Alayna Turns 3 & We Are Moving!!!

So many changes taking place in our home right now. First of all, we have prayerfully decided that on Saturday, October 3rd, we will be moving to Erie, PA. Our plan is to move in with my dad, and Dave will work carpentry with my dad and brother until we can get settled. As you know, this has been a difficult summer for me emotionally, and being near family will be very healing for all of us.

In the middle of packing & moving Alayna had her third birthday, yesterday (Monday). We celebrated on Sunday with Dave's family, at Dave's Grandma's home. All three of our kids spent Saturday night with Dave's mom and Grandma, and Dave & I drove up Sunday afternoon to have dinner with everyone, and enjoy the day together.

Here's some pics from our day...thanks again to Dave's Grandma for the delicious dinner, and for making Alayna's birthday cake!

Blowing out the candles.






Dave & I bought her a Baby Alive doll. Julie has one, and they both love it. Twenty Dollars for a doll that pees...I will never understand this. :)




Playing with her new Kazoo, going down the slide...that's the life!


The girl cousins! Lily (Nathan & Kristy's daughter), Julie & Alayna.


Five of the nine Miles Grandkids...Dave & Nathan were hidden behind the stump holding up the boys.




Happy Birthday my sweet girl! We love you so much!

Impromptu Photo-Shoot

This afternoon the kids and I were outside playing and I decided to do a little photo session with them. I haven't really taken many pictures of the three of them together...too hard to get them all to cooperate, I suppose. I edited the pictures using the free Google program, Picasa. It's basic, but perfect for an amateur like me. Anyway, this is the outcome, enjoy!





Joel's first birthday came & went, and I still haven't had his birthday pictures taken. It's so different with the third child, than the first. Sorry Joel! I'll probably just get this printed and frame it. Much easier than a trip to Sears. :)


This is the very first picture I took, and it's my favorite!


I put together this collage of all the fun shots I took of the kids on the big swing. I couldn't get them all to smile and look at me at the same time, but I thought these pics of them laughing were priceless!

This -n- That

School has oficially begun in our home. Things are going well, and Julie is already reading at a 10th grade level, not bad for 3 days of school, huh? Okay, she's not reading yet, but that's the main focus this year.

We enjoyed a nice labor day at home with friends of ours from PA. It was so good to visit with them, and have our kids playing together for the day.

Julie started swim lessons Tuesday night and really seemed to like it. She was the only one in her class at 5:45, so we're going to move her to the 4:45 class so she'll be learning with other kids her age.

I recently discovered that Joel loves Baby Einstein videos. Julie loved them, too, as a baby. I was relieved to figure out something that he'll sit still for, for more than 20 seconds. It's been a lifesaver in the morning when I'm getting ready, and again at dinner time when his favorite thing is to follow me around the kitchen crying, with his hands in the air to hold him. Here's a couple pictures of his new pasttime. I strap him into the bouncy seat, which then allows me to get a quick shower knowing that he isn't running free.





Last Wednesday a couple of my good friends came over with their kids for the afternoon. It was just warm enough that the kids could play in the pool...they didn't seem to mind that the pool was small, they had a blast.


A recipe to share with you!
Julie actually came across this recipe a year ago, while playing a Holly Hobby game online. We made them together, and I've been fixing them on ocassion ever since. They are easy, and yummy!
Yesterday Alayna & Julie helped me make a batch to go with our homemade mac-n-cheese supper.

Applesauce Muffins (recipe below)


2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 t. baking powder
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup unsweetened applesauce (I use whatever I have in the house)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease or line with paper liners a 12 cup muffin pan.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend. Add the egg, applesauce and melted butter. Stir until just blended. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake until puffed and toothpick inserted comes out clean; 18-20 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.

Let's See, What's New???

We are oficially starting school here on Tuesday. Julie enters first grade, and her first year of home-schooling. I mentioned a few posts ago that this is a decision we've made for this year, and we're giving it a try. I must say I'm very excited, and still can't believe I'm doing this. Julie is also excited, and when the box of curriculum arrived in the mail this week she was just as anxious as I was to see everything inside the box. This year's primary focus will be on her reading and writing skills, we'll also be working on math together. I chose a kindergarten math for her, since the book contained many things she never learned last year in Kindergarten, so I felt it was important to start there. If we move through the book quickly, then I'll order the 1st grade level right away. Julie will also be learning about Colonial America this year (U.S. History), and we'll be working our way through a book called "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" (Science), as well as some Geography, Health, etc. Julie's excited, I'm excited, we'll see how it goes. Julie also begins her first swim lesson Tuesday night. I signed her up at the YMCA for a class every Tuesday night, for eight weeks. Dave is also taking a weekly class for the Fire Department right now. Every Thursday for nine weeks he is taking a "scene support" class.

This past week we stayed busy with end-of-summer activities. The girls went in the pool on warmer days, played with friends, played outside after supper until it got dark, we had a picnic outside, ate popsicles, and all that fun stuff. I really don't mind summer, but I am a big fan of fall. The thought of cooler days, beautiful leaves, pumpkins and apple-picking make me happy. I won't wish the summer away, but the pull towards fall is exciting, too.

Dave is busy each evening working on the desk he is building me for our office. I can hardly wait until it's all finished, put together, and all my stuff is neatly organized in it. I appreciate all the hard work he is putting into this project. I look forward to sharing photos with you of the completed desk.

Enjoy the long weekend!