A Few Fall Pics

    Things have not slowed down for us since the last post, but I thought I would add some photos of what we have been up to. We went to Oklahoma City to visit our friends the Sarkisians over Labor Day weekend, then to Tchula for an overdue visit with my family a few weeks later. Both trips were great! Now we are headed into fall break and Maggie's birthday, but I'll save that for another post.

The Sarkisian and Porter kids

Ryan making the kids laugh by giving me bunny ears

Will and Trey

Maggie and Julia

Meredith with Emma and Ainsley

Will in his crouch position

Will used Papa's number 60; Papa also played on the defensive line

High-fiving Coach Nathan

Maggie in my old Cruger-Tchula cheer suit

Will helping Meredith on a school project -- giving Joseph some rainbow coats; we had 12 little men for Jacob's 12 sons, but Babe ate 6 of the men plus 2 other ones that were not men

First attempt at homemade poptarts -- they were a hit!

And the Race Is On

     Yes, I feel like I am in a race, and I have never liked running!! School has started with a bang, as well as football, and in the afternoons, it's a rush to eat snacks, get homework done, change for football practice, go to football practice, take baths for the girls, cook supper, pick up from practice (Ryan helps out on this end a lot), eat supper, take shower for Will, then get to bed at a reasonable hour. I'm still trying to figure it all out!! Obviously, I need to work on organization in the afternoons.
     This past week, Meredith has been in San Francisco visiting her Auntie Paige, Uncle Greg and cousins Cate and Reese with Ava. She has had a blast, and I have had time to get some much needed work done!! However, we are ready to see her sweet face again!!

"Margaret's" first day of formal school

3rd grader and 5th grader!!

Margaret's classroom

Getting settled into his desk

And here is my own personal kindergartener!

Meredith's play-dough man -- for a history lesson

Cate and Meredith riding the carousel in CA

Meredith, Cate and Reese

After church on Sunday in San Francisco

Summertime, Summertime

Meredith after a party at Sweet and Sassy

Our summer has passed, oh, so quickly! In another week, Maggie and Will will go to school, and Meredith and I will be homeschooling. It seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out what to do with all our time, and now, I'm trying to figure out what needs to be done with the little that is left. We have had wonderful fun and created many lasting memories, and although I am very sad that the break is over -- especially since Maggie is going to school for the first time! -- I know that the structure will be a welcome change for all of us. Enjoy the pictures (there are a couple of surprises at the end)!

Found some Tasti-Lee tomatoes at Kroger in honor of Samuel and his boss in Florida 

Maggie got new glasses

Headed to an 80's Party

Yes, Ryan found a KISS costume which was a huge hit!!

Will and Connor getting settled on the top bunks at Camp Good News

Will, Connor and Samuel Benson -- cabin mates

Meredith saying goodbye to Maggie

Bella, Reagan and Maggie -- cabin mates

Maggie's and Reagan's top bunk space

Fun with friends

Meredith at a 4th of July bike parade while Maggie and Will were at camp

Decorating 4th of July cookies

Pick up day at camp

Will practicing his new skill of diving down in Florida

Meredith became more and more comfortable in the water over the summer; the week after Florida she was jumping off the diving board and swimming all over the deep end

Just lounging

Maggie's giant shell

Will hanging out in the wade pool with Ryan trying to capture little fish

Meredith really began to enjoy the waves this year too 

Meredith was so excited to give Will a present just from her -- it was a dollar bill!

Sushi celebration for Will's birthday in Collierville

Caboose in Collierville

And the big engine

Will with his specially decorated chair, courtesy of Maggie, and his strawberry cake; he is joined by his lot of stuffed animals, also Maggie's doing

Will was giggling so hard he couldn't blow out the candles; his big present was a trip to see the Texas Rangers play in Dallas

Football birthday party!!

Will and Griffin Garrison celebrated turning 9 with a double football birthday party!

Our very unique "peach chick" before we ate it

Maggie and Mama took a little mother/daughter trip at the end of July, and this was our first stop -- Mellow Mushroom

Maggie meeting the horses at Meadow View Farm, the bed and breakfast where we stayed

And they had goats!!

Our first breakfast

Maggie and her friend Katie Stephens at the ice skating rink in Olive Branch

First time on ice and she's doing great!

Our room "East Meets West"

Maggie's second favorite thing besides the animals was this awesome tub!

Enjoying a coffee treat

Entrance to our room

AND they had a hot tub; we couldn't stay in long, but it did make the outside temperature actually pleasant!

And the big surprise -- Maggie has donated her hair for the 3rd time!

Big day at Sweet and Sassy

TA-DAAAA!

And she got her ears pierced -- a back-to-school make-over