September Chaos

September is here (and almost over), and for us that means the beginning of our crazy school schedule. Last week alone, we started preschool for Kylie and Mom's Day Out for Brooks, gymnastics for both kids, swimming for Kylie, and a couple of mom's groups for me. Don't get me wrong, I love a good routine, but we are definitely ready for bed time by the end of the day and the weekend by the end of the week. Happy Fall!

Before school started we enjoyed a few more of our favorite activities.

We went to the zoo with Kylie's friend, Lucy.

The penguins were playing with the girls. 

It was super cool!

Kylie and Lucy!

I've been obessed with Annie Sloan chalk paint latley.

I've painted 4 chairs, and I'm moving on to the table this week.

Wrestling with daddy.

Our friend, Cristian, had his birthday party at the park next to the fire station.

It was a super hero theme so we made super hero outifts.

We also got to visit the fire trucks.

Jon and I went to a concert at Buckeye Lake!

It was so fun!

Kylie and I like to experiment with different hair styles.

This one is called "diamond hair."

Happy Labor Day!

We spent the morning at an arts festival at a local park.

"I'm safety girl!" - Kylie

Bath time!

All dressed up and ready for the first Buckeye football game of the season!

"I'm hiding in a box, mom!" -Brooks

Kylie's first day of preschool!

The Columbus Clippers made the play offs and Jon got to cover one of the games!

It was a beautiful night!

Kylie's first art project at school!

Kylie has had two swimming lessons and she is loving it!

Meanwhile back in Columbus...

We love summer in Columbus. We are staying busy with lots of fun activities, and we're trying to soak it all up before the routine of school and coolness of fall arrive!

My little monkeys.

Climber boy!

We went to the Ohio State Fair.

I love fairs, but this was not as impressive as I was hoping.

I guess I've been spoiled with the Minnesota State Fair.

Oh well, it was still fun!

Pronto Pups!

We also went to an Irish Festival in Dublin (a suburb of Columbus).

Supposedly it's the biggest Irish Fest in the country.

It was really fun!

Climbing with friends!

Another trip to the zoo on a hot, hot day!

Minnesota!

Minnesota! It was our first home as a family and one of our favorite places to visit. We love going back to see many of our family and friends from all different phases of our lives! We had a fun and busy three week vacation. We spent a couple of those weeks in Stewartville and one week in Hudson. Here are A LOT of pictures from our days there...

Our favorite Stewie park: Lake Florence Park!

We spent a ton of time on the King Family Farm.

Brooks LOVES tractors, and asked Grandpa Jimmie-John for a ride every chance he got.

And Grandpa couldn't say no.

We had a visit from a police officer on National Night Out.

I'm hoping this is the only visit we ever have from a police officer.

We ate ice cream at the DQ!

My girl has a sweet tooth like her mama!

We drove up to the Cities to have a play date with some of my high school friends (aka Pink Stars).

This is a few of the next generation of Pink Stars.

L to R: Emma, Brooks, Kylie, Henley, and Hudson (Scout is in the door)

We took a trip up to the Mall of America with my cousin's daughter, Ayanna, to check out the Barbie Dream House.

It wa very pink.

Brooksie likes all motor vehicles regardless of color!

Some more time at the Farm with most of Super Grandma's great grandkids.

L to R: Emmit, Miles (with Debbie), Tommy, Kylie, and Brooks.

Ayanna hung out with us another day too.

More tractor rides!

And skid loader rides!

We had King family pictures taken.

This was the only picture I took while we were taking pictures because taking pictures of 4 toddlers/preschoolers is a lot like herding cats.

I am looking forward to seeing the results though!

Then we headed up to Hudson and Jon was even able to join us for a few days!

We went to a nearby county fair.

Brooks got to feed a horse.

Kylie was too afraid to feed the horse, but she did opt for a horse head picture....

...and a horse face painting.

It was free. :)

There were baby llamas,

and pony rides,

and balloon hats with the cousins!

L to R: Kylie, Brooks, Espen, Elias

Kylie and Espen doing morning yoga,

making straw rockets,

and playing marble works!

And finally a delicious dinner at Steve's Pizza Palace! YUM!

Then we headed back down to Stewie.

We met up with Anne and family at Thursday's on First.

L to R: Me, Brooks, Kylie, Graham, Anne, and Callahan

We spent more time at the Farm!

We had even more tractor rides!

My friend, Marissa, is expecting her first baby in October.

We were able to get most of the Pink Stars together for a shower!

L to R: Kristin (with Hudson), Schroeder, Ruthie, Marissa, Me (with Brooks), Molly

We missed Amanda!

Here are all of the Pink Star babes.

L to R: Kylie, Brooks, Henry, Emma, Hudson holding Henley (with two more on the way)

Pink Star Moms, Pink Stars, and Pink Star Babies

We decided to break the drive up into two chunks on the way back.

We stayed at an indoor water park in Chicago.

The kids had a blast!

There were also rides, arcade games, and a mini bowling alley at the hotel!