The Annual Carnival!

Friday night was the annual CCLS carnival. 
There is no great story about ride drama, it was very (thankfully) uneventful.
Anne brought up before we even got there, that she probably would want to hang out with her friends.  (what the WHAT!?)  We explained that, that couldn't be an option because it was open to the community and we wouldn't know everyone, like usual.
Yep, that went over like poop in the punch bowl. 
BUT she respected it.
We get there, and her friends were all without their parents.  UGH!
I was firm, and said that is our rule....
that idea led to her spending the first 35 minutes, alone.  With us. 
We re-evaluated and came to the conclusion, that she should go with her friends, she just wouldn't know her daddy was close behind, but not intrusive.  It worked perfect.  She even ditched her friends for her daddy.  (so sweet)
We really had a great time.
Besides my heart weeping that my dear daughter wanted to be without us. ;)

well....we lived

the first day of school has come and gone.
today was day 3 for the girls, and day 2 for me.
the girls were on day 3 slump. super tired this morning.
I on the other hand was a zombie. :)
the first few days are always a little rough.
next week is a FULL WEEK! EEKS!
the girls are absolutely thrilled with their classes, teachers, and friends.
so that makes us, equally thrilled.

1st grade

brand new shoes. :)

4th grade

new shoes for anne :)

love them

she was a bit nervous. 

she chose to walk herself to class....but we had to give something to one of her friends, so we caught a quick photo

a new year

well. last week, we had our teacher home visits.
I think it is going to be a great year for both girls!
the teachers are just great.
I can NOT believe that Anne is in 4th grade and Kate is in 1st.
Just crazy.  Time is absolutely flying.
Things will be different.  Anne will have 'real' homework.
Kate will have homework. (finally)
But we will make it.  And it will be great.
(I keep repeating that. over and over. and over.) :)
Here is a peek back at the years with our home visits.  Kdg.  1st.  2nd (um.....I know I took a pic but it's not on the blog?!)  3rd/Kdg.
And this years....

Mrs. Brannan. 4th grade

Mrs. Schmidt-1st grade. (note to self....move fire extinguisher. UGH!)

a little bit of news....

So. While we were in Minnesota....there was an accident.
Some creatures got into our chicken castle (coop) and ate them.  All. 
All five of them.
Our poor neighbor who was chicken sitting for us stumbled upon the mess.
It was quite the heartbreak for us.
We were quite emotional for much longer then I had thought we would be.
I was more emotional then I had ever imagined, about CHICKENS!
We are planning on getting a new flock. 
There was a small defect in the construction of the coop, which led to the invasion and chaos.
Nature is nuts. 
We miss those dumb birds.
~chat soon!

just a few more

we had a mini lake front photo shoot.  nearly a disaster. but we salvaged a few.

who is THIS?!

last sunrise.  need to study up on how to take a sunrise picture.  this is NOT what it looked like!

our cabin. ;)

More Minnesota

Here are a few more fun pictures from Minnesota.
Looking back at them, makes my heart smile.
It was a fantastic trip!

a new friend.

anne is the shark. eating kate.  get it?

we were in Ottertail.  Apparently, they are serious about it being named that.