The frame is up!

From Construction 09

Unbelievable! The framers came over on Friday morning and they got ALL of the frame up! The guys were absolutely amazing - we've never seen anyone work so quickly and efficiently, we are so grateful to have found this wonderful team. They still think they'll be done by mid-October!

Clark County Fair '09

From CC Fair

The fair came to town! Unfortunately, so did the rain - but it could not keep us away! On Thursday night, we met buddies Will, Conner and ME for pizza before heading over to the fair. Frog rainboots on all three kiddos - check! We spent all of our time in the animal section, which was covered and only a little stinky. One of the kids at our church was awarded "Grand Champion" for his steer - congrats, Seth, we felt so cool to know you that night :)



The kids had a great time. Carlisle was a little terrified of the cows but otherwise the animals and kids got along great. The rabbits were Carli's favorite and, unfortunately, the boys' too as they played in the sawdust and kept picking up brown pellets. Ew. The kids also voluntarily closed themselves up in a goat stall and literally could have stayed in there all day! Don't worry, there were no goats sharing the space, though they seem like lovely creatures.

From CC Fair

Of course, I have to also share this one... Carlisle and Will playing coy on the bench...

From CC Fair

The next morning, Kendal hung out with C&J while I went in for work for a while. I don't usually work on Fridays but I feel like a ticking time bomb (35 weeks now!) and have way too much to finish up before I leave for maternity. Anyway, just a few cute pics he took of the kids enjoying a little "Good Morning America" while sharing the recliner. They really do like each other :)

From CC Fair

From CC Fair

Under Construction... and Pressure...

From Construction

Wow, it's really happening. The kids and I got home on Thursday afternoon to find three trucks - including a cement truck! - in our yard! We finally worked out the details to add a master bedroom to our house since we've outgrown our current bedroom situation. I knew the team was starting on Thursday morning, but I had no idea they would work so fast! The kids were excited about the trucks... until we went into the backyard to inspect the work. Then they were terrified. Uh-oh. Hopefully the work will be completed quickly and we can get in our new room before Evie Claire joins us - yes, we are crazy!

Labor Day

For Labor Day, my parents made the long drive from Mississippi to spend some time playing with the kiddos. They came armed with fall togs from Gymboree (Woo-hoo!), fresh Gulf shrimp and mom's incredible chocolate cake.

On the first morning, my parents took the twins (and me to document) to McDonald's for breakfast. May sound unremarkable, but it was the kids' first McD's breakfast and they quickly took to the pancakes and bacon. When I was about their age, my dad and I would take a long Saturday morning bike ride and then stop for a weekly date at McDonald's. We did this for many years and those mornings are some of the best from my childhood. I'm so glad my dad decided to continue the tradition with the twins (and Evie got to come, too, so she wasn't left out!).

From Labor Day 09

We spent lots of time at the house playing, drawing and eating. The kids LOVE to play with "Big Daddy," so they were in heaven. We also got the kids dressed to root on the Tigers season opener against U-Dub. Since the game came on at 10PM our time, they had to miss kick-off but they helped the adults get ready for the Tigers! On Sunday night, we drove over to Hot Springs for some great German food at the Brau Haus - they were short-handed and over-crowded but the food was perfect and the kids had a blast. There was even live music, so the kids got to dance and play during the meal :)

From Labor Day 09

From Labor Day 09

Last Days of Summer

From last days of summer fun '09

We were spoiled during late August with a number of days in the low 80's - unheard of for southern Arkansas! We took advantage with plenty of time outside. The twins particularly love chalk drawing on the front porch (and often on the house), which is a great place for me to sit and rest a spell while I "chaperone" our little artists. One afternoon, Carlisle discovered that if you mix chalk sticks with water it makes a great little paste. They had a blast showing off their "smurf hands" and chasing us around to paint us blue, too. It was one of those times I just had to breath, let go of my inner need to be a "Kate" and let my kids have fun and get messy! The same was true when Carlisle found a sheet of stickers - she covered herself with the sticker tatoos and was so very proud of herself.

At our first church supper of the new school year, our fantastic children's director planned a "Water Party" for the kids. Bubbles are always a hit and the kids had a blast. When we moved here nearly four years ago there were only two kids in the church - now we have nearly 10 attending regularly, which is a huge blessing.

Carli and Jackson also discovered they like to work out with their daddy. Kendal tried to take a few minutes to practice some yoga, but his little shadows wanted to pose, too. They stuck their "downward dog" pretty fast, though! Poor Jackson was exhausted by the end of the workout! The kids then enjoyed being bench-pressed for several sets! Another time I am glad I'm the one behind the camera!