because you asked

The new house has hit the slow, doesn't look like anything is happening phase. But I have been asked to post some photos anyway. Here you go:

A view of the front

The back of house

wakeboarding

the boys showing off their moves

Jared is finally comfortable on the board

Carter's first significant jump!

happy and sad

this makes me happy!

(we will be moving into our rental the first weekend of October)

this makes me sad!

(Claire loves the monkey bars, but they don't love her so much)

watch out for those Cruze kids

they are always up to no good

all together now

first day of school

Carter got to show off his new smile

Jared got to show off his new style sense

Claire got to show off her new dress

I enjoyed taking all three children to one school

The day went great. Claire was all smiles and no fear. She told me one of her friends looks just like her (Asian). Jared agreed that Carter's old third grade teacher is indeed the coolest teacher on the planet. Carter thought he was too old , now that he was in fifth grade, to have his mom walk him into class the first day. I said tough, this was my last year and I was going to enjoy it. I did say I wouldn't bring my camera in. (the class room was full of moms-one took Carter's picture)

eight no more

On Jared's birthday Allen stated that we will never again have an eight year old boy in our family. This made me a little sad and made me hug Jared a little longer. Jared enjoyed turning 9 and all the celebrations that comes along with a birthday. They included cookie cake and presents with the extended family, dinner at melting pot on his b-day, making his own family birthday cake, and a friend party with a few friends over to watch National Treasure 2 in the theater room with yes, more cake, this time from the store. Jared announced many times that this was his best birthday ever.

beach bums

Oak Island memories

The famous boat

little mermaid

Allen's creation

surfer girl

surfs up!

family fun

the D&D pit