Blame Apple...

A few weeks ago our computer stopped working.  After a trip to our friendly (and crowded) Apple store, we were up one brand new hard drive and minus all our data and pictures.  Luckily, almost everything was backed up and we didn't lose too much.  The stuff we did lose I'm trying not to think about because it makes me crazy.  Even while all this was going on, we've managed to have some fun...Halloween, pumpkin patch, family pictures...

His father's son 

 What a character!!

How can I get these boots off?

Connor the Horse and Kylo Ren 

Quinn the Baby Chick 

Hayrack ride 

Looking cool!

Connor's school picture...this sums him up perfectly :)

Just hanging out...

We've been getting in as much outside time as possible before winter comes!!

Carnivals, reunions and birthday parties...oh my!!

I am so behind on blogging.  I blame work, the kids and the Cubs...not necessarily in that order.  Here's a little of what we've been up to the last month or so.

We went to a carnival in La Grange and thanks to Drew's skill (??) at winning carnival goldfish, we became the proud owners of two fish.

Meet Mr. Grouper and Gil

Unfortunately, Mr. Grouper did not survive our night in Dwight (see below).  Gil lived another week or so but soon joined his friend in toilet bowl heaven.  We now have a new fish named Rainbow...here's to hoping this one lasts longer.

Since the carnival in La Grange was such a big hit, we headed to Dwight for Harvest Days and enjoyed the home run derby and the carnival.  Both my dad and Erik participated in the derby and Erik ended up in second place.  

Watching Papa and Uncle E 

Playing with Elsa 

Roller coaster time 

After the carnival, we headed to Oglesby for the Popurella family reunion.

Connor and Elsa hanging out 

Connor helping Papa 

Nolan  

The Family

We also celebrated Quinn's first birthday with the family.  It was a great day but Quinn was a little under the weather.  Turns out she had both a double ear infection and mouth ulcers.  Very painful but she is doing much better now.

 Q was not interested in her cake at all

Oh boy 

Happy 1st birthday Quinn!

Q also had her one year old pictures taken.  While we think Quinn is adorable, we don't think modeling is in her future.  She really wanted nothing to do with the pictures but they turned out cute anyways.

The Big One!

Well that didn’t take long…..

I think we’ve said this to lead off your older siblings’ 1^st birthday posts, so why change now.

Despite being our “smallest” baby, Quinn came into the world with considerably more fire and passion than her older brothers. Thankfully, she calmed down within a few hours.

Quinn has been a solid addition to the Sand Family.

 

She’s an eager travel partner….

A good eater….

 

Good-natured and quick with a smile (usually)…..

But she’s also not afraid to mix it up with her brothers (who she loves VERY much)

And has little time for snuggling these days now that she’s on the move

Q – We couldn’t have asked for a better first year and are so proud to have you as our “girl teamer” (as Ryan would say).  We’re excited to see what the future holds (mom is really hoping for some more hair, if possible).  Happy Birthday, Q!!!!  We love you!!!!

Kindergarten Stud

Ryan started school a week and half ago and I'm finally ready to write about it.  As expected, he loves school.  In fact, he is ready to leave the house pretty much the minute he wakes up which is unnecessary given that school is literally a two minute walk.  He's really enjoying making new friends (although he still doesn't really know anyone's name).  Given what he talks about every day, I'm pretty sure his school day consists of only recess, gym and computer lab.  I'm hoping there is maybe some other learning going on there as well.

First day of school 

So excited 

Hugs for Connor 

Take 1 

 Take 50

11 months old!!

        

      

         

Summer Fun!

We've been cramming in as much as we can before Ryan starts school in a few weeks.

Zoo trip...first time posing in the boat at the swamp

Soccer class...Connor is a spectator only

Splash pad...

Cubs game...Ryan went with Memaw, Papa and Kaylee.  Connor got a helmet that some guy had eaten nachos out of :)

First tooth!!

On our way to the Dells, Ryan lost his first tooth.  It's taken me so long to blog about it that he has since lost his 2nd tooth!

Tooth one - gone 

Tooth two - gone

Wild Wisconsin Part II

After our trip to Wisconsin with the Sands, we headed back a few weeks later with the Golden family.  We rented a house near the Dells and had a great time at the waterpark, miniature golfing and swimming.  We even celebrated Nolan's 1st birthday with a special birthday cookout!

Playing at the park with Aunt Kaylee 

She liked the water much more than this picture reflects

Ready for some hole in ones 

We try...