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 Juliette will often find little nooks to claim as her own...her outdoor homes filled with snacks and she decorates the trees and her surroundings.  She loves nature and this little creek that winds around next to our property.

Uncle Shawn came today!  Its been awhile since he has been here and we enjoyed the evening by the fire.

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 Juliette was literally bursting with exciting grasping her tiny 4-leaf clover she found at recess today! Grandma Koss has a knack for finding them and Juliette thought it was super special finding her first today!

233.365 {2017} Solar Eclipse

I was completely enthralled and was overcome with excitement with the eclipse...much more than I thought I would be.  Watching the footage on TV, I had instant regret on not taking the girls to a location to watch totality.  The girls had a middle school event that afternoon with the eclipse viewing and since Juliette did not have the opportunity to go outside with her class, I got her out a bit before dismissal so we could view it together.  Even with 91% cover we were able to get the eerie crescent shadowing and filtered haze that came over our partly cloudy day. It was just so cool!  Sadly, we had storms move in as it was peaking.   I can't wait until the eclipse of April 2024 when Indianapolis is 100% totality!

Juliette and dozens of crescent shadows.

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I love that the girls still find Barbies to play with and today some went for a swim.

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We have been so fortunate to have so many visits from our family this summer!  We celebrated Matt's 40th birthday and were overjoyed to spend time together this weekend!

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Happy 41st birthday to me!  The girls decorated, painted me pictures and wrote me beautiful cards for my birthday.  I also got many cards and gifts, messages and phone calls too!  I feel so blessed and loved!  We started off the day going to church and attended their lunch and little carnival after.  We came home, relaxed, swam in the pool and had pizza on the patio.  

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First day of school!

 Juliette was one sad little girl last night and this morning.  She put on a brave face and smile here but she was definitely nervous and anxious for her first day back.

 2nd, 5th and 7th grade!

 These girls were so so silly waiting for their bus.  To top off a very dramatic morning from Juliette, their bus was 30 minutes late!  We have had road construction that made the bus routes a nightmare!  

They all had a great first day!!!

219.365 {2017} State Fair

We had a fantastic State fair outing with our buddies and their Grandpa on Monday!  We love this annual tradition and hitting up our favorite spots all over the fairgrounds.  Of course we devour our shakes at the Dairy Barn, eat elephant ears and share lemonade shakeups too!  

We met at the Dairy/Cattle barn and went to the Purdue sponsored area where the kids can pet dairy calves who are just a few days old!  Adorable!

 The Boer goats were getting ready for show!

 Heading down to the rabbit building.

 Just hatched

 This picture makes me smile!  

 We have our spots all over the fairgrounds where it is tradition to take the kids picture.  They are really outgrowing the pig this year!!!  Lined up according to age!  7, 7, 10, almost 10, 12 and 12.

 This year they had a tent with exotic  animals where you could purchase feed or carrots to give them.

 Although a few have gone over the age limit this year, they still love doing this "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit.