My brothers Tito...

I'm not sure if there is much introduction needed for these videos...

Spiders and Spiderman

Josie has been studying spiders at school. We also took a spider class at the zoo. I think all this talk about spiders might have sparked her idea to be Spiderman for Halloween.

I knew she had learned a lot from the spider facts she would share with me. But listening to her tell my mom on the phone about the black widow and tarantula spiders I couldn't help but smirk.

"The Black window (yes she says window instead of widow) is a girl and she kills the boys. The tarantula has spikey hair that it sheds when it gets scared. The hair makes the insects and people itch so they leave it alone. Don't worry Grandshe, they don't live in Des Moines. I don't think they live in Omaha either. So you should be safe."

Good to know Jos. Good to know.

Soccer Super Star!

Josie is in her third week of soccer. She is having a blast. She loves talking to her coaches more than anything. Tonight she realized her pants had super cool pockets and wanted each of the coaches to see her pockets too!

When she pays attention she does pretty well. But sometimes it's more fun to just watch :)

So how do I know Josie is a soccer super star?! Well when they were doing warm up laps tonight a boy tripped and fell. Each kid ran pass him, but one. Josie stopped and asked him if he was O.K. Needless to say Billy and I were impressed. When we talked about it later she said it's what Lightning McQueen would do.

SP-IR-IT!

We got spirit these days, thanks to Josie's BFF Jessica.

Last week Josie got to go to cheer camp. She had a blast. She loved watching the big kids do stunts so much that she insisted Dad start rehearsing with her as soon as she got home. She sang the cheers all week, but couldn't remember all the actions. I haven't cheered since the Reagan administration (literally). So it's a good thing Josie's BFF was one of the cheerleaders. Jessica came over this week for a little one on one rehearsal.

The big football game was Friday. I dropped Josie off for group rehearsal at 5pm. She looked so tiny walking down the big gym steps by herself. I was totally willing to walk her down, but without hesitation she headed towards the group. I love Josie's self confidence at such a young age. She continues to make me such a proud mama.

After Josie's big performance we stayed to watch the game. All the kids had a ball and yelled "Go Bulldogs!" till their voices were horse.

September Happenings

First day of soccer practice.
Princess Marlee and Prince Josie
Wagon ride with Miss Quinn, brothers, and Josie.
Picking apples from the tree!
Corn pool at Apple Orchard
Large slide at Apple Orchard
First day of Pre-k and two year preschool for boys.
Pre-K orientation, testing out the bug goggles.
First day of Pre-K orientation!

We are having a fun filled month. For starters Josie started Pre-K at Seeds of Faith. She jumped right into the routine with both feet. Josie was ready for school to start.

We also kicked off the new year of music class. This year Josie is one of the bigger kids in her class. She has taken on the role of Ms. Deb's helper. She feels so special as her sidekick. There are people that you know will help shape your kids into the person they will become later in life. Ms. Deb plays that important role in Josie's life. Josie is often in awe when Ms. Deb is around her. I just love to watch her face when she takes it all in.

We had our first visit to the apple orchard. We bought a season pass so we plan to be there a few more times this fall. It's a really cool place. Beyond apples there are animals, tractor races, hayrack rides, jumbo slides, and so much more.

We've been lucky to have some play time with our friends. Miss Quinn hung out with us a few times this week. We also got to have a special 24 hour visit from Josie's best friend Marlee! Josie and Marlee are so funny together. Marlee wants to be a princess and Josie wants to be her prince. How lucky are they to have each other?! About as lucky as I am to have Riann as my friend... (note we don't play princess and prince, anymore).

Josie had her first soccer practice yesterday. She loved it so much she can't wait for next week to get here! She had fun dribbling the ball, warming up, and just running around with all the kids. The coaches are 3 young high school boys...which also made Josie's day.

Drum Roll please...

The moment you all have been waiting for... Josie quotes from our trip to North Carolina!

• "Dad, can you order me a beer please. If you order me a beer I'll finish all my dinner" - first night in Wilmington at South Beach restaurant.
• "Mom, I really like North Carolina! I don't even miss Roger anymore." - Roger is our large stuffed monkey that Josie pretends is her 3rd brother.
• "Dad, you never get to the push the buttons. Today you get to push all the buttons." - She proceeded to scold her brothers if they dared to push the elevator buttons.
• "I want to marry Lane. I think he'll be a good husband. We'll have babies before our wedding." - Billy shakes his head yes on the first sentence, yes to the second sentence, and a big NO shake on the final sentence.
• "Dad are you working for us?" - I told her Dad goes to work so we can do fun things. But it sort of came out like we are Billy's boss. Either way, Billy agreed.
• "When I'm 16 will my hat still fit?!"
• "That dog needs to wear a short sleeve shirt!" - referring to Wiese's dog James who was harry and hot on our hike.

Josie holding baby Addie!

Wiese and Josie...besties.
Horse drawn carriage was one of the kid's favorite part of our time in Wilmington.

Josie got to ride upfront with the conductor, she was pumped!

Wilmington Beach family fun!

This was in the mall in Greensboro...good thing our malls don't have a carousel. I'd spent a fortune each trip I am sure!

Omaha Baby!

We spent 5 great days in Omaha. I'm pretty sure our time spent with family and friends is on the top of Josie's summer fun list. She had such an amazing time, she's already asking when we get to go back!

We are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Brody and Josie put-puting.

Josie and Blake making funny faces at the zoo. Josie loved spending time with "Blaker".

Coulter...aka Josie's crush. Coulter is a trooper for putting up with 3 kids wanting to wrestle him!

Jumping in the pool with Dad and Uncle Jay! Josie swam (with a life jacket) all the way from one end of the pool to the other. Over and over and over.

Wearing Aunt Danielle's googles...hey good looking!