We spent Labor Day down at Lake Monroe.  We have been able to enjoy the lake so much this summer. 

We also made two trips to our Nation’s Capital. We spent precious time with our dear friends Mercedes and Hugh Wilson.  The first trip was an upbeat road trip. We were able to see many friends, including Mr. Wilson was very sick. Unfortunately, he passed away two weeks after we left, so we made a brief return trip (via air) for a funeral service. It was such a blessing to spend a little time with him before he died.  What a true gentleman.  He is missed. 

The girls enjoyed D.C.  We took a long walking tour around the D.C. Mall, and the kids were fabulous.  Emma walked a couple of miles and never ever complained.  They enjoyed seeing the monuments and the White House.  Steve and I were able to see our good friends while we were there.  We both miss the area very much and miss even more our friends who are in the area.

This month Steve was invited, along with my sister Meg and two cousins, to join Uncle George Hillenbrand for his annual Jackson Hole fly-fishing extravaganza.  This was Steve’s first time on the trip and he had the best time out in God’s country spending time with family.  While he was gone, Emma and Ruthie both missed him so much.  Emma would carry this little photo album around and open it up to Steve’s picture.  It became pretty pathetic after the 2^nd day considering he was only gone for 5 days.

Emma finished up soccer this month and progressed so much.  Ruthie is anxious to play now also.  I don't have the heart to tell her she will have to wait 2 more years!

This month, the college football season began.  We were fortunate enough to get season tickets to the Notre Dame games and I dare say that despite the sad plight of the Irish this season, we enjoyed every game we attended.  Believe it or not we brought all three girls to 3 games.  Although the game days they attended were very hot, the girls were champs.  They did not complain at all and enjoyed themselves.  Ruthie would ask every time we got in the car,  “We go No Dame game now?”  Emma taught Ruthie the fight song, which was so cute to hear.  Emma is very particular about annunciation.  She would try desperately to get Ruthie to annunciate to her liking, but to no avail. 

Emma has become quite the football fan.  She would have trouble seeing over the people in front of us at Notre Dame Stadium, so when the crowd would cheer, she would ask to be lifted up so that she could see.  She would then ask, “Did we get a first down, Daddy?  How about a touchdown?  Whose ball is it?”  She would even get excited to watch them on TV when they were playing away games.  Who would have thunk it; Emma a football fan! 

This month Emma began taking piano lessons.  She picked it up very quickly.  She is very musical, so we weren’t surprised to see her progress quickly on the piano.

Ruthie is blossoming so much.  She likes to give orders around our house, though.  She is the most kissable kid on the face of the earth.  Between those big curls and those adorable eyes, you just can’t resist her.  It is also very difficult to discipline her.  Whenever she does something naughty she apologizes right away so as to avoid the dreaded naughty corner.  Ruthie loves to stand on tables and sing songs (in her diaper).  I hope this isn’t a preview to her adult life.  She does not enjoy being clothed, so we frequently find her clothes strewn about the house (as many of this month's pictures will attest).  Ruthie started telling knock knock jokes but just makes up the punch line.  For example:  “Knock knock.”  Who’s there?  “Banana.”  Banana who?  “Banana drava woo woo.  Hee hee hee.”  Oh Ruthie, we love you, kid.

Now Vivian is really started to develop her character.  She has begun to do the motions to "pat-a-cake".  She claps and throws her arms up at the end.  She also knows how to sign the words "more" and "water."  We had to lower her crib mattress to the lowest level because she is standing up and using her crib bumper as leverage to stand a little taller.  Vivian is a big commando crawler.  She has yet to make it up onto her knees for the true crawl.  She pulls herself up to stand, though. 

 

Quotes of the month

 Emma on Steve’s being gone on his fly-fishing trip:  “I miss my daddy so much.” Ruthie:  me too!  Daddy go fishing?” Emma: “Yes, daddy didn’t want to leave us, but he needed to go have a good time.  He’s fly fishing, Ruthie.”

  Emma seeing the Washington Monument for the first time:  “Look Mom and Dad, the Leaning tower of Peezil!”

 Ruthie: “May I please snuggle you in my big girl bed?”

 Ruthie speaking to a half-conscious Mother at about 5am:  “Mommy, It’s a nice day. It’s a pretty day, right?  Morning mommy!  You get up now? Emma’s funky and frustrated.  Poor Emma.”

 Ruthie random:  “My Daddy’s a really good boy to me, Mommy.”

 Nudie Ruthie:  “Mommy, put a diaper on me so me no pee on this carpet!!"