Fall is here...

Last weekend while Daddy was gone all day at Uncle Jake's Bacholor party

(my husbands brother is getting married on the 26th)

Saturday,I took the kids to Middlebury (Amish Country) to their Fall Festival Days.It's a perfect place to take little ones,as the crowds are not over whelming.The weather was glorious,and the kids had a blast!In the down town they have a nice park for the kids to play.That is where we spent the last hour of our day!My mom tagged along,and my Aunt and Grandma and my cousin met us there.We had so much fun,and the kids came home exhausted and ready for bed!

Riley has become quite confident in playing on big playgrounds like this.I remember not too long ago when he would not walk on any of the play equipment,because it has holes and I think he thought he could fall through!lol

Elliott on the spring horse as you can see by his hair,he was really movin!


Sweet Clara,I love how the rays of sunshine are coming down on our little angel.


Riley always in motion.

Jackson hanging upside down...and this bar was pretty far off the ground so I was impressed!

Watching the antique car parade...Elliott and Riley were enthrawled.

Truly they are Hartman's through and through.

The park has some old Canons the boys thought were way cool and wanted to climb all over them.

We ate lunch in the pavilioin in the center of the park down town.After all what's a fall festival with out some yummy food.We had amish noodles and chicken.

And Grammy got a plate of cupcakes for the kids!They were SO excited!

Riley's first Cotton Candy.He was not too sure of the texture.lol

This video was taken accidentally.I turned the camera to video instead of picture.But,I love it because you can hear my grandma in the background laughing at Riley,who of course was being a ham saying "cheese"every second!lol

Labor Day...

On Labor day we ventured out to Potato Creek Park.The Kids had so much fun playing on the beach,flying kites and just getting good and dirty.My parents met us there around noon and we ate lunch.The park was not busy at all,and in fact we had the entire beach to ourselves all morning.The water was pleasant and the weather was perfect!My Grandmother came along as well and I think she ejoyed watching the children run and play.Here are some of the many pictures we took from the day.I have a couple of videos too I will try to get up!What did you do for Labor day?

Jackson ate his lunch in the tree...

Riley and Daddy wressling...

Elliott in the tree...I love this picture of him!

Grammy pointing to the kites..

We flew Kites,well,the adults ran around until we were out of breath trying to keep the kites off the gound.

Then we gave up and gave the kites to the kids and they ran and ran to keep their kites off the ground!

Riley got bug bites all over his forehead...and ate himself silly...and overall had a great time!

Sweet Miss Clara...

she pushed Riley around in his stroller

All the adults eating the yummy ribs my Dad made on the grill.

My Grandmother is here visiting from Florida and came along with us.

Jackson could not stay out of the tree...:)

Playing on the beach...Riley was COVERED in sand when we left!

Big kids playing in the water!

We brought sea shells...

Daddy blowing bubbles with Riley...as you can see we were the only people on the beach...that was SO nice!

Our Sand Castle...with a moat...we were very proud of our creation...until Riley ran through it...then we all just laughed!

Rose Marie

Meet Rosie!

I have the wonderful privilege of babysitting Rosie two days a week.She is such a sweet and happy baby.I kid you not,I don't think she has ever cried while I have been watching her! After having a pretty high maintenance baby (a couple actually) she is a walk in the park to tend to!The children love to dote on her,and I love having a little baby to love on,then be able to send home and not have to wake in the night to take care of her.Having her around has been so good for Riley,as he is the baby of the family,and we have realized just how much we treat him like the baby.He is learning to share,and now just loves Rosie and gets so excited when she comes.At first he wanted to be the baby,would go grab his bottle and sit next to me while I gave Rosie her bottle saying "I mama's baby".Yes,it was so adorable,but also made me realize how much I baby him.Oh well,he is my baby!

This expression on her face above just makes me smile!

I had a little photo shoot with Rosie one afternoon.The bow in her hair is Clara's and matched her dress perfectly.Isn't she just the sweetest little girl?! I loved this little tennis dress she had on too!Little girls are so fun to dress up!

Giving the Van a Bath...

Splish Splash Giving the Van a Bath!

Brandon decided a few weeks ago to wash the van.And let the children help him.I'm not sure who enjoyed it more,Daddy who had eight little hands help,or the children who got to play in the water while cleaning.It's so funny how excited they get to help with daily chores like this.We are making sure we take advantage of every moment they have a cheerful helpful heart!
Daddy giving the boys instructions...

Riley wearing Jackson's camo hat!

Following Daddy around to the back of the van

Jackson's face...

Clara above is so detail oriented!

Elliott was a little hesitant at first to put his hands into the soapy water...but it did not take long to jump right in and help!

Still Here!

We are still here.It's just been a very busy...summer.But,now summer is over,and we are getting into the swing of fall schedules.We began homeschooling,and that is going great,the kids love every minute of it,well almost every minute! Jackson and Clara are both starting kindergarden.I love the curriculum that I found.Little Hearts For His Glory.It's great,everything is planned out for you,and God's word is woven into and around everything!The verse we learned last week was"Let the Little Children Come to Me,and Do not forbid them,for such is the kingdom,of Heaven".We memorized it to a song,and they have been singing it throughout the day as they play.I love to hear them sing!It's blessing my socks off knowing that they are learning all about the Lord,God's goodness and faithfulness to us continues to amaze me!

Elliott is having two therapy sessions a week,with his OT coming every other week,making three therapy sessions.He got his benik finally (suit you wear under your clothes.I know it sounds crazy,but it's working!)He still has good days,and not so good days.But,his language skills are really coming along! At his therapy session last week,with his speach therapist,he started turning the flash cards over and reading the backs of the cards.This amazed all of us!He is SO smart,more than we realize I think! He has a passion for riding his bike,he would ride all day long,everyday.Last week he said as clear as a bell "Mom,I go outside and ride my bike please?" For Elliott that is a chore to say that many words,just to remember to use all of his words is a huge accomplishment.Of course I said yes,I mean,who can say no to his little pouty face?!? (Don't worry,I can say no!)

Riley is our smiley Riley,always flashing a grin and making us laugh.Last night as I was cleaning the back porch I had point of grace playing and I turn around from moping and he is bobbing his little head to the music and swinging his arms.All the kids and I began dancing and laughing our heads off.Thats Riley,always making us laugh,together.Clara said to me as we were dancing "Mom,I love Riley,he is just so great".She's smitten,we all are.

In other news,we did a big room switch.The boys are all downstairs now.While Mommy and Daddy moved to the boys room upstairs with Clara across the hall from us.I painted what was the master bedroom a lovely enchanted sea blue color.The switch was nessecary because we had been given a loft bed twin over a full.And the celings upstairs are slanted.Hence the only place we could put a bunk bed,was in the middle of the room!We got the boys room all put together,and we slept on the couches for a night,while I painted upstairs.A huge thankyou goes to my dear friend who came and helped me.Our kids played together while we painted our new bedroom and got it all painted in about two hours!When I first had the idea of switching rooms,I thought it to be no big deal.What I did not account for was all the things that had to be moved.Needless to say,our lives were crazy for about two weeks,while we re-arranged.And our armoire is still sitting in our living room,because it won't fit up the stairs.So,we have to figure out a new location for it.The boys love their new room,and we are loving being upstairs.With Clara having asthma,it makes it much easier to wake up in the night with her,and most mornings we wake up with her in our bed...so Clara is loving it too!;)

Whew,that was a longer update than I had planned...and kudos to you if you are still reading this! Have no fear...pictures and more blogs to come!Blessings!