I fell off the face of the earth

Ok, so yep I have been completely wrapped up in my life and have not blogged in forever, So here is a long update! Maybe now I can come back to earth-

McKEnna pretty much babysat all summer, mostly for me. But she enjoyed watching baby Dane the most! I was able to go to the Temple regularly and get lots of things done without my crazy Jack Jack. She is the best babysitter.

The kids had so much fun playing this summer, cousins, friends, neighbors. What a blast. We had the Cotton reunion minus Bob and Christi :( this summer.

However, Life has still been the same with regards to Jackson is INSANE!!

He LOVES the bathtub and learned very quickly how to turn it on himself. I found him on a daily basis doing this. At least this time he had his pants off.

Jaron got creative one day and decided this will help keep the bubbles out of his eyes. Hilarious! Jackson is so funny when we get out of the car and I open the door to get him out. He will squint his eyes and say "ooh ooh" covering them because the sun in his eyes. It's totally dramatic. So I have to give him my sunglasses.

One of the reasons for the falling off the earth is Aaron has been working extreme hours and that means I am limited on breaks- however it has been nice to visit him downtown and play around Louisville, soaking up all the free things there are to do.

We like to visit the science center, this is us out front.

The water front park is a blast- sits right on the Ohio River, huge park and water for them to play in. Louisville slugger has fun things to do for free in there. We like to watch Aaron hit in the cages. The kids crack up that daddy can hit. They think he is too old to play.

The Boys get their turn in the cages. I couldn't get Jack out of there- he is a baseball freak. This was a car show right out the doors of Aaron's office, every time the real car show is in town these hippies have their own car show- opposite obviously of the real one, hence the sign below stating-'Please touch the car' It's awesome. They play nutty music and well, the cars as you can see are too funny. I was cracking up.

this one is brass horns This one is covered in pennies Covered in teeth

So at the start of summer the kids had a popcorn jar that was filled up every time I caught them being good. And I promised a back to school ice cream party if they filled the jar. So we had a PARTY! BraeLynn is our cookie queen.

Connor and Jaron playing it cool. Jackson went right for the M&M's

And shoveled them in as fast as he could "Cheese!" My BraeLynn grew up a lot this summer. She turned 9 in July. She is awesome! We had a girls night while Emily was in town! And...... Jack Jack was still inane. Here is threw the bag of animal crackers all over the floor. He also decided that the crib was no match for him anymore, and NEVER stayed in. I frequently found him up on the top bunk asleep because he wont jump down (yet) so he will just fall asleep up there. Soooooooo, I had to cage him in. Horrible picture but you get the idea. Back to school 2009!

BraeLynn is in the 3rd grade. WOW

Jaron started Kindergarten- holy moly.

Braelynn was very excited to be able to protect her brother, and Jaron was very excited to let her! He LOVES BraeLynn and follows her around everywhere- whatever Brae likes, Jaron likes. They really have a bond. McKenna Benna Boo is in MIDDLE SCHOOL! I couldnt get a good picture of her because her she is actually saying "hurry MOM" as the bus is turning the corner nad heaven forbid she is seen taking a picture.

All the neighborhood kids lined up and waited for the bus- so cute.

We have a TON of neighborhood kids this year and they all meet out front to wait for the bus. This will be short lived as the winter months approach!

So, it's been a week since school has started, I only have one at home yet he is the one that keeps me runnin, so no peace and quiet yet!

Aaron and I have been married 13 years this month. (you might want to write that one down this time Aaron) Yep he forgot- but hey, I have many years for him to make that one up to me!

It really has been a crazy year, lots of learning and growing and well- that's painful sometimes :) But I LOVE my family, I LOVE my friends and have been very blessed to have so much support.

Now back to space for me. Until next time.........................

Yeah!!

Jaron had his last game tonight and was so excited to get his first trophy! He wanted to shower with it. 

I settled for letting him sleep with it. 

I just had to show this- jaron is collecting worms. He keeps them in a garbage can, with dirt, and it's gross. 

Time to lock the doors

I have never had to do this with a child thus far, however Jackson is, well, special. :) He likes to put on the other kids' shoes and head outside. Today we had this HUGE storm and I couldn't find Jackson-hmmmmmmmmm, he would dare be out there in the HEAVY DOWNPOUR- yep. Just pushing his bike along, soaking wet. So it's time to lock the outside door. That is until he figures that one out and I have to then LATCH IT!

Seriously, no returns on kids?

Just kidding, I'll keep him, but heaven help me this kid is INSANE.  I don't take HALF the pics of these kinds of messes due to the fact that steam is literally coming out of my ears at the time and it is NOT a joyful moment to reflect on. However. Tonight, being this is the third time he has done this- THIS WEEK- I thought I better capture it, then wig out. 

Powder milk- in every nook and cranny

and don't tell me not to cry over spilled milk, I cried. 

Bike wreck #1 and counting

Last night Jaron had his first real bike wreck. Miralyn's daughter just had her big bike wreck the night before and at the exact same time when Aaron came running in the house last night with jaron. He said," Amie don't panic and don't freak out." OK, so you come walking in and say that to me, I'm totally going to panic. I was thinking are you kidding me, we have to spend three hours at the ER tonight just like the Adams? Luckily he did not need stitches, but it was a long night :(

Jackson too has had some minor wipe out on his little bike. These boys are going to make my hair even thinner and greyer and I am going to be so happy if they make it to age 18 alive. 

Little of this, little of that..

My neighbors are from India and Saturday night had us and the Adams over for authentic Indian food. She is the sweetest lady and I have been able to have such great conversations with her. They allowed us to ask TONS of questions about their culture, which was so neat.

The food was AMAZING. I could eat like this every day for sure. I am hoping she will actually let me watch one time as she cooks so I can learn!

I know I'm weird but I had to take a picture of this scene because as I looked up from doing the dishes and saw my little pots in the window seal, I just had joy looking at how much my herbs have grown (I just planted the middle one a week ago, still itty bitty) I love nature things :) Speaking of nature things, this storm was rolling in and I just get mesmerize at how amazing the sky is. One side of the sky bright and sunny, then this patch with the clouds just rolling and lightening striking through them- its breathtaking. My dear friend Kate had her baby, finally! I got to hold her for a long time and this is a pic of her and her big sister Alexi. Check out her video- so sweet.

ChaChaChaChanges

Kids are finally out of school. But this is a big summer full of changes. I love change, but this kind is a little more emotional!

McKenna is officially out of elementary school. I have a middle school child.WOW.

She had her graduation Thursday and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of her. She has made leaps and bounds not only with her school work but in becoming a light to those around her. She leads and does not follow, she speaks up and does not shy away from truth, she reaches out to the needy and does not turn them away, she loves those she is with and does not judge. 

I have learned and continue to learn so much from this angel. 

Congratulations McKenna benna boo- you ROCK!!

BrAElyNN- comes home from the last day of school, rips her shoes off and shows me this:

her excuse? "I didn't have a yearbook so, I just had everyone sign my socks!"

I have to say, I was impressed with her once again creativity and make lemons out of lemonade attitude!

She will be the top dog in Elementary school now and is excited for Jaron to join her. 

Jaron will be going to Kindergarten, I have seen so much growth in him, he is soooo ready! I think I will have to bring a box of Kleenex with me to this one- he has been my  little protector and I will really miss him during the day. But I will be entertained by the crazy jack jack. 

Time for Freezer Jam!

I love making freezer jams! A couple years ago, Mira showed me just how easy it really is and I am hooked!

We made our first batch of strawberry freezer jam this year. McKenna helped with the smashing part!