A Bit More of August

August has been so fun- and gone by so quickly! I absolutely love that we have so many pictures- it helps me remember all the small and sweet moments!!!

Every morning when Jared leaves for school, Tori and Garrett run out to wave goodbye. I'm so glad Jared captured this- it's such a fun tradition!!!

It was such a lovely day, but Tori was cold- so of course she had to get all bundled up!

This girl is just so beautiful- inside and out! I love when we get to do fancy hair and dresses for church!!!

Another cold morning! I so love, well, really all of it- the hat, the scarf (the one she tie dyed at our garden), the gloves, and the boots, with pj's of course!!!

This is our neighbors' cat Forrest- Tori and Garrett are big fans!

Yep, this is what we have to do when Garrett needs a new diaper- he wants to see them all before he picks one! Although, now that we are potty training, these will be gone very soon!!!

Tori had her very first birthday party where we dropped her off and then picked her up later. She had a grand time and is getting way too grown up!

One day Tori came down the stairs and asked, "do I look like a dudette?" Why yes of course you do!!! I absolutely adore this picture!!!

Tori's 5th birthday outfit came a bit late, but she has made up for lost time by wearing it as much as possible- so cute!!! (Thank you Grandma Allen)

Love these two crazies!!!

They do this often!!!

We love it when Daddy is home!

Tori throws a mean tea party!

These two often join Jared and me at Cub/EYO Scouts- they love it! This evening, they took just a short break!

My heart gets so happy when I see Tori and Garrett reading books to each other!

This has been the month of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenges! Jared and I both did one, along with many of our friends and family. Not only has it raised many funds and a lot of awareness, but it has also provided these two with tons of entertainment! We've watched many challenges over and over again!!!

Yeah for Jared's first day of school- second year of his PhD, here we come!!!

I'm not exactly sure how Tori got this comb stuck so well in her hair- but it took some doing to get it out!

So, when we really started Garrett's potty training, we made him a chart where he can put stickers every time he has a success! Tori soon realized that Garrett was getting some pretty fun stickers and asked if she could have a chart as well. Sure, why not! So now both of these kiddos show Daddy all their potty stickers when he gets home- I love it!!!

August has been so fun and really busy- so many wonderful memories! And now on to September!

August Gardening

Oh my goodness, we've done so many fun things at our garden this month!

Our first week we got to harvest tons of indigo plants.

Then we stripped off all the leaves, put them in a blender, added water, and made our own dye.

Then the kids each got to make a tie dye bandanna with our dye- super cool! And we all went home with blue hands!!!

Our second week, we dissected flowers so we could learn about all of the parts.

Tori and Garrett loved using the magnifying glasses!!!

On our third week we got to make art using flowers!

Tori loved picking out her flowers! We made bookmarks and pictures to frame- so fun!

Today we learned more about composting- especially what we can put in a compost bin.

Then we got to explore some soil to see what bugs we could find!

To finish off, we got to help out with the compost bins in the hoop house!

These two did a great job with the sifting!

Our garden program has just been amazing! I love that Tori and Garrett love being at our garden and that we are all learning so much!!!

Cascade Park- Another Favorite

We had another play date this morning at Cascade Park- another favorite for us! Tori did a great job climbing across these!

Garrett explored everything!

Tori loves swinging...

...and climbing on this spider web!

Such a little monkey!

And this guy was doing things he's never even tried before!!!

Such a fun swing!

We have thoroughly enjoyed trying out so many new parks in Bloomington! We've got to get in many more visits before it gets cold!

Potty Training Time

Garrett has been asking to go potty for some time now. But I clearly remember the joy (read that very sarcastically) of potty training Tori, so I have been doing my best to distract him. A few weeks ago, I finally relented and he sat right up there and went potty. We've been taking it nice and slow, only putting him on the potty when he has asked. But today, Garrett got a very special package in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Allen! 

Hurrah- big boy undies!

Which found a very immediate use!

Garrett went potty right away...

...and got his first Grandma prize!!!

Bring it on- we are really potty training now!!!

We Love Karst Park

This morning we joined some friends at Karst Park- one of our favorites! At one point I looked over to see all the kids with sticks in hand hitting a tree.

Needless to say, I was a bit curious and went over to investigate.

As it turned out, they were playing a game Tori invented called, "die bugs!" Yep, they would say, "die bugs" and proceed to hit all the bugs they could see on the tree with their sticks. Such a nice game our little lady came up with!

Love this one!

This boy loves sticks!

Hurrah for a fun morning at the park!!!

Tori's 5th Birthday!!!

Today our Tori turned 5 years old! Where on earth has the time gone? We started off her birthday celebrations yesterday by taking her roller skating for the first time! She was a little hesitant at first and felt much more comfortable practicing on the carpet!

Garrett held on to Daddy at all times!

Tori and Charlie skating and chatting away!!!

We all made it around the real floor twice! It took us forever, but was lots of fun! It was a great new experience for both kids!

This morning Tori had a very special breakfast of French toast- yummy!

We took a picture after church- love this face!!!

After dinner Tori finally got to open some presents! Uncle Jer, Aunt Kim, and London sent the perfect gift- a butterfly house!

What could it be?! Grandma and Grandpa Allen always send super fun gifts!

Oooh a wand!

Tori makes a very cute Ariel!!!

She wasted no time putting her Doc McStuffins tools to use- we all got a check up tonight!!!

And here's her princess dress cake!

Making a wish!

And now blow those candles out!

Happy birthday Tori-Bear!!! We love all of your many sides- you are sweet, sassy, smart, funny, and tenderhearted (just to name a few!)!! You are such a joy to have in our family- we can't imagine life without you! Love you so very much!!!
And a huge thanks to all those that called, sent gifts, and made today special for Tori- she had a wonderful day!!!