The Van Becks: Trying to fit it all in

September is here and that means school is just around the corner. As much as I am sad that the kids are getting older and off to another year of school, I think I am ready this year. Maybe it is because I spent the whole summer with them doing a lot of fun things? Or maybe it is because they are bored with me? Either way, they are ready and I am ready too. A few days this summer the older two have been on playdates and I have just had the 2 little girls and it was so much fun. It is nice to just sit with them and play, read books, etc. They are really starting to play with each other too, which can get interesting at times.

The summer is almost over, so we spent most of August trying to fit in all the fun things we wanted to do this summer.

Since my last post here are some of the things that we have been up to:

I played in a volleyball tournament

Mike went to the PGA Championship

We surprised my sister Deanna with a 40th Birthday party

We had the annual dentist appts for the older kids (cavity free - YAY!)

We had our last night of the summer gymnastics session

Ethan turned 8 and got to go on a date with just Mom (out to eat and X Games Movie) and a date with just Dad (out to eat and golfing). It was SO nice to spend time with him one on one. We will make that a birthday tradition for all of our kids.

LOTS of canning with Grandma Sally (carrots, beans, potatoes, applesauce, etc.)

We celebrated Grandma Joni's 65th Birthday

Fish Fry at the Geislingers on Ethan's actual birthday

Playdates with the Rausch's while my friend and I took turns watching each others' kids so that we could each have a day to ourselves before school starts - so so nice!!

Izzie got 6 teeth and decided to all out walk in one week. The teeth are finally all in and now she almost runs!

We had friends and family over to go to Johnny Holmes who was having an outdoor concert practically in our backyard

We celebrated Ethan's 8th birthday with friends and family this past weekend

Celebrated my best friends' daughter's 1st birthday party at their house

Completed my fantasy football draft

We spent a day at the State Fair as a family (and Paige too)

We had a busy month but it was filled with great times with friends and family and that is priceless!

Ethan and Avery have their open house for school this week and they are all set to go. Ethan will be in 2nd grade and Avery will be in Kindergarten. They are excited to see all their friends again and start a new year. I am excited for all of us to get on a schedule again, even though that means homework and early mornings.

Olivia and Izzie have been doing great. Izzie is saying quite a few words (i.e. papa, debba, bob, please, cheese, kitty, no no, buh bye, nigh night, etc.) and really tries to repeat a lot of what we say. She is walking very well and almost runs to try and keep up with Olivia. She loves to dance, pretend to talk on the phone, climb on the steps and look at books. Olivia is still into asking a lot of questions and playing a lot of pretend play. They both still love to play kitchen and with their babies.

Not much else is knew here. We are looking forward to the nice fall weather and more down time at home. Mike is of course looking forward to the fall/winter hunting season! He has his first trip planned for this weekend already.

Here are some recent pictures of our activities:

Izzie walking and so happy!