Firsts

Today was the first day of school and of course I took the mandatory 'first day of school' pictures. I can not really remember why- but we have always done these pictures on our front step- so that is what we did today.

Drew, ready to start his first day of middle school~



Tyler is starting senior year and Jake is starting freshman year~



The 'high-schooler's' leaving for school~



And I am happy to report that it seems like the first day went great for all 3 boys.

This evening we went to Tyler's varsity soccer game- the second game of the season. They won- and Tyler scored! His first goal of the season. I forgot my camera tonight so I had to take this picture with a cell phone-- (Tyler is in a red jersey on the far side of the field.)

Labor Day

We had a great Labor Day weekend.

We went to the State Fair. We went to my parents for an end of the summer BBQ. We got some yard work done. Jake went to a friend's cabin. Tyler went to Wisconsin with some friends for a UW-Madison football game. Drew had some baseball. We had some bonfires. And we relaxed.

It has been a great weekend- but now that this weekend is coming to a close- it means that our summer is also coming to a close. School starts tomorrow.

Tonight at dinner we were discussing what our favorite part of summer was. It was fun to listen to all of our different answers. Tyler said the UW-Madison football game he was just at was his favorite thing he did this summer. It was no surprise that golfing was Jake's favorite part of summer. Drew said that starting summer break was his favorite part. Pete said that the cabin and getting some projects done in the yard was his favorite part of summer. And my answer was frequenting the Farmer's Market, going to the State Fair, and finishing my front yard project!!!

This discussion was a great way to sum up our summer.

We had a great summer and I think we are ready for the school year to begin and for everything that comes with the beautiful fall season.

front yard

I am finally finished!!! We have been working on our front yard project since the middle of July and I am so happy with how it turned out! This is how it looked before we started~



We began by ripping all but one of the bushes out.



We then moved all the rock. Washed all the rock. Laid new landscape fabric. Put all the rock back. Bought a few new plants. Went to a landscaping company and picked out a big rock, a bunch of smaller edging rocks, and a few stepping stones.



We laid some mulch down where I will plant some flowers next spring.







Drew tested out the 'thinking rock'. =0)



We added some Adirondack chairs. (Next week I am going to paint these chairs a deep burgandy color to match our front door. I will post some pictures after I get them painted.)



And finally we enjoyed all our work.









This project was a lot of work- but it was so rewarding to see all the pieces come together and it turned out just like I envisioned it! That is always good!

I am happy!

a camp out

We really have been enjoying these last few days of summer. The last 3 nights we have had bonfires out in the back yard.



There is something so peaceful about sitting around a bonfire and spending some family time.

And then last night, Pete and Drew did a little camp out in the back yard. It was a chilly night but I think they both had a lot of fun!




(This picture didn't turn out too well- I took it in a pitch black tent- but I did manage to capture a smiling Drew =0)

the great minnesota get together

Today we headed to the State Fair for a day of fun celebrating the end of summer. The fair is always so much fun and something our family looks forward to each year and the weather was absolutely perfect which made our day even better!

This year it was just four of us as Tyler had other plans- but we did bring him home his favorite State Fair treat- 'Sweet Martha Cookies'.



We enjoyed food-



Lots and lots of our favorite State Fair food!



Fresh salt water taffy~



And all of our favorite: cheese curds~



We visited a lot of different booths and exhibits. We stopped at John Deere and had to get Drew's picture on a tractor. (This used to be his very favorite part of the fair when he was little.)



We stopped to see Raven- who is a dog in a local TV show 'Minnesota Bound'.



One of my favorite spots is the Horticulture Building. I love looking at all the plants, vegeatables and flowers.





We stopped at the MN Twins booth~







And played a ton of games at the Midway~







And went on some rides~







It was another fun year at the Fair!!!

a summer walk

Summer is winding down.



There has been a touch of fall in the air.





School starts next week.



So I know it is true that summer is almost over.



I am going to miss~ these lazy days of summer, having the boys around all the time, staying up late, sleeping in, quieter days on the calendar...



For next week we start another new season.



And I will be ready.


(I took these pictures on a walk this evening at a beautiful park not too far from my home.)

zucchini bars

I made these bars last week to use some of my many zucchini! This recipe is a family favorite that I have been making for years and originally comes from my mom who has been making these for as long as I can remember.

Zucchini Bars

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups zucchini, shredded
2 eggs
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup coconut

Grease 15x10 pan. Cream sugars, vanilla, and butter. Add eggs, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in
zucchini, walnuts and coconut. Spread in pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool and then frost.

Frosting:
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoons milk
3 Tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

I survived

Well...I survivied the garage sale of '09! =0) It was a lot of work to get everything ready, set up, and cleaned up--- but it always feels so good to go through everything and to pass on to others things we no longer need.

The whole family helped in one way or another with the garage sale. Jake helped carry boxes and boxes of stuff from downstairs out to the garage, Pete put out the signs, my mom helped both days of the sale,


Tyler 'helped' before his soccer practice =0) on the first morning of the sale~


And Drew was a ton of help- helping with absolutlely everything! He even set up a little stand to sell pop and water~


I think I will sleep good tonight!