Boo!

Here are our spooks this year. We went to a Halloween event at the zoo that had a DJ and dancing (among other things), which after about a half hour we had to pull her away. Can you blame her? Cinderella had to live it up at the ball!

Then, finally, it was time to Trick or Treat

San Diego

In September, Brian and I had the chance to get away for a SIX days without the kiddos. While we did miss them, it was a wonderful chance for some distraction free marriage-building time. Thanks Papa and Mimi for taking such great care for the kiddos while we were gone. They had a blast!

Jonah's Big Day

On August 10th, our home officially moved into a new stage- school age years. Jonah, our sweet-hearted first born was anxiously up at 6 am to start this new adventure. As his mama, I was less eager for him to begin. I was sad to lose so many hours of the day with my buddy, but also excited for my super social guy to get to learn in an environment that I knew he would thrive in.

Oddly enough, one of the hardest things for me with him going was the thought of him having lunch without me. I was afraid of him not knowing how to open his own yogurt, or eat his veggies before the dessert, or not have enough time to finish his sandwich, let alone the other items (none of these have ever been a problem by the way... Apparently Jonah is capable of eating lunch without me!). In order to ease the transition for both of us, with the help of a cutter, I cut his sandwich out in the shape of the Millennium Falcon. Jonah thought it was super special and it really did make me feel better too. :) We also still send notes in his lunches, which I don't see ever stopping. Sorry, high school Jonah.

We tried not to hype things up too much and create nervousness for him, so Jonah picked out his own outfit. In retrospect, a little guidance probably wouldn't have hurt. :) Go Big Red!

Jonah's classroom. The lady standing in the back middle is his teacher, Mrs. Sweetman. She is wonderful! I'm so thankful for Jonah to have such a great teacher in his first year!

A nervous smile sitting in his seat for the first time. This was followed by me trying not to hug him for a fourth time and holding back tears. So proud of him! The boy with his head turned sitting to Jonah's left is Maddox, his best Kindergarten buddy.

After we walked home, Abby, not sure what the big deal was, was insistent on her turn for the picture. Ta da! (Note: she also dressed herself.) :)

This is Jonah just after being picked up. He loved it! He loved his first day of Kindergarten and he's loved every day since. I still miss having him around, but so far this new stage in our home has been great. Jonah is proving that he can venture a little farther out in the world and even thrive doing it.

I'll Dance with Cinderella....

A Few Months Ago....

July 14th, to be exact, my baby turned 1!

Here he is enjoying his birthday slumber.We had family come over to celebrate. He may have been a little overwhelmed by cousins.Fun and messy ice cream sandwiches. They were actually fairly easy to make.Ready to devour.

Finally, we celebrated with a splash. We love you precious boy!And in honor of turning one (exactly three months ago) Levi has now decided to officially use walking as his main mode of transportation. Video coming soon.

The BIG Conklin Fam

In early July the NE Conklin 5 headed out to Ohio to reunite with Mimi and Papa, the PA Conklin 5, AND the Taiwain Su 2 (Brian's sister Alison and her husband, Nick). It was great to have everyone together! Here's a pic of the entire Conklin (and Su) crew.

The boys wasted no time and picked right up where they left off with wrestling. :)

We certainly were never bored.

A big goodbye hug.

On our last full day there, we visited and ourdoor animal park/safari and got a super close up look at tons of animals.

Jonah wasn't quite so sure about it all.

We had so much fun and are very blessed to have such a great family. Love you guys!

Summer Fun

The last two months in pictures....

Mother's Day! Brian surprised me with a day off in a hotel (I ordered room service and it was A-MA-ZING) and then dinner with the kids and a carriage ride. Fun was had by all (except apparently Levi). I am blessed.

We finally worked up the nerve to cut Levi's baby hair off. He has now entered the Conklin boys 6 week hair cut rotation. Would you say it was time?


Jonah offically became a preschool graduate. Here he is with his buddies from church again, Andrew and Ben, who were in his class.

and his teachers.

We drove to Scottsbluff for an FCA camp and then continued on to Copper Mountain, Colorado to vacation with my side of the family. While I have basically no pictures of our time there as my arms were almost always full of an 11 month old stud, I'm hoping a kind sister-in-law will pass some along my way. Here's Levi ready for the ride.

And Jonah and Abby were also excited to hit the road. They all did great with the 22 hours of car time there and back.

We stopped and ate at Ole's Big Game Steakhouse on our way out. Abby was not a fan of the stuffed polar bear.

Chimney Rock. Moderately impressive. :)

And on our last day in Colorado, Jonah lost his second tooth as he was brushing his teeth.

Abby just continued to be cute. In a side note, however, Abby is missing one of her lower four middle teeth and actually seems to be missing two of her permanent upper teeth. I understand it's quite common.

And finally, just last night the kids were flowergirl and ring bearer and Brian and I were host couple in a wedding of some sweet friends of ours. It was a beautiful ceremony and a super fun wedding reception. We are so happy for Greg and Bethany!

The kids may have had the most fun of their life dancing at the reception. Lets just say that on more than one occasion Jonah was breakdancing in the center of a circle and Abby worked her way down the middle of a dancing line. They had a blast.

Daddy, our non-dancer, "reluctantly" kept Levi company on the side.