Sunshine, family, and girlfriends!

What a FABULOUS weekend we had in Wenatchee.  With temperatures soaring into the 90's it's, hard to believe it's the end of September. 

Tess played in Grandma and grandpa's pool, we had a water balloon fight, went shopping, took the dog for a walk, painted chairs, colored on the sidewalk, had some great food, did some sunbathing, and enjoyed being with family.

Friday night was girls night out!  My sister and I spent the evening with two of our BEST childhood friends.  We had a blast and I can't wait to see them again!

Jeni (who came all the way from Georgia) and my sister Amy (right)

Jeni and me

The night wouldn't have been complete without dessert and wine

Marie (left) Amy, me, and Jeni.  Thank you ladies for a memorable night! 

Playdate at Paint Away

This morning Tess and I headed to The Redmond Town Center for our first official MOPS playdate.  We spent the morning playing at the Sensory Garden, and painting pottery.  The kids had a blast!  What a great idea for a playdate...thank you Sharon and Angela!

The pictures I promised

Tim and I all set to go hunting

We actually got more tomato's this year than I thought we would from our tomato plants...this isn't all of them.  

Picking blackberries

eating blackberries

Tessa and her cousins Jayden and Ashton hiking and picking blackberries

Tessa's favorite toy at the park...in case you couldn't guess....it's the swing

making blackberry cobbler....our favorite... served warm with vanilla ice cream

blueberry picking with Aunt Heather and baby Fi

Hunting, blackberry fun, and more...

This last week has been so fun.  Summer made it's appearance, all be it late, it still showed up.  Praise the Lord!  We were all in need of some warm sun!  We have been busy and loving every minute of it.  Last weekend I had the opportunity to go hunting with my hubby and one of his friends.  We had a blast!  I love the city, and I love to wear mascara and heals, but there is a part of me that will always be a country girl.  After all, I did do taxidermy.  We saw lots of game trails and sign, but no elk.  This girl was in need of getting out into the deep woods and getting a little dirty.  I can't wait to go again! 

Aside from hunting, this mama has been a busy baking lady.  This week alone, and might I say it's only Tuesday, I have made 4 pints of freezer jam, 4 loaves of zucchini bread, banana muffins, blackberry cobbler, and sandwich bread.  Something happens to me in the fall, and I turn into a baking freak. 

In between all of that we've squeezed in a few play dates.

Just when I think summer is going to slow down, we dive head first into fall.  Tess starts swim lessons, I start my new MOPS group, Tim and I start our new bible study, a great friend, from Georgia, is flying up, Tim and I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, and on top of all of that, we've decided were are going to have another baby.  Good times!!

Pics of hunting, blackberry picking, and play dates to follow.  I forgot to re-charge my camera battery...oops.

Our little ham...

Monday morning, while Tim was hunting, Tess and I had a little fun making funny faces at each other.  She is such a little ham.  I can't get enough of her giggles and goofy faces.

We also enjoyed a little tea with our guest Elmo

Soaking up every warm ounce of sun!

Natural born cowgirl

Every September, we look forward to visiting the Evergreen State Fair.  It is by far our favorite of all fairs. 

This one is for you babe

While Tess is very much a girly girl, she's not afraid to get a little dirty riding tractors

How utterly embarrassing...  I'm sure glad I wasn't put on display pumping!

This little calf was just two weeks old

Tess and I had the privilege...if you want to call it that... of petting a pregnant pigs belly.  It was pretty amazing seeing her stomach move with all of those babies inside.  

You can't go to the fair without eating all that greasy fair food

What did I tell you...this girl is a natural.  She didn't want any help from mom or dad.  She was so sad to have to get off of quote, "me pony."  I think horse riding lessons maybe just around the corner.