Routine

We are getting into a routine around here.  It's actually been nice and refreshing to have more of one.  Usually during Coleman's morning nap, I try and give some undivided attention to Callie.  We either read or I have her help me bake or cook.  If you can't decipher the brown stuff around her mouth, then I will tell you it's brownie batter.  She asked me about 20 times "when can I lick the spoon?"

 We made our first trip (since our return) to our library to check out some books.  Callie is really into Fancy Nancy now.  Coleman enjoyed the library as well, but for different reasons.
 
 We had our first cookout with students.  We were happy about the turnout.



 We've been spending time in the yard because the weather has been wonderful!

Latest family picture

This is our latest picture of our family of four!  And, I'm getting kinda sentimental because it's our last staff picture with Campus Outreach.  Can't believe we're starting our last year.

 One of the highlights of Callie's day was me (somehow!) managing to put her hair into teeny weeny braids!  Her friends Annie and Maddux frequently sport braided hair and Callie wanted to join in.  I mean considering what I was working with I thought they turned out ok.  Ha ha.  Don't worry, I added a close up shot of one of them, although I am sure no one is having a hard time actually seeing the braid!

 

Callie's First Soccer Practice

At a park near our house, they just put up a couple of little soccer goals. So we took an afternoon last week to let Callie kick her soccer ball into a real goal. She has gotten pretty good about kicking it in the yard or driveway or playroom (I've been teaching her how to kick with both her right and left foot), but she has never been able to play on a real field. She had a good time and got excited when she scored a goal. Coleman joined us and did a good job of cheering for his sister. In a few years, he will be able to play with us. Here is the video of her kicking the ball:

Reunited!

A few shots of Callie and Coleman reunited with their staff kid friends. This first one is just me and the Callie bug. We took it of ourselves the other day. Callie has been happy to be back in Minnesota. She told us on the ride home that she was glad to be with just our family again. She said "I had fun in Atlanta and South Carolina but it's good to be just our family and going back to Minnesota."
Callie and Annie

Coleman and Micah Wass (the closest little guy his age)

Callie and Maddux

All the staff kids from Austin Currie and younger. Hope you have a way to enlarge this picture because otherwise you won't be able to see anyone. I will try and name each kid. Here goes...left to right (Coleman, Evey, Callie holding Isaac Stromwall, Annie kinda holding Lucy, Austin holding Grayson Knight, Owen holding Micah, Josiah holding Jackson Knight, Maddux with Sophie in front of her.

Spartanburg

We are finally back in Minnesota. More to come on that later. We had a wonderful summer. Here are some pictures from our time in Spartanburg. We were really bad about taking pictures throughout the two and a half weeks we were there. So, we tried to make up for it our last two days, hence the reason the kids are in the same clothes for many of the pictures. We really enjoyed extended time with my family. Wish we had gotten pictures with everyone, but these will have to do.