September Recap

Well as can be expected, the first few weeks of the school year were hectic. On top of the typical hecticness (my own word :)), Jason was gone more than he was home, we needed to ask Jason's parents and my mom to help us with childcare for a few weeks and I was getting ready for a long-term sub. At least I didn't have coaching volleyball added to that list. As much as I am missing volleyball, I know it was the right decision to take the year off.

Maternity leave...I worked for the first 3 1/2 weeks of school and then have taken off for 6 weeks. This is one of the perks that hasn't been taken away from teachers...yet. Even though Kipton was born in June and I had all summer with him, I was still allowed to take up to 12 weeks off (of course not all paid). So starting, September 24 I became a stay at home mom...at least until November 7. I have been able to get some play dates scheduled. I have been allowed to be apart of the MOPS program at church during my leave. This is a group of moms who meet as a large group every other week and schedule play dates on the opposite weeks. During the large group we have a speaker and then are able to have conversation within the small group to reflect on what the speaker presented. It is a great support for women/moms.

I have posted some pictures I have taken during September.

*#1, taken in our yard on a beautiful Fall day
*#2, cousins!
*#3,at Bay Beach
*#4, we had great weather in September so we were able to take lots of walks
*#5, we finally finished Kipton's room. Special thanks to Mark, Jason's dad for making the wall decals and wooden letters!

Labor Day weekend

Over Labor Day weekend, Jason and I took the kids up to Door County for the day. Mark and Chris were camping for the weekend at Door County Retreat Campground. We had a wonderful time! We hung around the camper for a few hours visiting and celebrated their birthdays. I, being the wonderful daughter-in-law that I am, made and decorated a cake! Those of you who know me, I don't bake very often, so this was an extra special treat! Later went to a winery down the road for some wonderful wine tasting! After we had our wine we drover further up the peninsula to Fish Creek. It was a beautiful day to walk around the town and through all the fun stores.

3 Month Pic

As I post this photo today, Kipton is actually now 4 months old. I will wait to list "accomplishments" until I get to his 4 month pics. I guess that is what happens when you have another baby!

Summer fun!

Biorn Family Reunion

Grandma Jean, her 3 girls and their husbands


Grandma Jean with her grandchildren, their spouses and great grandchildren

Grandma Jean and her great grandchildren

Jason's grandma
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2 weeks ago the entire Biorn clan met in Gurnee, IL for a family reunion. Typically this has been done over Labor Day weekend for the past 29 years but this past year we met in Ft. Myers Beach, FL over Christmas and this year in Gurnee.

Jason had been traveling for the entire week in IA so I packed up the kids and traveled solo. I broke up the trip by leaving Thursday and staying just south of Milwaukee with Jason's cousin. We were able to spend time with Jason's grandma which was very nice.

On Friday Macayla, Jason (he met us in Gurnee), my dad and sister went to Great America while my mom and other sister Tricia (who is now almost 20 weeks pregnant) watched Kipton. We had a great time. My dad probably had the most memorable Great America trip he has ever had...he was able to take is grandaughter on her first roller coaster. Yes, you heard right, 2 1/2 year old Macayla went on the Whizzer! You have to be 36" to ride and she was 36 1/2". She LOVED it! She road it 3 times and kept wanting more. All day long she was saying "up and down, up and down".

The rest of the weekend was spent visiting with all of my extended family, aunts, uncles, cousins and of course the wonderful woman who makes it all possible Grandma Jean.

2 month pics and stats

Length: 25", 97%tile

Weight: 13 lbs 2 oz, 78%tile

-SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! :) 10-6

-rolls over belly to back, both directions

-smiles

-coos

-started to "play" with his dangly toys

-found himself in a mirror

-started sucking his thumb :(

Harrold Wedding

Last weekend my parent's Godson Bennett got married to a wonderful women, Jo-Lin who is from Taiwan. Bennett's brother Nathan, who is also my parents Godson, has a daughter who is 6 weeks older than Macayla. The two of them were the Dancing Queens of the night! Macayla would search the dance floor for someone to dance with and go up and grab their hand. She danced with everyone! Although we didn't take Kipton to the reception, he made quite a name for himself at the ceremony. In the middle of Bennett and Jo-lin singing to each other, Kipton had an EXPLOSIVE diaper. It was heard 5 rows back and 5 rows in front. While I was in the bathroom trying to save the outfit and change his diaper the power went out...no windows, so no light. It came back on within seconds but they were the longest seconds since I hadn't finished changing him. All in all, it was yet another great weekend Up North in Minocqua!