September: The First 'Ber-rific Month'~

I don't know where I heard the phrase 'Ber' months, but I loved it and agree that they are some of the best of the year! The cozy holiday months! We are finishing summer and falling into the days of soup, fires, and football. I love getting pics of the grandbabies smiling, showing off birthday gifts, and building sparkly castles~

It's also the time for school field trips. Lennox is in PreK, and they go on lots of them. This year, Mimi is home with Miller, so they went with L to Babyland in Cleveland. What adorable kiddos~

EC is taking voice with Ms. Melissa and growing so much! SJ and EK have settled into a wonderful routine with sweet friends at college~

The August birthdays were finally celebrated with pulled pork sliders, sides, wedding cookies, and cupcakes. Happy birthday to Rosie, Leighton, Scottie, SJ, Susan, Susie, Scott, and Max~

EC gave CA a hair makeover with a wash, CUT, and curls. I'd say she did a great job because CA is beautiful~

Little Loves with the best life~

One of the reasons EC is taking voice is to be stronger on stage at youth group, and it is truly showing~

Our Anne study continues to be SO wonderful! We often let it spill into other subjects like Poetry Teatime. This day EC made raspberry cordial for us to enjoy out on the porch. The smiles tell the story~

We NEVER tire of reading poetry with each other~

Even our canine friends love it~

Thursday has been date night for a very long time, and one of our favorite spots is Up on the Roof, where we can celebrate the sunset of a wonderful day and life~

There is such a sweet vibe this year for school. Seriously, there's nothing we dread or hate. (Even math) They are thriving in all the subjects. In the thick of writing essays for Anne's first book right now. And our new dog Ford is in it with us~

The three Fleemans are adorable!!!

WP has begun Raider meets with JROTC. Scott and PC, along with Matthew, went to the first one and braved the heavy rain. They said the rain was better than the 98-degree sun weather we have been having~

I'm amazed at how WP sits atop this wall, pulls teammates to the top, and helps them over. Good job bud~

Look at those perfect faces~

We are back to loving on our babies for a couple of afternoons a week, and we couldn't be happier~

Leighton and Scottie HAVE to get makeovers when they come~

Snack supper for the win~

Hamilton!!! SJ's graduation gift finally arrived... we took her and a friend (because EK had strep) to The Fox for a 1pm performance~

They gave Scott and I the preview on the way, and boy are we glad they did. All dressed up~

At one point, Scott leaned over to say, "It's all a Rap... and I said yep." SO FUN! These girls pretty much knew the whole thing by heart~

A wonderful cast! We ended with a most delicious meal at Maggiano's~

Savannah and family had a wonderful day on the lake with new kayaks~

How is Hudson 3 months already? Cheers for these two~

CA's art teacher has been out of town, so she has been painting at home... gorgeous work~

I just never tire of sitting around the table. Meanwhile, we have a very sick college girls on our hands~

Cuties~

Ms. Debra reminded us to paint from a real specimen, so we went to the store, bought flowers, and came home to do just that~

Our morning walks have become a favorite daily habit! We snazzed up our binders this week too~

NEW idea! We had all the Anne of Green Gables picture books, so I ordered clear sticky notes and Sharpies for them to trace and color cute illustrations for their journals~

We love having them at out house~

More painting~

Leighton was inspired to paint her own masterpiece~

Friday was great and terrible because HM got her learner's permit~ great! I had vertigo and was so sick~ Terrible, and I missed LL's grandparent day, BUT she brought home my gifts and sent me a smile~ Great!

WP's second meet was at home so Scott and I were able to be there~

Boy, can things get out of hand on the obstacle course! A great team of kids~

I'd say that's a pretty great beginning to SeptemBER!!!

Birthdays, Stitches, and a Wedding~

Rosie and Leighton celebrated their birthdays four days apart, and we had a ball at Leighton's Magical Unicorn Waterslide 4 YO party~

It was at our church pavilion, and having a waterslide sure kept the kids cool and having fun. There were cupcakes and crafts and streamers~

The happiest girl alive~

They wore themselves out~

Happy birthday to our sweet, beautiful four year old~

The Dove boys started to school, and they are in 7th and 4th grade this year~

Hope and happy on the first day~

Sweet babies~

We adore having the grands here, and THEY are happy when Papa comes home for lunch~

Poor Ford had his boy surgery and had a very hard time recuperating. EC slept in the laundry room the first night~

And by the second day, we knew he needed to be seen~

After a trip to the vet, we headed to Athens, GA, to the UGA Vet Hospital. He was admitted to the ICU with internal bleeding which they helped and he came home the following evening~

We arrived home to a beautiful rainbow over our house~

The next day, SAME thing, and back we went for another overnight stay and the threat that he would need surgery. After more observations, meds, and fluids, he was able to come for good~

Calla wore her cute T-shirt from Matthew and Savannah, taking the boys to school~

Another successful art class for CA with Ms Debra~

We finally got her art framed and hung in her room~

Spirit Day and ready for the football game so Scottie could cheer with her team~

The grands doing all kinds of fun things~

Pound cakes for all the special people~

Big smiles all around because Mimi retired and is a full-time mama!!! Nothing sweeter for this crowd~

Most adorable visitors for the afternoon, and the sweetest dog, Ford~

Guess what happens when you are scheduled to fly to Idaho in the morning? The boys brought home groceries, and as usual, everyone went out to help unload. Sadly, when HM opened the back, a jar of marinara fell and burst, causing her to step back. Her foot stepped on a big piece of glass, cutting a gash. Rosie was here and calmly told me to take her to the ER. She was a trooper and got 3 stitches. Scott decided he needed to stay home and just let me go. It was hard for everyone, but they made the best of it~

Next morning, Mimi and I flew to Boise and met Nan there where we stayed together for the weekend~

Our hotel was gorgeous, and we had a rooftop bar with the most spectacular view ~

Thursday night, we met at a cute spot near their house for a get-together dinner. I got to spend the whole weekend with my sister too!!!~

Naomi and Sam came too, and we loved getting to know her since they will get married in May~

Friday evening, we went to Jessie and Steve's house for dinner under the trees. Delightful! They have a beautiful home, and we enjoyed being there with them and three children~

Perfect weather~

Lots of people to meet and chat with~

On Saturday, we all went to a Dry Bar and got blowouts and curls for the wedding~

Meanwhile, Josh and the boys were Waldos and joined a bike parade in Ft Collins~

Shopped and a while and got ready for the wedding~

A beautiful venue and a beautiful couple. Jessie has had a very hard few years, but finding Steve has brought peace, joy, and love to her and her kids. We could NOT be more thankful to be here to see them make their vows forever~

Everyone was so happy to be together and looked perfect~

Fun, fun, fun~

Let the party begin~

Cousins~

Sweet girl pained another masterpiece~

My little love Hudson~

The saddest part of going to Idaho, other than leaving my children, was NOT being home on Scott's 65th birthday. He got this cute shirt from the big girls, and the kids here sang to him, and they went out to lunch. At least I landed and got home by nightfall. I love you honey and wish many, many more~

How is that for an end to August? 

Bring on the 'BERS'!!! ❤️

My FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR!!!!!