Leeper Family Photos

We made a quick trip to Decatur to see my family and nab some family photos before it was too cold outside. I think they turned out fairly well (considering the subjects). It was plenty windy also. Can you believe how tall everyone is getting. My niece is officially taller than her mom and nearing taller than me. My nephew. . .holy cow, who is that man?! Crazy how quick everyone is growing.

Hard to believe these four, cute things came from me and Brant. Right? God definitely did some polishing up on these sweet peas.

Me, my big bro, and big sis. I always think we don't look alike, but in this picture, you can tell we are all siblings.

Dad and Mom looking cute. I think they have been married so long, they are beginning to look alike. Doesn't that amaze you with couples?

It was great to see all our family, but when Uncle John brings over his new puppies that sort of trumps everything else. Cute, cuddly little furballs.

Creeping Closer

Brant is officially 38! All he keeps talking about since turning 35, is how 40 is quickly, creeping closer. Oh, well! As mom says, "The alternative is far worse." True.

"New" Pulls

A cheap, little redo. I hated my kitchen hardware. Sooo not me. But every time I would price a piece of hardware I liked, multiply by 44, and then look at my checkbook, . . .*sigh*. I decided one day, over in the spray paint section, to take matters into my own hands. I did a little faux finish and came up with these "oil-rubbed bronze" beauties for $12 for all 44. Not perfectly what I wanted, but, come on, twelve-stinkin'-dollas'!

I'm seriously investigating some other paint options to take my kinda' like kitchen to my kinda' love kitchen. We'll see what i come up with.

We Did It!

After two months of training, today we all ran our first 5K. Very exciting, and I was just so darn proud of all of us. Our times were not the greatest, but not a single one of us stopped to walk. I completed right under 35 minutes, Ike and Ava were right behind with 37, and Brant, Paige, and Claire were a clip under 40. Brant promised to be the last Hamby, to make sure our kids didn't get lost on the downtown streets. It was a great memory, and we can't wait to plan our next one.

Claire and Paige had the best evening. Our neighbor offered to take them up in his two-seater plane as part of the EAA's Young Eagles program. They participated in a full flight inspection and then were given a 20 minute plane ride. They buzzed by our neighborhood and by their elementary school. They even "helped" steer at one point. Mr. C. took the time to answer any questions they had (and there were quiet a few). He explained how all the equipment worked and let them help roll the plain onto the runway. It was a day they will never forget.

How I Spent My Summer

Well, half of it any way. We were so busy during the actual season , that I didn't get any pictures of the kids in their uniforms. So, here we are six weeks later and getting it done. That's life around here.

I found it crazy that all the kids had red in their uniforms. That never happens. Don't you love the pink cleats with the red uniforms? We don't have any "formal" fall sports (so far). I can't tell you how much we are loving the breathing room in the schedule.

Last First Day of Elementary

For the first time ever, everyone was excited about their classroom. This is Paige and Claire's last first day of elementary school. Where did they all go? I'm a mix of excitement and nervousness about their fifth grade year.

Claire received her number one teacher pick, PLUS her best friend is in her class. Could the year look any better?

Paige is in the class she wanted, and two certain boys that bring on Hamby girl giggle fits are in her room. Hmmm, her year seems to off to a good start also.

Ava got the teacher she wanted. The reason she wanted her, and I quote, "She's pretty and she wears high heel boots." Good enough reason, and I think I'll go to her parent teacher conferences instead of Dad (yeah, pretty sure about that).

Isaak didn't care what teacher he got, as long as his best buddy Cooper was in his class, so he is super jazzed. I already informed his teacher of their b.f.f. status and warned her not to sit them by one another. Boys will be boys.