Boo!

Stealing a couple of nice days before the snow will eventually fly, we biked to a park close by our house where Aliya has learned to do the spider with mom. You're never too old for the swings.

 "Did I scare you mom?" We don't need Halloween to say that one around here. We don't typically do scary…check out these little innocent girls. Inspired by the Wise Owl, Hoot, in the play Snow White and the Seven Dwarves of the Forest this summer, Madison, the Owl.

Straight from 1812, Caroline the American Girl look-a-likes.

 "Mom, next year, we're going to all be Little House on the Prairie. Madison will be Mary, Breanne will be Laura and Aliya will be Carrie. You can be Grace and stay home." Nice to know I can pass for a baby..I digress. Sweet as ever, a blonde middle girl, Breanne. AKA, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

And even carving pumpkins around here is girly. Check out Minnie Mouse

and Cinderella's Pumpkin Carriage. Of course Cinderella's friends Belle and Aurora joined in for the ride. Now we just need mice…or not.

Spicing it up

I never understood how a woman wouldn't "have time" to paint her toenails. Seriously, how long could that possibly take? Sometimes we eat our words. I get it. I bewilders me how having 3 growing children take more time that 3 toddler and babies. Just the same, we keep rolling and I try to constantly remind myself that the most important thing I can do is be with Jesus.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't as proud as a peacock of Aliya's first quilting project. We learned about Noah and God's promise to him then made a rainbow quilt reminding us of God's Promises. 

"Sewing is fun," Aliya decided. She's eagerly awaiting her next project but mom's been keeping the machine busy getting costumes ready for Halloween.
 The "big girls" are busy with piano & playing with Kendall (Breanne's passions) and dance & guitar (Madison's passions). They are excellent students and had great reports from their teachers at conferences. All three girls were able to spend the long break from school at Grandma Barb's last weekend. It was excellent for all parties involved I believe.

Returning home from Grandma's is probably totally boring. Aliya tried to spice things up a bit by Mexicanizing our football food this past Monday night (wasn't THAT a HORRIBLE football game!). Here she is measuring out ingredients for Mexican hot chocolate and also treated us with Mexican cookies. Maybe her recipes weren't immediate family favorites, BUT it's the process that makes memories, right?

"..too good and too small!"

Our new motto around here is, they're "too good and too small!" It doesn't matter if you're talking about pancakes, summer memories with friends or birthday celebrations! Here's a recap in pictures of the last 2 months for us....eegads!

Hanging out with Tiann and Alyssa at the pool in Billings. 

Madison snuggling with Justice on the top bunk. 

Aliya's total disbelief moment with Justice.

Storytime with silly Mr. Jared.

I love it that a good friend can pick up right where you left off! Great moments with Andrea!

And we're off for Sioux Charlie Lake...3 miles ahead.

Snapshots along the trail.

Ms. Sarah being the awesome friend she is, involved in the girls' lives, chatting about the day as the sun sets.

We caught "some" fish.

The famous rock...great for fishing and sunning.

Silly moments.

Spray park with Brogan & Cienna.

Aliya...photo bomb while mom and Ms. Brandee pose....and yes, we do know these people Aliya!

Musical chairs with Carter.

Hot tub moments with the prince Carter.

Hiking up to Mystic...3 miles one way and the tradition for every 4-year old in our family.

Mom and Aliya made it!

Forest fires made it hazy, but still majestic.

"This is the best day EVER!"

Doug, Sarah, Becky and Derrick

FabFour!

First day of school...and the bus forgot to pick them up!

Treasure hunting for potatoes.

Soon there'll be FIVE in the picture!

Camping with stocking caps and the recorder...with Uncle Ben and Aunt Melissa.

Check out this water fountain!

"Take your fingers out of your mouth Aliya!"

The birthday girl and newest member of the DeWilde family: Caroline. (Glad we didn't catch her hair on fire!)

Grandma hit a home run with Caroline and Aliya matching outfits.

Surprise! Grandma and Grandpa came to celebrate! Made the birthday girl's day.

Sure sign

A sure sign that life has been busy at best is when I don't even realize I haven't updated our blog in over a month! Yowzers! It has been a good one though. Here's a quick run down.

Both Madison & Breanne participated in their first 4H Fashion Revue and construction judging. Madison loved it and Breanne was indifferent...but those ribbons sure were great. They also got to model at the public Fashion Revue at the County Fair.

July was full with 3-weeks preparation for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. They performed two shows and enjoyed themselves while making new friends.

We left the matinee performance and headed to Gooseberry Falls State Park on Lake Superior for a long weekend of camping with our church. Saturday's weather broke records for being the coolest day...not so fun. Sunday was gorgeous. Did some geocaching and hanging out in the sun.

Kisses on the trail...

On Lake Superior. 

I think she's stealing all my kisses.

Back from camping and into fair mode. We took a road trip with the girls' friends to the Pipestone County Fair to watch the Swine Show. Imagine the looks we got buying ice-cream for six little blondies at the Dairy booth. Good times!

This past Friday was Madison's turn to show her pigs that she quickly named, Rodney and Harriet (yes, from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)

Although she got 2 reds for her hogs, the bleachers were full with her fan club: Grandpa Verlyn, Grandma Barb, Auntie Kayla, Uncle Bryce, Grandpa Leon, Grandma Linda, Holly and Grandpa Great Bert. Best part of the fair was watching Madison and even Breanne take care, pride and ownership of the pig and their chores. EXCELLENT family time!