September iPhone Pictures

I'm finding myself taking more and more pictures with my phone on a daily basis than with my real camera. Here are some of our daily highlights from September. They capture sweet moments of our family and our life. I'm thankful for the portability of my phone because it makes remembering these moments so easy. 

Tinsley and Eli checking on Caleb's lizard thingys. 

Eli was chosen as the Super Student the first week in September. 

He loved being the line leader every day for his class. 

This was the poster we decorated to go in the hall. 

Seeing the dentist for his six-month check-up. He LOVES our dentist!

Eli wrote me a note for my lunchbox.

It made my heart so happy :)

Picture of the bridges on one of my early morning long runs. 

The last harvest of the bell peppers. We had them coming out of our ears!

"Shaving" like Daddy in the bathtub one night. 

Eli and I went by the co-op one morning for gardening supplies.

We were in the right place at the right time and got to see a HUGE alligator that had just been caught.

It was HUGE!

Eli loved getting to see an alligator up close!

Bike ride down to the river later on that evening with Daddy. 

We celebrated Mom's 54th birthday.

Dinner at Zue-Zue's house

My sweet boy and me after school one day. 

The fall burlap banner I made for our house with the velvet pumpkins 

I picked up at Hobby Lobby last year for 75% off. Score!

When we were visiting my Mom and Dad Josh called to let me know late one night that he was in the ER because he sliced his finger to the bone trying to take down a pop-up tent at a festival in town. Thankfully, Reve, his secretary and our soon-to-be cousin, was able to take him to the ER. 

I hated not being there to take care of him! Multiple stitches later he was better.

Eli's journal from school the Monday after Josh hurt his finger. 

It made me smile and it was definitely a keeper!

Balloon Festival with Grammy and Pop

Our town always has the Balloon Festival in October that we loved attending, but this year we also were able to go to the Balloon Festival in Grammy and Pop's hometown. I have to say their festival was a lot different than the one we have back home, but Eli and I had such a great time! I loved that the balloons were in a huge field so we were able to walk up and see each and every balloon. At our festival you can't really do that because we don't have as much space. The admission at the one where Grammy and Pop live was only $5, too! I was so shocked at that, but I guess when you have such a large number of people who attend you can go down a little on the price of admission. There were a lot of activities for the little kids (face painting, petting zoo, magic show, tethered balloon rides), lots of carnival food vendors, a great band, and even a fireworks show. We had a wonderful time enjoying it all! 

Sweet cousins

Eli and Tinsley were excited about their mini hot air balloons Pop bought for them. 

This kid is so much fun! 

I loved seeing all these balloons! 

I hated that I didn't have my "real" camera and had to use my phone. 

Eli went around to all the different balloon pilots to collect their trading card (a little card telling about the name behind the balloon, where they're from, and who the pilot is)

The balloon glow was one of my favorite parts.

I can't wait to attend their festival again next year. We had such a great time! 

Josh and Beaux's Annual Camping Trip

Over Labor Day weekend, Josh and his friend Beaux went on a camping trip to Arkansas. Josh loves camping and so does Beaux. They both have very busy and demanding jobs so taking these outings gives them a chance to unwind and relax. Of course, kayaking over 50 miles in frigid water doesn't exactly sound that relaxing to me, but it is to them.  To each his own :) Josh and Beaux have been on two camping/hiking trips before (Appalachian Mountains and the Grand Canyon), but this is the first one where they've gotten to kayak. The plan was to kayak down the Buffalo River and camp along the bank each night. They both came back rested and relaxed and said they had a great trip. Here are some pictures from their trip, courtesy of Beaux's phone :) The river and the scenery were beautiful!

Beaux relaxing after a long day of kayaking. 

My honey enjoying his kayaking adventure. 

I hope that our family can go on a hiking or camping trip somewhere together soon. Eli and I both really want to go to the Grand Canyon so maybe one day soon that will be a possibility!