Fall is Here...

I realize that it's been over 2 months since my last post yet it seems like just a couple weeks ago that I wrote that post. It's hard to believe how fast the summer came, went, and is now gone and that school is in full-swing. We have been pretty busy the last couple of months - here is some of we have been up to. I am hoping to get many pictures posted soon - however I have a new picture program and have yet to figure out where the pictures are actually saved on my computer.
Craig... has been extremely busy this summer. Not with his work of crop insurance - but with residing our house and making a lot of improvements. If anyone knows where we live... we use to have that beautiful "teal-green" house that about made me puke everytime I walked in the front door. Now it's an awesome khaki color with new doors, soon to be new garage doors, lights, and windows (soon). Craig with the help of his brother and another guys from town have done a FABULOUS job and we have received a lot of compliments. Outside of working hard he had found a little time to play in softball tournaments, a few golf outings, fishing trips, and he is now in Canada on a Moose hunting trip. I am anxious to hear how it went as he is up there with his Dad and my Dad.
Myself... I have been busy running with the boys here and there as well as running myself. I was conned into running a half marathon by my younger sister, Kristal. I am really glad that she did as I never knew I would enjoy running so much. This summer I have ran one 5K, a 10K, a 10 mile, and a half marathon. I will be doing another 10-mile race in less than 2 weeks. This is a time consuming hobby but have managed to find the time in the early mornings or with the help of my husband and family. I am hoping to continue running through the fall and winter and come spring would like to attempt a full-marathon. Something I would like to do once... just to be able to say I did it.
Payton... has started 2nd grade and seems to be enjoying it. He enjoys playing kickball at recess as well as ball tag. He has really become an awesome reader... reading 6 chapter books this summer. He has "aced" his first 2 spelling tests as he hardly needs to even practice. His other subjects seem to come along very well as well. We are so VERY VERY proud of his accomplishments and hope that his brothers pick up on these things this quick too.
Brooks... has started Treasure Box Preschool. He turned 3 in August (and will post pictures of his Race Track birthday cake soon). He has been hesitant on attending preschool, bible school, or even Sunday School... he tends to cry and want nothing to do with anyone or anything unless I stay with him. I am hoping that this phase will end soon. It's not terrible but enough to break my heart. Once he gets into it he seems fine... I wonder if he is just trying to make me feel bad.
Braxton... has turned 1 (Sept 3rd) and is still in the crawling mode. He will stand for what seems like minutes, unattended, yet will only take a step (or two) once in a great while. He is still our chunky monkey weighing in at 27 pounds and was 31 inches tall. Speaking of monkey... he climbs on EVERYTHING. He loves to climb on the stools to look out the window and will pound on them until someone responds on the other side. I have started to stack the little chairs at the dycr table as he climbs on them and then sits on the table and bounces. The bathroom stool at the sick is another one of his favorites. His personality continues to develop and loves to show his "fiesty-ness" every now and then. He says "Mom", "Dadda", and "bubba" for puppy.
I am looking forward to spending some great times in the leaves and searching for the perfect pumpkins this fall.