nobody expects a graceful first slide, kale. it's cool.

snack attack on the playground.

yeah, you better run away, mr. chalks on the floor.

dori’s visit coincided with a spell of unseasonably warm weather. thanks, love.

kale can finaly make the riding toys go forward (as opposed to backwards) which i think must be some sort of important milestone.

just kicking back enjoying our newly painted porch.

now that the fall is upon us, it's totally time for sneakers.

nothing has ever been more fun than julien's trampoline.

having second thoughts about going down the slide.

apples. get your fresh picked apples.

lately, it's tea party city at our house.

"i am taking pictures of you for my blog. later i'm going to upload them."

these days kale is really into babies. hugging babies, squeezing babies, poking babies in the eye.

a handwash and they're ready for class. (kale was pretty bummed that he didn't get to stay at preschool. soon enough, kale. soon enough.)

riley and jack 'punch in'.

gathered around the green door on the first day back at preschool.

these kids are extreme(ly concerned about safety).

if you're happy and you know it stomp your feet.

farmer kale is quite a help in the garden.

sometimes i just want to squeeze him even though he is a very big kid now and does not brook squeezings of any sort.

first trim with the buzzers for baby (though not really so much anymore) kale.

that mommy. she does an awful lot of standing around while the kids do all the heavy digging.

go ahead, play with your food.

kale and co soap up all the parents' center toys before monday's grand re-opening.

during his classroom visit riley announced that the 'big kid room is awesome', which bodes well for the coming school year.

in the attic there's enough space for everyone (even new friend chayla) to do their own thing.

happy birthday, mommy!

we do indeed heart you, lady.

it takes two to make a thing (in this case a water fountain) go right.

gram's haircut is a real family affair.

labor day weekend and we had the whole beach to ourselves. looks like a giant sandplane is just the ticket.

coffee cake for breakfast? must be vacation.

blurry, blurry, blurry and not so blurry.

baby tickles.

so i'm done posting photos of julie and oren's wedding but megan took some amazing photos (with and without our children in them) and she made a beautiful website. so if you want to see more go here http://web.me.com/megantompkins/Julie_Wedding/Welcome_Page.html

ride 'em cowpoke. yeehaw.

gin a body meet a body comin' through the corn.

gram is still tops when it comes to reading a story.

our fleet footed four year old.

cousin robbie is serious about sharing.

happy wedding aunt hoolie.

the band was a little loud for our sensitive kiddo.

wedding photo mayhem.

riley spent most of the wedding watching videos in the kids' lounge but he put on his speedy feet when he heard there was a magician at the reception.

what's cuter than a baby in a bowtie?

uncle jp and kale get everything spic and span before the guests arrive.

a pre-wedding dance floor makes an excellent racetrack for rye and cousins.

friday night was the pre-party at the stephenson's - and since you know i don't post pics without the kids, see if you can use your where's waldo skills to find them.

we arrived for julie and oren's wedding weekend on thursday evening right after the work was done and just in time for the pizza. sweet.