Corn-fed.

SURPRISE?!?!?

Last week Anabelle took her first airplane ride as the four of us traveled to Iowa to celebrate "Papa Boley." He turned 60, and there were lots of festivities! The best part was that he didn't think we were coming, so we pulled one over on the "Master Planner"- as I like to call him!

There was a big party on his actual birthday, and the house was filled with the flurry of excited guests, the aroma of delicious catered food, and the tinkling sound of a live pianist seated at their baby grand. The 5 Boley girls wore coordinating outfits from Gramma Boley, and the sun even broke through! Near the end of the evening, we all stood up to toast the birthday boy~

We also spent a lot of time playing outside on the farm: blue skies, white picket fence, cows, chickens, ducks. Swing set, schoolhouse, trampoline. Three "big," patient, fun, lovely, girly "cousies" to run wild with and explore!

Aunt Christy even let us help milk Charlotte the cow!

And what family gathering would be complete without entertainment!? There was a big Iowa Hawkeyes football game on that weekend, so we sported black and gold, ate lots of fun food, and enjoyed watching the game together (aka, playing with the kids). Here's the live "half-time show!"

There were so many pictures taken in 6 days, that I am having trouble choosing what to post! Literally, hundreds and hundreds. So, here are just some of the fun family shots:

The end.

Wanna bet?

I'll bet you my Sunday was grosser than yours.

I win hands down, you don't have a chance against this:

We've been sick for a couple of weeks. Colds for all four of us. Leaky-faucet runny noses, coughs, sore throat, aches, fevers, etc. All on and off, most of the worst while we were traveling actually. Friday we got Raegan on antibiotics for an ear infection and poor thing has been doing much better.

Anyway, Monday was hilarious. Hilariously disgusting. We had brunch with friends, and I vaguely remember Raegan eating a donut and, well, that's it. After a record-breaking nap she awoke with a coughing fit, and things went down hill from there. She coughed so violently that she threw up- somehow I just knew it was coming and had whipped around to grab the closest container just before she hurled my direction, hitting my carpet, my arm, and part of the brown paper bag I had swiped in desperation. I cleaned her up, the carpet up, and of course my own left arm.

And to protect the dignity of my poor sweet child I will not go into all the gory details, but lets just say later on that day I carried a child in a garbage can full of her own diarrhea to the bathroom where I cleaned her up, the tub, and then of course myself.

It was gross.

It was smelly.

It was actually not that bad because

it was my child, and I'm even more in love with her today than yesterday.

Deserving...

I've written previously of my mom being awarded 'Teacher of the Year' in her district. Recently she went on to win for the region! So, this weekend she will interview in Olymipa with the other regional winners for the STATE! So, let's put it this way- my mother is currently one of the top teachers in Washington state! Officially. Not just in my opinion anymore. Good luck, mom.

Slumber Party 101

I'm so behind on blogging, but it's all for good reason: September hit! I guess I wasn't quite ready, because I feel like I'm trying to catch up.

I have to document this, so to back track just a smidgen, Raegan ended the summer with her very first (very small) slumber party. It was originally out of necessity to help out a friend, but we thought we'd add one more and call it a party. I actually got way more sleep than I thought I would!

The evening began with mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets, and apple juice:

Then quickly on to dress up and "school":

Dance party:

Bucket marching band outside with dad:

Popcorn and a movie in our pjs:

...and off to sleep... (didn't get any sleeping princesses on camera out of fear I'd wake one of them up!)

The next morning, chocolate chip pancakes:

Pajama jumping party on the mattress:

And three happy preschoolers who all need a good nap:

Raegan consistently reminds me that she'd like to have another one.

And I consistently remind her that we'll wait until next summer:)

First Day of Preschool!

Yep, you read it right. Raegan started preschool this morning! I cannot believe it. It was a wonderful morning. She fearlessly said goodbye to us, and dove right in.

I'm so proud of you, my Raegan Joahnna! Look how grown up you are!

Dropping off our big girl...

Finding Raegan's apple...

A celebration cupcake!

...with our preschool friends!