Mom wanted to see some pictures of our new place, so here they are...



The kitchen






The living room






It is very tiny (especially compared to our Florida home), but we really like it. Maddy and Katie like how tiny and cozy it is and they can walk to the park and swimming pool. Mom likes it because it takes about 15 minutes to clean. And all of us have decided we will stay here forever just so we don't have to move again! :)

Famous last words....

Maddy and Katie are enjoying the new experience of attending school. But we are finding out that school is all about rules... The first day was an all school assembly with the Principal explaining the school rules, followed by every teacher explaining the rules of the class. I wonder how we survived thus far with far fewer rules in our lives????

This was all followed up by Katie's class making their own rules, illustrating them and voting on them. Here is Katie's:







If you can't read it, it says, "Don't push someone off the swing just because you want to go on"

Unfortunately, her rule was not the most popular in the class, she was narrowly edged out by the rule "Don't sit on a thumb tack on your chair." Second isn't so bad... :)

Our Latest National Park Visit - Shenandoah

Over Labor Day, the Kreilings & Littles visited Shenandoah National Park, continuing our quest to visit all national parks in the US of A.  The best part?  Uncle Craig was with us!   Yay!!

The weather was mixed - total fog wipe out for our arrival late at night (imagine Walter, towing the camper, with his head hanging out the window to see the yellow lines!); beautiful for Saturday; rain Saturday night; cool & cloudy on Sunday; and beautiful again on Monday.   But we're veteran campers so we were prepared for everything & anything!

The first day, we hiked the Appalachian Trail for a bit then proceeded on a course straight down into a ravine that held a beautiful waterfall.   I knew I was in trouble when the path was down the whole way - that meant hiking up to get "home".  I'm not a happy hiker, so the trip up was full of grumbling and groans.  Maddy needed her inhaler but we didn't have it, so Uncle Walter, the dogs and Nicky "raced-hiked" out of the ravine to get the car so that we didn't have to hike the whole way back to the campsite.   After quite some time, we all made it back to the parking lot and waited for Uncle Walter to rescue us.   The hike was about 4 miles in length, and WE ALL MADE IT!

That ended my portion of hiking on the camping trip - Uncle Craig, Katie & Joey were all right there with me.   However, Uncle Walter and Tante Laura, along with Maddy & Nicky, went for a long hike on Monday, too.

Here are some camping pictures - we really enjoyed the weekend.

Here's where we lived for the weekend!

Gathered around the fire - Uncle Walter is eating his favorite camping food - baked beans right from the can (after having been warmed on the fire grate).

On a short hike after Sunday lunch at the hotel - Amy is not in the picture because she was unable to walk the day after the BIG HIKE.  I was snoozing in the car waiting for their return.

Chopping wood is a favorite past time for the men.   Here is Nicky learning from the masters.

No, those are not Schmeisser patties on the grill.   We are, unfortunately, very low on our supply and didn't have enough to bring on the trip.   But we did have very yummy cheeseburgers with baked beans and potato chips.

Hope you enjoyed our trip!

First day of school........















So they went off to school for the first time today. Most of you know that Craig and I didn't plan to homeschool the girls - it just came about because of a bad situation for Maddy in kindergarten and then it just worked for our family. We have always felt that there are pros and cons to both public education and homeschooling and for us the pros of homeschooling won out. Until now - with our latest move, Maddy REALLY wanted to try school. She is missing a very good friend that we left behind in Florida and is hoping that she can find friends at school. Craig and I are hoping that she not only gets her wish, but enjoys the experience.

Katie on the other hand has no interest in school. She is perfectly happy homeschooling and wants to keep things just the way she knows them. With Katie being a more social kid, I'm actually hopeful that she enjoys the experience as well.

I have to say that Craig and I are totally on the fence. Maddy's class is going to be very large and Katie will have a substitute for at least the first 4 week, but both teachers seem very warm and friendly. We went to a new family orientation and I have to say we did not leave impressed with the presentation. We left wondering if it is the best setting for the girls. But, I know they will be fine and they will get used to the setting. The big question is - is this the right decision for our family? Tune in around Christmas time when Craig and I decide if they finish the year or come back home..... :)