"Fall"

I use the term "Fall" very loosely!  It is supposed to be 85 degrees today and tomorrow.  Geez.  The leaves are falling but without really changing color...they are over the heat too...they just want to move on.  :-) Anyway, fall is such a fun time of year with lots going on (hence the blog silence as of late).  Life is moving along and we are enjoying our new normal!  We are in a rhythm and we are thankful for new opportunities and adventures!  FALL!

5TH GRADE!  How did we get here already??!  Crazy!  He has wonderful teachers this year and expectations and independence are high but so far so good!  The "Aquarium Designer" occupation choice this year comes from our time in Portugal and our visit to this amazing freshwater aquarium designed by a Japanese man that was just spectacular and definitely made an impact on our little guy.

Double first days this year!  LOVE these two scholars!

Luke is VERY into Pokemon!  Both collecting and playing.  If we are around on Saturdays he plays in a local Pokemon tournament.  I am still quite shaky on the rules and game play but he and his buddies love it!

Doing extra chores to earn the Pokemon tournament entrance fee!  

Lake time with Daney, James, and Evelyn

The neighborhood gang and a Pokemon battle.  This happens nearly every single day! :-)

I turned 40 and L turned 42 this year.  I recycled my candles and taped a "2" to the zero.  His cake was decorated by Luke and I to show a few of his favorite things! 

Luke's last fun run!  He did amazing and ran nearly three miles

Luke reading to baby E just shy of her 9 month birthday!

2019 has been the year of the independent Halloween!  Luke decided on his costume without assistance or suggestions.  Luke made his costume entirely without assistance or suggestions (and no money spent!). And he carved his pumpkin without any assistance or suggestions.  It was ALL him!  

Halloween 2019 - Luke is a tree for Halloween.

Luke the tree and his friend Jed is a bush.  Ha!  Love these kids!!

This family member cannot wait for cooler weather!!!

Luke's pumpkin and his chosen pumpkin display :-)

Pumpkin Patch Goodness! SO cute!

Little Minnie Mouse having a snack

Team Tully went on our first family backpacking trip!  Other than the rain it was such a fantastic experience and an absolutely beautiful place!  We hiked, we climbed, we scrambled, we saw waterfalls, we laughed, we built fires, we got soaked.....MEMORIES! 

And we're off ..."bye car!"

The outdoors just does something to this kid.  He sings, he dances, he runs, he scrambles over rocks, he talks about big and little things, he opens up.  "Hiking Luke" is something to behold and cherish!

Rainbow Falls

SIMPLY gorgeous! 
The logistics for a backpacking trip for a family of three were tricky and the weather was not ideal but once again...all the gear, all the effort, all the incredibly wet clothes and gear was all TOTALLY worth it!  Time outside, time together, time to wander.  It matters.