We enjoyed Labor Day weekend with the family (minus the Millers, boo!) in Albany, and I didn't take nearly enough pictures. We had a really nice time visiting with everybody, and Mimi and Poppy even came over with Uncle D.Joe on Monday. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of them! I also can't believe that the only picture of Uncle Will in this album is one with a bag on his head! Sorry Will. I promise to do better next time! We are so proud of Mom and Dad and all they're doing in their new church, but we certainly are struggling with adjusting to having them live farther away from us. We miss seeing them more often, so we were very grateful for this time together.

So I expected to be fairly emotional when I dropped Benjamin off for his first day of preschool, but he helped me out by throwing a royal tantrum right before we were trying to get out the door, so I wasn't exactly feeling sad when I left him. :) It is hard to believe that he's big enough to be going to preschool! He has enjoyed it very much so far. This past week he wasn't able to go either day, because he's had strep throat, so he's very eager to go back this coming week. We just love Noah's Ark and all of the loving teachers who work there. They're like a family to us, and it is so comforting to walk him into Miss Karen's room (who Olivia had when she was 2) and know he'll be safe and happy. Yeah for preschool. On Tuesdays when he goes to Noah's Ark, I am facilitating a Beth Moore study on Esther at our church, so that's been fun, and on Thursdays when he goes, I just hardly know what to do with myself for those three hours! :)

These are my two rascals on a recent Sunday morning. Olivia recently found this lovely parasol with a black Barbie on it at a yard sale, and she felt it should accompany her to church. Benjamin's choice of items to take to church? John Deere pamphlets he picked up at Lowes.

We were so excited to be able to attend the Chief's pinning ceremony for our brother-in-law, Jason Destrada, recently. It was a neat experience to see someone pinned, and we were very proud of Jason and Theresa, both! It's been quite a journey to this place of accomplishment, and we were thrilled to celebrate it with them. Congrats to you both! Blessings on you!

Today was a typical Saturday--early morning long run for Momma, leisurely breakfast, and build-it workshop at Lowe's! We love those workshops. Today was a little harder to enjoy, because they held it outside, and it happened to be a sweltering Saturday here at the end of September. We toughed it out, though, and Olivia and Daddy, as usual, created a great project. Benjamin was very interested in the firetrucks and of course the lawn tractors!

We enjoyed a quick trip to the beach for dinner and fun while we watched the sun set last night. It was glorious! I love being so close to the ocean. It is always so therapeutic to sit on the beach for a while and take in the Lord's awesome creation. And come on, who doesn't love a little sand in their pants every now and then? :)

This past week was "Spirit Week" at Olivia's elementary school. They let the kids wear funny, different things each day of the week, and Olivia enjoyed each day. I was proud of her for wanting to participate.