Mitch's Major Award: Ott Elementary Kindergarten "Star Student" award. He was selected from all four Kindergarten classes and nominated by his teacher, Miss Lippe. He got a very nice award, and a t-shirt! Then Papa took us out to celebrate at Red Robin- (the REAL prize!)

Griff and Marin have been having a great time playing together in the afternoons- Her face just lights up when she sees the boys.

Here's Julie and the crew of kidders, meeting little baby Quincie.

There's Marin with the big cousins!

Lisa, Chris and Quincie! (Q)

Halloween Pumpkin Carving- Who cares what the outside looks like, when the inside can be a bear's cave of gunk!

Marin took on the Dinosaur.

Mitch's Chameleon suit in action on Halloween night.

"Want to know how I got these scars?"

(PBJ)

The Cousins on Halloween- right before loading up with the candy!

Mitch-Chameleon

Andie-Pig

Emmie-Snow White

Griff-Lightning McQueen

Marin-Hot Dog with Mustard

Sleepy Halloween Man!

We went to a great Wii-lection party at our friends, the Mills' house! Griff was rockin' out with a zebra guitar!

Matt & Marin at the party.

Did you say Barack Obama won? Check the Shirt! Oh ya Baby!

Matchers- Julie & Marin in our commemorative T-shirts!

Marin with her little friend Courtney Hicks- Marin was so excited, and grabbed and jumped up and down constantly- Courtney just stared at her wondering what was going on..

"Future President" Trey Ralston (2months)

Marin & Trey "Tall man"

The Three- Quite the kickin' election party- more of a baby watchin' party, but great fun nontheless!

Marin is getting really good at playing these days.. She loves to sit on the floor and play with everything she can get her hands on. She's not crawling yet, but really trying to figure out how everyone else moves so much quicker.
The boys are a HUGE help in handing her all the toys she throws or drops- and always snuggle her and make her do big belly laughs. I really can't imagine a better baby than she is so far. We love her bunches of course.
Marin's Chubby Cheek profile. Can't tell what she'll look like as a little ol' lady, can you?!

Still no teeth, but she keeps suckin' on that lip, trying to feel it out.

Mitchell thought he was pretty cool in the bath with a hat, beard, and a birthday suit. He's been doing just excellent in Kindergarten. He loves his teacher, and is going crazy with all his new knowledge of spelling and writing. He can't get enough in everyday. We're so proud of his great job at school. He even won an award as the star Kindergarten Student for their whole school (4 Kindergarten classes!). We're a bit proud!

My Greatest accomplishment- besides birthing the three... The Chameleon Costume.

Griffin has also been a blast lately! He is so fun to be with (except for the 20 min when he wakes up from a nap)- and keeps us going constantly. He is so sweet, helpful, and polite. He's enjoying preschool lots this year also and even stays for lunch one day/week. He's the best commentator and shopper we have in our family too. It's always so fun to hear his musings everyday.

We went to the zoo, and they wanted their pictures by all the fake animal paintings- and not any real animals. We obviously go to the zoo alot!

The boys lookin' at the River Otters!

Marin loving the zoo, in her skeleton suit, and hand-me-down monster hat.

Marin got to meet Aunt Barbie and Grandma Boo, who flew in from Phoenix to see all the kiddos- and to wish Grammy a Happy Birthday a bit early.

Marin has been busy trying out all sorts of delicious baby foods. Green beans, peas, broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, mashed potatoes, applesauce, bananas.. She's a very good eater!

Griff's first day of (2-day) Preschool!

HI Everybody! We've been busy playing and getting ready for some routine in our house!
Marin's trying to sit up by herself without tipping over onto her head, eating peas, green beans, and cereal, and giggling up a storm. SO FUN to have her around- and the boys are GREAT helpers in keeping her happy, held, and cuddled constantly!

Griffin's First day of Preschool (2-days/wk)

This year it was super-simple- last year was one day/week.. so all was great.

Mitch was so excited for Griffin to get to have 3 classes instead of just one.

Messing around at Grammy & Papa's before school- the highlight of the morning- the 30 minutes to play before Andie catches the bus, and I take Mitch to school.

My Little Political statement! The cutest Obama sign I've seen!

Barack, Paper, Scissors -and yes, Julie has one just like it.. just a bit larger.

My favorite part- her bootleg jeans- to show off her cutie curves.. she has to roll hers up too, just like mom.

1st Day of Kindergarten

No more lazy mornings...

Time for a healthy breakfast

with a special treat, "Sunny D"

with a whopping 5% juice.

Searching for nature treasures in the front yard.

Scooter riding while we hang out in the driveway for the bus.

The classic "backpack first-day" shot

Lined up with the kids and checking for his bus pass.

Big Mitchell getting on the bus-leaving home to change the world- and begin the education to be a zookeeper!

(Mom didn't cry until he stepped on, but mourned all day.)