Camping Trip

This past weekend, we took the girls to Springfield, IL to camp with our friends Wade and Nikki and their 3 kids. We had a great time. On Saturday, there was pumpkin picking, a costume contest, trick or treating around the campground, and a haunted house. Sunday, we left the campground early and headed to New Salem to see the re-created town where Abraham Lincoln lived. Here's some pictures:

Ready for the costume contest

Camper Trick or Treating

The school house at New Salem

Checking out the goods in the general store

Friends: Sofia and Chloe

Breaking out the snacks

Hangin' out with Abe

Where has the month gone?

Wow, I can't believe that September is almost over! We've had a busy month with school year activities starting (gymnastics, swimming, piano, choir, AWANA, etc.) And trying to fit in some fun activities too. Eric traveled with the Tour of Missouri bicycle race for 10 days. He had a lot of fun, but it made for some hectic days for me! His 35th birthday was a week ago. He and I finally got to celebrate Friday night with dinner out and going rock climbing. We've also been trying to get in some time together on Monday and Wednesday mornings while both the little girls are in preschool. So far we've been going bike riding whenever he doesn't have any early meetings. I can't say I'm any good, but its fun to do something together.

As for the girls, Chloe LOVES preschool. She has done better with the transition than any other child in her class. Elise continues with preschool (although she'd rather it be kindergarten), gym and swim class (she is our most talented swimmer so far), and music class. Claire and Emilie are doing great in school. Claire is doing really well with her ADHD medication. We switched things around a little this summer and she has done really well. She's taking private piano lessons now and really enjoying them in addition to singing in her church choir. Emilie is reading great, taking the piano class that Claire finished last spring, and singing in choir too. Claire and Emilie are also going to participate in the Read, Right, Run "Marathon" team at their school. The kids meet after school on Mondays, run a mile, read a book, and do a good deed. Then when the spring St. Louis 1/2 marathon rolls around, they have a 1 mile "race" as a team and get a t-shirt.

Anyway, that's all the scoop I can think of for now. We've got camping trips coming up the next 3 weekends, and then its Halloween! So hopefully I'll be a little more regular about posting updates :-) For now, I'll end with some pictures:

Eric took Claire and Emilie to a Mud Fest. They had a blast and got good and dirty.

Claire, Elise, and Chloe with their cousin Taylor at Cousin Christina's wedding.

Eric, Elise, and Emilie at the wedding.

Emilie and Taylor

Meeting our friends Jimmy and Emily's new baby Eva

Apple picking at Eckerts

Trip to Hermann, MO

My mom and I took the girls to Hermann, MO this morning for their Fall Festival. We met up with our friends Clay, Heather, Coyle, and Bella while we were there. We had a great time looking at all the craftsmen (and women) and enjoying the nice weather. They also had a great petting zoo. Here are a few pictures from our afternoon:

Lunch at Hermannhof Winery

Checking out the tractors

Farm equipment

Happy to be out of the car after 2 hours

Watching the lady make doilies

They loved the doll makers

Emilie picked out an apron for cooking class

Petting a calf at the petting zoo

1st Day of Preschool

Random cute pics

Maisy meets Buddy

We've got a new kitten to add to our menagerie. Her name is Maisy, and she's 2 months old. The girls absolutely love her! And Eric is undergoing 3 years of allergy shots so they can have her... What a great daddy! Here are some pictures I took of Maisy's 1st meeting with Buddy. They were both a little unsure as I'm sure you can tell. But they are doing really good now.

Puff tail

Poor Buddy!

1st Day of School