andrew

i don't want to forget this unique experience. i've been an andrew peterson fan since college, but my interest was recently re-sparked last december when jesse and i got to attend his Behold the Lamb of God christmas concert. what an awesome way to reflect on christmas! if you get a chance to listen to it- do it!

anyhow, i was anxiously awaiting his return to cincinnati this year for the same concert, when i noticed on his tour dates he was doing a concert for his new album in october IN CINCINNATI! (sensing my excitement?) after contacting the event location to find out when tickets go on sale, i come to find out IT'S FREE! can't get much better than that...oh wait...yes you can. throw in 2 of my best friends, a kid-free night, and you have almost-heaven-on-earth. definitely a night to remember. (including the unique location of the concert- a roomful of random couches and chairs, first-come seating, $1 popcorn and cokes- a very unique event).

a night away

jesse and i are blessed! we are blessed with great friends who babysit for our almost-monthly date nights. and there rare and wonderful occasions when the grandparents watch our kiddos so we can go away for a night (or 5).  and such was this past weekend, jesse's mom and dad made it possible for us to steal away to indianapolis for 24 hours. it was wonderful to be together, not have to worry about the kids, and to see new places. we took in some of the sights of the city, including the soldiers and sailors monument and the indianapolis zoo. lots of walking was involved!

summertime! - August edition

we had a very quick visit with my mom, as she came down to visit the creation museum with a group from their church in pittsburgh. it was a less-than-24-hour visit, but we'll take anything we can get!

we also enjoyed spending time with one of the families from the church, the sabellas. leah, who is now 16, was the flower girl in our wedding 9 and 1/2 years ago. she is still one of the sweetest, most beautiful girls i know!

 august means tomato season....which translates to salsa season at my house!

jacob created an outdoor band. do i see a real drum set in his future? do we dare?

we enjoyed celebrating the birthday of jacob's buddy, isabel. we spent a saturday at winton woods park out on the pontoon boat, at the splash park, playing on the many playgrounds, and a tractor ride! happy 5th birthday, isabel!

grandma turns 60 and we visit the 'burgh

we made a quick weekend trip to pittsburgh at the end of august to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday.

the moment of the birthday surprise:

party time:

we had a good time hanging out with family- the kids loved aunt brianne and uncle kevin's pool, and we were happy to get to meet jackson's newest cousin, josie.

and thankfully, we got some time in with our pié family too!

jacob starts kindergarten

it's hard to believe.
i don't like saying "time flies" because i think i use it too much. but sometimes there are just no other words.
i can't believe that my little baby big boy is old enough for kindergarten. he was rearin' and ready to start school. i thought i was ready for it too- until the 2 or 3 days before he started. it all became real to me, and my mind couldn't stop with all the "what-ifs" of sending him off to school.

but thankfully he loves it. and there have only been a few small issues that were quickly resolved.

his favorite things about school are riding the bus and playing on the playground. go figure. the first day of school he got off the bus and told us that he was able to tell his bus driver where to go. :) (this kid is better with streets and directions than i ever was at his age).
his 2 good friends at school are Cole and Maddie. i've loved watching him be brave and outgoing.

kate has also adjusted well to being the "only child" at home. thankfully the tears we got from her on the first day were not a foreshadow of what was to come. she keeps busy being a good little helper. she helps me babysit, grocery shop, and do some baking. we've also been working on preschool material, but haven't been more serious than just 1 or 2 days a week. she will still have 2 more years before it's her turn for kindergarten- i think that is going to take forever for that day to come.

summertime! - July edition

yet another busy summer month. this one started out with a bang, as we celebrated the 30th birthday of my amazing friend, candace. it was a privilege and pleasure to be able to help her husband plan her 30th birthday bash. she chose to celebrate with a big gathering of friends and family at their home- complete with an ultimate ice cream sundae bar and a bounce castle in the backyard. it was a fun evening with friends!

mid-July i was blessed to be able to take a trip to california with my partner-in-crime, katie. through the generosity of others, with a few great deals, and because of one loving husband who stayed home with the kids, i journeyed to the west coast for the first time in my life. it was a memorable experience! what took me there was a women's conference in which one of my friends from college was to be a speaker.  i was encouraged to worship Christ in everyday life, and received some valuable parenting tips as i seek to shepherd the hearts of my kiddos. i spent some quality time with my college friend bekah, and spent a day doing touristy things with katie. i am very thankful for this opportunity i had!! (and i can't believe i was able to sum it up in a few sentences, but here are some pictures to fill in some gaps)

in july we did lots of things to stay cool, like going to the splash park

and hanging out in the air conditioning, just being cool :)