crackers for the first time this week and she likes them.
• Her interest in nursing is decreasing.  She is so afraid she is going to miss something!  I think that's why she is so hungry at night.  She is too busy to stop and eat during the day.
• She is still doing great at school.  I know that in a few months she will have to move to a new room and that makes me sad.
• She gives the best hugs.  She really reaches for Jason and I and always gives us a hug when we pick her up.  So sweet!
• She knows her momma and daddy and is very partial to them.
• She loves swimming and bath time.

Pictures from the last two months to come soon.  Anna-Grace - you continue to bring such joy to our family.  We love you so much!