back to school, hoping for normalcy once again!

It was such a crazy summer for our family that I breathed a sigh of relief when school began. I know the kids even were excited to see their old friends again, have a regular schedule, and leave summer behind.

I regret that I didn't try to post here more frequently over the summer (mostly for our own family's semi-journal keeping attempts that pass for this blog). But now that it's fall and I have a little more time alone, be warned that there may be a bunch of random photos and events from 2012 that I'll be throwing up here without rhyme or reason.  Better late than never, I'm telling myself.

For now, here are a few shots we snapped of the kids before they headed off on the bus the first day of school. Yes, the siding around our front door still isn't painted. Like I mentioned, summer was crazy and I was gone for over half of it. So the painting hopefully will be checked off the list before winter sets in.

Em is in first grade. She picks out her own clothes and this is the shirt she insisted on wearing for her very first day of school. Any Phineaus and Ferb fans out there?

Anna rocking the "Deb" hairstyle from Napolean Dynamite as she goes into third grade. Again, we don't have much influence over clothing and hairstyle selection around here. Fortunately, the side pony phase only lasted a couple of weeks. But she's cute anyway!

Our big eighth grader. The last year until high school, yikes! And this kid is all about athletic, comfy wear for school. He dresses up for Sundays and that's it.