School Pictures

I never took good school pictures and Scott says he didn't either. So I'm not sure where our kids got their photogenic natures, but I'm pretty much in love with their school pictures this year. 

I know I say this all the time, but truly, where does the time go? 

Lila especially loved the comb they gave her before they took her picture. She still carries it in her backpack. Just in case she needs to be ready for her photo opp.

Hiking at Babler State Park

This past Saturday was the first Saturday since Labor Day that we haven't had something going on. We were very glad to relax without having to rush out of the house. I was hoping the kids would sleep in, but Lila got up at 6:00 AM on the dot and woke Nate up too. That's just awesome. Except the opposite of that. I'm sure I'll look back on these early mornings and will miss them someday when I'm dragging them out of bed at noon. At least that's what I tell myself now! 

Scott had to work, sadly, and the weather was beautiful, so we went out to Babler State Park to go on a hike. When we arrived at the trail head, the sign said the hike would take an hour and a half. I thought that was totally doable and doubted that it would take us that long. 

 Well. I started my Vivo Fit about 20 minutes into the walk.

And at the end of the hike, it said that we had walked over 2 miles. It took us over 2 hours (we stopped and rested some) and the kids did so good. It was up and down lots of hills too. It's nice to be able to just go on a hike and not worry about bringing a bunch of stuff or having to carry anyone.

I didn't have to carry a person, but I was the pack mule as soon as we got going because they were hot. The time I didn't bring my backpack of course.

They found a log to crawl across - it was higher off the ground in the middle than it looks in these pictures.

I tried to be breezy about it, but it made me nervous.

They both did fine of course.

We were happy to get back to the trail head and have a picnic!

Love them. Bunches.

Dad's Birthday & Grandparents Day

Last Tuesday was Grandparents Day at Nate's school. Since my parents are retired now, they both got to come up! Nate was very excited to have them there. Tuesday was also my Dad's birthday, so they came up the night before so that we could go to dinner to celebrate. 

We went to Rigazzi's, which is our favorite Italian restaurant on the Hill. We've been going there since I was a kid. 

 We had a great time, and the food was amazing. It's my favorite pizza in the whole wide world.

After dinner, we came home to have cake - Dad was so sweet to let Lila blow out his candles. She had come down with a stomach virus that day, so this was an extra sweet gesture.

They had a great time at Grandparents Day! I know Nate was so proud. He has a special relationship with all of his grandparents, given that he was their first grandchild. The first will be 10 years old next month. Truly hard to believe.

We enjoyed celebrating my Dad and are so grateful that he is ours...and for wonderful grandparents that love our kids so much!

Halloween Festivities 2015

Nate & Lila both had activities at school the day before Halloween. Lila's was a Fun Run at the high school track (to promote healthy bodies leading up to all the Halloween candy. Ha Ha!) Here she is with her sweet friends - the three amigos!

Getting a good start - she just might be a runner someday...

Finishing strong!

Later that afternoon, Nate had his Halloween party, where they got to dress up. It was fun party and I'm glad I was able to help out!

Since Scott was working this past week, we had to carve our pumpkins at night, on 2 different nights. Thankfully he picked designs for the kids that weren't too difficult! 

Lila would not sit still for the picture. It's a phase. 

I could have moved the stroller before taking the picture, but that would have required some thought. 

Saturday, October 31st was another one of those Fall days where we had way too many places to be. Nate had a swim meet about 30 minutes away and it was sponsored by his team, so I had to work the meet. Lila had her last soccer game at the same time and Scott was at work. I had to call in reinforcements! Thankfully, Nana and Wayne came up to take Lila to her game and hang out with her until Nate & I could get home. It was a crazy day!

Nate did SO well at the meet! It was the real deal and I was so proud of his courage to get out there and get it done! I worked in the bullpen and it felt like I had come full circle. It's kind of funny now because I dreaded having to work the meet all week. But I really had fun being back in the mix.  

On Saturday night, Scott took the kids trick or treating. Here is our Ariel and Lucius Malfoy (from Harry Potter, for those of you that don't know. I didn't.)

They had a great time while I handed out candy at our house. Scott said it was the best year yet - they saw so many people and our neighbors really get in to Halloween. It's a good thing for my kids, because I don't get in to Halloween. I wouldn't let them put the decorations up until the Thursday before. It's all I can stand. I'm working on it.

Sunday was the most beautiful day! After church and rest, Lila & I walked to the park.

I love this view.  

Hutchinson Island 2015

I was excited about taking the kids to Disney & Universal, but I was ecstatic about getting to go to the beach. It didn't disappoint. The kids loved the beach this year, they were at great ages and played so well together in the waves! 

This is the second time we've been to Hutchinson Island. We stayed in a house with my family last time, and this time since it was just us, we rented a condo right by the beach. It was a perfect setup for us, 2 bedroom, 2 bath and the kids room had twin beds. It was everything we needed. The beach was a few steps away and we all loved it! 

The first morning, testing out the water. It was the perfect temperature and I'd like to go back in October every year! Not too hot, not too cold and the water was excellent for swimming.

Nate was still in Harry Potter mode, carrying his wand every where we went:)

The first morning, we played by the beach and came in to have lunch and a little rest time. Sweet Sister Lou had to have a nap after going all day at Disney the day before while fighting a cold. After rest, we went to one of the pools in the community. It was nice and all, but the kids weren't really feeling it. They were doing some bickering and whining that they wanted to go back to the beach. So we did! We walked right over this dune in the background and there we were.

Instantly, the bickering stopped and they were having so much fun! They even found a coconut. Which made Scott start singing, "You put the lime in the coconut..." We're all still singing it. Thank you Scotty.

My favorite time on the beach is late afternoon.

Love this, he's holding her hand...

After we got cleaned up, we went to a local restaurant in search of some seafood. We ate our weight in peel and eat shrimp and were in heaven!

The boys...

And...this was the best one of the girls...with my tongue sticking out. Awesome.  

The next morning, we went in search of some donuts for breakfast. I hopped on Google and found that there was a pretty famous (or infamous) place not far from where we were staying (not on the island, in Fort Pierce). The reviews said the donuts were fantastic and not to be scared of the bars on the windows. Scott & the kids thought I was crazy for bringing them here.  But let me tell you something, they were the best donuts I have ever tasted. They melted in your mouth and I've even had a dream about them since. Enough said.

After consuming a day's worth of calories at breakfast, we headed back out to the beach to work them off!

Lots of sand castle making, the kids could do this forever.  One of the reasons that we love Hutchinson Island so much is that is is very quiet. We had the beach to ourselves most of the time we were out there. It's not over built and there are seashells every place you look. It's sometimes called "The Old People's Island" and that's true, there are many retirees there. But that doesn't bother us. We like quiet. I'm sure there will come a time where the kids desire more action, but for right now, it's perfect!

My boy. He's gonna out grow me soon. Sigh.

 The kids were very in to getting buried and burying Scott in the sand. Kind of spooky, huh?

On Sunday afternoon, the Peach Family came to visit. They live just over an hour away, and we were so glad to see them! Playing football...

Burying Scott...again:)

Then he buried the kids (or all but one, I don't blame Maisie for not wanting to be buried. It's just plain creepy if you ask me!)

After dinner, we said goodbye to our friends and headed back down to the beach. The night before, we came out in the total darkness for a walk and it was so lovely. We saw ghost crabs and the kids enjoyed chasing them.

The next morning, it was time to pack up, but not before a quick walk on the beach.

Love. Him. And his Harry Potter shirt. 

(Lila was having none of the picture taking that morning)

This trip was such a fun getaway for us. The kids loved the beach and they are at the age where going and doing is just easier. It was short, but well worth the effort. I very much enjoyed spending uninterrupted time with my people - I love them so much and making memories together is priceless. 

The Boyle Four

2015