Four Jingle Bells

We were going to try to find an apple farm to pick at, but our friend's the Diezer's down the road invited us to get some at their house.  It was a great time!  Such generous and kind people. We had two full boxes, I think.  The kids really got into it and were eating them like crazy! Blake was doing a shoulder ride till Brooke dropped an apple on his head.  Then, that ended but it was still fun! Hailey loved the tree shaker.  They had a trampoline too, so we had to bribe them out of their yard.  There is nothing like the smell of apples in the fall! I can see, now, why most people out here love the fall!

Hooray for Saturday birthdays! All the kids had them this year.  Makes the day so fun.  We had chocolate chip pancakes, Spencer's choice. Then opening presents. He even let Brooke open one.  He has come so far in his temper control and sharing.  Doing the happy dance over his Lego forest ranger set.  He loves Legos! Getting started on the legos.  He was very into it and pretty mad when we went to Hartman Reserve (his choice), but we had a great time. This was Blake's first time there.  We explored a different route and tried to find a lake, but we would have been there all day!  We took some snacks and it was a great time. I thought this was a neat shot.   The kids have mega personality! Hailey loves holding William.  I think you can see how William feels about it!  He probably weighs close to her weight! These two are best friends and worst enemies.  But they are sure funny! Wililam was o...

Brooke drew a special picture of me "going to the bathroom".  Glad she is into abstract because I don't think anyone should have to see that. ha Blake and I attempting a pre date picture.  But they were all awful and blurry.  This is the only one that turned out!  But I am happy that we have our little ones in it.  Because they make our loves so full and crazy! Yummy treat for yummy kids! Spencer and I went on his first field trip together to Safety City.  We rode on the bus and chatted.  It was pretty great. I love seeing him at school. He is so friendly and fun. They learned about fire safety and got to shoot a fire hose.  Coolest thing ever. They got to hang out in an ambulance. And Spencer's favorite, sit in a police car!! They got finger printed. They got to make a fake 911 call.  They learned about train safety and power line safety.  It was a great time!  My friend, Liz, watched the kids so ...

 Our friends, the Forsyth's, called us one day to see if we wanted to go to the local nature preserve.  We hadn't been yet, so we met up.  It was really great! They have a little museum area with animals and fun stuff for  kids to do.    Brooke and Bensen  They loved these stuffed animals. I thought they were kind of creepy, ha.  Wiliam was fascinated with this praying mantis. Thank goodness there was a screen or there might not have been any praying mantis left!  Spencer and a huge snapping turtle  Me and the kids.  This is gorgeous! We went on a little hike after and the kids could have stayed all day! I am going to print this quote!  I am a big believer in good fresh air over tv and stuff.  

 Lego heaven.  Spencer could have stayed here all day!  He built a cool ship and then let another kid use it.  He didn't even get mad when it was time to go.  Nice to see him growing out of that!  He skipped the face painting, but the girls didn't!  Brooke is a bunny and Hailey is a tiger.  Love these cool events.  Spencer had to get a picture on this bench outside a bar. He loves green!  I think he inherited my Irish love.  He used his money and got some reusable sticker boards.   Cupcake heaven!  We all tried one and man, they were worth it!  William was so tired at that point that he missed out on it, but I think we were all pretty excited that we didn't have to share.  I don't think I say enough about what a great dad Blake is.  He jumps in when I need him to and when I don't need him to.  He is fun and funny.  And he is a great relaxer for all of us! Cute kid

 The happiest day of the month arrived, Lego magazine came in the mail!  So, we hung out out front and read it.  The weather was perfect and in Iowa, if you don't appreciate the good weather, you will regret it when it's freezing/humid.  Hailey walking William up and down the sidewalk.  Good sister.  William loves trees.  One of his first words was "tree".  He got the nature gene from me.=)  William wanting to ride the scooter and being annoyed that he couldn't get it to stand up.  Brooke goes to an art class once a week in the community art school.  They do all kinds of fun projects and for $5 and I don't have to clean up the mess.  She has made a friend their, Jason. He is 25, ha, but she loves him!    On an early out one day, we had planned on going on a walk to the grocery store since we live close.  The kids have wanted to, but it's been hot.  So, we went and didn't realize how aw...