Fall Happenings and Highlights

Wow! It has been almost 2 months since our last post. Sorry about the delay but fall is a busy time in the Wieland household. The girls started school this past September and are doing well. Rachel is in 5th grade, Sarah is in 2nd and Jordan is in Kindergarten. It has been a little strange not to head to the daycare every morning and afternoon!

Rachel is still taking piano lessons and is in Girl Scouts. I expect basketball to start later this fall/early winter so that will be another item to add to the calendar. She also began playing trumpet this year and loves it. I don't even have to remind her to practice!

Sarah is loving school again this year. I think reading is her favorite subject. She always has a book in the van or at home. AR (accelerated reading) tests is something she really excels at. Sarah is also taking piano lessons again and is preparing for her first festival contest this coming Feb. She call the music she is working on her "festible" music. Girl Scouts is an activity we enjoy together because I am her troop leader.

Jordan started all day/every day Kindergarten this year. She is learning a lot and doesn't seem too tired when she gets home. Homework is something that she enjoys doing. I am sure that opinion will change in the future! We registered Jordan for 4-H this year so she is excited to begin her classes. She would like to play hockey with all of her friends (who happen to be boys) but I'm not sure I want to be a "hockey mom."

The fall has been wonderful up her in NW MN. Todd was able to get is harvesting done in record time. He was a little concerned because the crops got in a little late in the spring but the Lord blessed us with warm weather to speed up the drying process.

The girls and I were able to travel to Duluth one weekend for a Wieland Girls Only trip. We accompanied our niece to the bridal shop where she picked out a wedding dress. Rachel is a Jr. Bridesmaid so she got to try on dresses too. She was in heaven! We spent the weekend at a hotel/waterpark where the girls had a blast swimming. We didn't get to see all of the tourist attractions while there, so another trip is in the future.

Ready for the 1st day of school!
Big Kindergartener!

Smiling nice even though it is early.

Sunflowers

Once again, it is that time of year for our annual sunflower pictures. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon to take pictures in the field. Enjoy!

Swimming Lessons

All three girls (along with 2 cousins) took swimming lessons this past July. Lessons took place in TRF and lasted for 2 weeks. Each girl made progress while having fun in the water! Rachel completed level 4 and Sarah completed level 3. Jordan will be in level 2 again next year.

One more pic...

This is how I feel after all of the painting I have done this summer! I think the guest room will have to wait a while because I am all painted out! Maybe Christmas break?

Here is the artwork/candleholders above the couch. The wall looks a little more pink in the photo than it really is.

Summer Project - Part V

Todd and I painted the Master Bedroom yesterday. Again, we just went with a cleaner shade of white to brighten up the room. It didn't pay to take a before shot since you can't tell the difference (unless you were the one painting). It was still one of my painting projects this summer so I had to post a picture. I just need to add some more pictures/artwork to the walls to make it complete.

Summer Project - Part IV

It was time to give the bathrooms a "paint makeover" last week. I taped and painted both bathrooms in one day. Can you tell I just want to get it done? I ran out of paint for the half bath for touch-ups so I will have to go get a sample can to finish it. I went with a sea blue for the half bath and white for the main bath (in case I want to change out the shower curtain.) I can't believe how many different colors of white there are to choose from! Now on to the Master Bedroom to paint...

BEFORE - HALF BATH

AFTER - HALF BATH

BEFORE - MAIN BATHROOM

AFTER - MAIN BATHROOM (You can't tell from the pictures but the fresh coat of paint made it look and feel fresh & clean!)

Summer Project - Part III

I decided to tackle the kitchen this weekend while Todd was on a fishing trip. What a job! It took 2 hours to tape around everything and another 2 hours to take the lovely wallpaper boarder off the wall. I spent all day Saturday painting, taking tape off and putting things back in their place. I chose a sage green color for the kitchen. It came out a little more minty than I expected but it is still nice. It has to be because I am not painting this kitchen again for a long time!

BEFORE The lovely boarder around the kitchen - goodbye!

More white walls!

AFTER

The color matches Sarah's clay bowl she won perfectly!

A view from the kitchen into the living room.