August

August was a busy month for us!  First and foremost---drum roll, please--R graduated!!  And there was much rejoicing!  We decided that since he missed graduation for his first Masters' Degree, we'd take a trip and make it to this one.  It was a beautiful drive, although it was long.  :)  We were so taken with the rolling green hills (you could see out!!) and the red barns.

 

 We stopped on the way at the Susquehanna River, where Joseph Smith was baptized, and the Aaronic Priesthood was restored.  It was a beautiful and peaceful place. 

 Graduation itself was quite underwhelming, but we were glad we went.  They didn't even play "Pomp and Circumstance!"  I was so disappointed.  And the Masters' students were pre-seated, while the Doctoral students marched (slowly, slowly) in and were seated one. by. one.  Ugh.  And, you know how every graduation emcee asks the families and friends not to applaud--and then everyone does anyway?  NOBODY DID.  It was so sad.  We couldn't even clap for him.  Anyway, we blew out of there as soon as it was over!  Good riddance.

 After graduation, the real fun began.  We figured we were halfway there, so we continued on to Ohio to visit some fun family!  M&Peter were great hosts.  We had so much fun!  Peter started Med school right after they were married, and we haven't seen much of him.  It was great to hang out together.

And apparently we had too much fun with Gavin and Shauna, because I. didn't. take. a. single. photo.  Blast!  I'm so sad.  Our boys had so much fun with little Nathan--it was so cute!  And Shauna shared her bargain-shopping skills with me for a fantastic girls outing--including my first Chik-Fil-A sandwich.  Yummmmm.  Wish we lived closer.  Thanks for the yummy food and entertaining us!

We took a day trip into Indianapolis to meet up with my college roommate, but again, I failed to take a decent picture....  It was fun to catch up and meet her kiddies, though!

 The kids were mostly fantastic in the car.  Much of that due to a PianoGuys CD we burned before we left.  Seriously, the perfect music.  Mellow enough for the baby to sleep to, energetic enough to keep the driver alert, and "cool" enough for the boys to jam to (and they do!!).  Seatbelt straps make great pretend-cellos!  We also had movies, coloring, books, treats, treats, and more treats. 


We took a huge bag of BabyGirl's little toys.  She would play with one and inevitably drop it and we'd hand her another, so every time we stopped and got out, we had to fill the bag back up.  :)  She was a trooper--only a few melt-downs that were completely justified.....  I took a huge piece of fabric to cover up her car seat when it was nap time--the boys are just too entertaining to ignore.  It was secured to the headrest behind and in front of her so she couldn't pull it down.  Worked pretty well, and we were so grateful.

When we got back, there were only a few short days before school started.  Our ward primary took a trip to the Boston Temple, and the children got to go inside the foyer.  It was a special experience, and hopefully one that the boys will remember.

We also went apple-picking!  We look forward to it all year.  It was the first day of picking at our favorite farm--Parlee Farm.  The Ginger Gold apples (our favorite!!!!) were so huge.  Seriously, we were shocked!  They were DE.LISH!  Oh, to be able to eat those all year!  Even BabyGirl got in on the goods this year.

 And I can't believe my little guys are so grown up.  D-man is a proud kindergartener.  It wears him out, but he loves going, and is having a great time.  Mr. B is still waiting for his teacher to give him enough homework.  :)  He is reading up a storm and loves math.

 BabyGirl and I are still figuring out how to make it through the day without the brothers.  She gets so excited when they get home.