Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday, we headed out to the orchard for the annual pumpkin patch festivities. It was a little wet and a little cold, but we all had fun and we are STILL scraping off mud from our shoes.

the hay stack the kids could play in all day

Amelia, with help from Dad climbed to the top.

Jack's favorite-walking back and forth through the bales

Coming back through

Why is it so difficult to get them both to look?

But here's how we solve that ... make em' kiss!

giggles

sipping some cider

on the hayride, Jack was very interested in the tractor

Dad and Jack both transfixed by the tractor, maybe it's a boy thing?

Sis on the move to find the right one!

Hunting his down

With their picks. Jack tried multiple times to pick his up and was getting extra mad he couldn't do it.

Can't believe it's already late October! Stay tuned for house updates!

Campout 2013

Last weekend we headed to Illinois for our annual family reunion. It was year 30 at the same place! Like always it was refreshing and a wonderful time to catch up with family.

Dad and Jack 

 Matching cousins

 Blowing bubbles, throwing balls, making a mess...

 My Aunt and Cousin with grandbabies the same age. 

 Splashin

 Jack generally did great all weekend. He loved having so many people around and so many places to explore. 

 Saturday Afternoon we had a reception honoring my Aunt and Uncle on 30 years of Marriage

Amelia and my cousin's daughter Jemma

sharing cookies

 Amelia racing Papa

 Amelia lounging with Uncle Landon

The camp grounds has a frisbee golf course that is played quite regularly ... Jack was ready to join in.

 Saturday evening we always have a short devotional ... which is the only time these girls sat still 

 People didn't believe Amelia could read, as you can tell... they were thoroughly surprised

story telling.

We had a record number of people there at 54 with a handful of people absent. Again, just a wonderful time reflection on our heritage and resting.

Bedtime Stories

Dad reading before bed. Jack barely hold still

With Amelia reading, she usually likes to read with brother as well. She isn't that patient with him when he tries to prematurely turns pages.

Kisses for Sissy, which tend to be on the sloppy side.

yes, more kisses

What joy to watch the two interact and play

Picking Apples!

This weekend we went to the orchard for picking... Of course it just so happened to be the orchard's fall festival (so many people) and it was rather warm, which I was not happy about. BUT! we had fun and we got out of there with plenty of apples.

Jack found lots of good ones on the ground. 

It's close to a good picture.

Amelia thinks this is both a smiling face and one that's looking at the camera. I have far too many pictures with this face

my boys

Amelia apparently got tired of picking and starting trying to climb the trees

Heading back with a loaded down stroller

Five Things...

1. WE ARE OFFICIALLY OFF FORMULA!!! After months of expensive milk-free/soy-free formula, we finally found something that Jack will both eat and not have a reaction to... Coconut Milk. I tried soy, it took him awhile to adjust to the taste but seemed extra grumpy in the middle of the night. And since I don't want to deal with that any more than I have to, we switched. Here in a few more months we'll give dairy another shot. In the meantime, Nana found non-dairy cheese (yes, it sounds disgusting) so Jack had his first grilled cheese sandwich ever! Next up! coconut milk icecream!

2. We are all adjusting to living here with my parents. Only slightly annoying that I can't find half of my fall clothes or shoes. But some pros: DVR ... and I actually feel like we watch less tv with it now. Evening hot tub soaks, leaving to get ice cream with James once the kids are in bed.

3. We have seen some massive progress on the house this week! In just 3 days this place will be completely framed! Here are some pictures of the progress. We even took Amelia out there to see her new house. My nephew and BIL joined us too. BIL used to help build houses so it was nice to have a trained eye walking through with us.

 garage!

Right inside the front door! Look stairs are in! This was end of day two... 2nd floor almost complete

Our eat-in kitchen 

Checking out the view from the living room

Here we are checking out 2nd floor!

This picture is great! James is checking plans while Amelia and I talk about her new room

This was end of day one... and fuzzy (phone picture) But you get the idea. 

best friends and cousins!

We are very excited and have enjoyed watching the house go up! Now let's hope on a before thanksgiving move in date!

4. In less exciting news, I just chopped my long hair all off... It's liberating really. I just took back half of my morning. Ok, not really but it hasn't been this short in awhile.

5. We are fully enjoying our beginning of fall over here... crafts with kids, playing outside, homecoming parades, apple picking... Can't believe September is almost over!