September recap

So here’s the thing: my real camera barely saw the light of day in the month of September. I don’t know if it was exhaustion after such an eventful August, or the advent of school frustrations, or if it was that the constant demand of the daily photo finally drained my photographer’s energy. Whatever the reason, as each September week came to an end I found myself scrambling for pictures to fill the seven days, then putting off not only the photo snapping but the blog updating as well…for just one more week. But of course, the bigger the hole, the harder it is to fill.

There were few events in September that even prompted camera usage, and when those moments came around I was found myself suffering from guilt paralysis—just seeing the camera reminded me of all those great shots I’d been failing to take, so I usually just left it in its bag. 

But then October was significantly more action-packed, and each passing event left me yet another folder of unedited, unposed pictures, creating a continually growing pile of work between me and getting caught up. 

That’s how, in December, I find myself behind three months of unreported happenings, and if I don’t dig myself out soon, I never will. So I’ve made a deal with myself—just photos, just recaps of major events or whole months. No editing, no weekly posts, no wordy explanations and I’ll be caught up in no time!

So here, posted in the first week of December, is finally a recap fo the month of September.

Water play on the last summer weekend before school

A first go at homemade pizza on the Green Egg

S'mores in the backyard with neighbors

Tea with good friends on an afternoon off

Football. September was about lots of football.

First concert of the fall

Halloween shopping a little early

Newsies on stage in Grand Rapids (during the Art Prize show)

Fall weekends

Michigan football on Saturdays

Family biking on Sunday mornings, followed by doughnuts and cider at the mill.

And, on occasion, wildlife in the neighborhood (although that has nothing to do with it being a weekend...at least not with this kind of wildlife)

Swinging back

Being back stateside is wasn't all it was cracked up to be, but, really, is that at all surprising?

We're reentering our daily routine, but there's laundry to do first, and dogs to reassure. Iris has learned how to get on the furniture while we were gone, but she's trying so hard to behave. 

Last week we jumped right into things with a sale at the library, the first day of classes at our homeschooling group, the fall festival in our little village, and a home football game. These are all things that we love about our home, so they were welcome diversions, keeping us from pining for vacation.

And fall is my favorite season.

Football Saturday

This year may feel more blue than maize, but oh well. We're still having fun.

Football is back

I'll make no comment on the football game itself (our team so far has left much to be desired), but our fun football Saturdays are back, and that's something we can cheer for. Tailgating with good friends, eating good food, and enjoying beautiful weather. Calvin and I got to go to the game this time around, which treated us to helicopters, a bald eagle, and a stealth bomber, all in pre-game. The rest of the game was just as heart bursting, but not for such enjoyable reasons (eek!). Jon, who is not a huge fan of football itself, got to stay home and enjoy some peace and quiet.