Caponi Art Park near us had a Fall festival a few weeks ago. Very few people there, but we had a great time! Art projects, marshmallows, and a great leaf pile!

Happy Halloween

State Fair 2017

Forgot to press "Publish" on this post!

Yurt!

Rented a yurt at Afton State Park for the night. Fun, but it would take some practice to get the temperatures inside just right. Sometimes sweltering, sometimes chilly. And our food was stuck in a broken food storage locker in the morning, so we packed up early and went into town for breakfast.

Behind our site, there was a gorgeous dry stream bed that kept this kids busy for a long time. Logs to cross over, big huge rocks, tons of sticks to build a fort, and some abandoned eggs that they discovered were hardboiled :)

Yurt. (say it out loud, its a funny word)

They are stalking a doe and buck they saw run by

Inside fire and outside fire - fun! 

Big fan of chicken noodle soup while fall camping. And warm apple cider!

My camera was not cooperating, but I kind of love this picture anyway.

My double chin was not cooperating, but I kind of love this picture anyway.

Again, with the camera issues.

Love the ceiling in there. At bedtime, Laura turned on her star projector and it was magical.

The kids snuggled together, Adam reading out loud while Laura held the light.

A favorite moment of all time for me!

2017 Diamond Nationals

Her best year yet! 

This girl! She has worked so hard the last few months and it paid off. 1st place in both sparring and form at Diamond Nationals! She told me this was the best day she's ever had. 2 big trophies, 4th place for megateam form with a bunch of her friends, 2 trips to Dairy Queen, and the most exciting sparring match to watch at the finals that night (our pick won!). Happy happy girl about to burst with joy. And super proud parents!

Another cellist in the family

The beginning of school is always busy for everyone. For our family, its karate tournament prep time and helping to organize the school's 5K fundraiser. Both end at the same time this Saturday, with their respective bangs, at 9:00am. I have to be at the 5K, so the means I have to miss Laura's tournament. Not THAT big of a deal, but kind of a big deal for me. She has a super flashy bo form that she's really perfected. And she has been just incredible in sparring the last few weeks, legitimately beating some kids a foot taller and twice her weight. Jim promises to video them for me though. And I can probably make it to watch her Megateam performance. This year, it includes kids of various ages and belt levels and they are taught by a just-out-of-high-school teacher. They've worked super hard and have improved a ton. It will be fun to watch. And its a musical form to Malagueña, so that's fun!

Here's some pictures from my flagged file:

Laura had fun with my hair. I think I look like Dr. Seuss character

Lots of fire pit opportunities this fall!

Ava likes the fires too

We tried foot golf. Meh...

MOA

Silliness

This one worked super duper hard to earn enough money for his own drone. 

Laure and I had a great time at the high school play. These kids were amazing and hilarious!