that last picture (and playing in the leaves)

There was one final fall picture I just had to get to make my photo book for the year. I had planned to get this picture while at the cider mill, but the first time we went it was just Sam and Ben (this picture had to have all three kids). The second time we went to the cider mill, we had just finished with family pictures and Sam was not in the picture taking mood. And there were mosquitoes everywhere down the path that I like to take the picture at. I had thought about trying to get back up to the cider mill again today, but it didn't look like the weather was going to cooperate with me. It was cloudy, then it started to rain. But while the kids were eating lunch the sun started to come out, Andy said maybe we could head up to this Christmas Village down the road to take the picture (but that just was not the "scene" that I wanted for my picture). There was a nice large area in the backyard that might work. But it was still really wet out from the rain. I said screw it, so the kids get a little dirty, I want my picture! After lunch I started to get them dressed in their "cider mill" outfits. Meanwhile it starting hailing outside! But I saw a huge patch on sun on the way too. The kids thought I was crazy, Andy started to think I was a little crazy too! But as I finished fixing up Jacob's hair the hail went away and the sun came out. All the kids were in a great mood (once we told them they could play in the leaves!). And I got the picture I wanted (actually I got quite a few that turned out good)! It's the cover for my photo albums and it just has to match the previous years (I am so anal about these things!). Afterwards we let the kids play in the leaves for a little bit. Jacob and Sam had fun throwing leaver all over each other. Ben kept trying to walk through them, but kept falling down and getting frustrated. You can see all the pictures here, but below is that one picture I wanted...

pumpkins and apples

Today we got together my with family for our annual apple picking and pumpkin hunting day. We had another very nice day (just like last year) although it was a little on the warm side for mid October. Jacob and Sam loved the inflatable bounce thing and slide. Ben got to walked around with his Aunts and Grandma. And we got to meet Jeanette's boyfriend Dave, who is a very nice guy. We had some donuts and cider of course and picked some apples and the kids got some pumpkins. We took the annual family picture, which turned out really good, thanks to Dave! All the pics are here.

cider mill

After the wonderful time we had taking family pictures, we decided to head up to the cider mill. That was about as fun as family pictures! Of course the kids had to change into their cider mill outfits (come on... you know me!). But they look so cute that way! The donuts and cider were great as always and Ben is really getting the hang of eating donuts! The bees were out this time though and Sam was in one his moods. We took a short walk down the trail, short because the mosquitoes were out! They were all over the kids and Andy and I just couldn't take anymore of squatting them off everyone. I got some cute pictures of course! Hopefully we will have another chance to go in two weeks and it will be a little bit better.

family pictures (yeah right!)

So we attempted to do family pictures at the park today. It was a little warmer than I would have wanted it to be (the kids were wearing sweaters and jeans for their pictures) and there were barely any clouds (making it hard to find a spot without any shadows). Jeanette met us up at the park to take the pictures (two years ago, I did the set the timer and run into the picture at the last minute thing, which does not really work). I really figured that Ben would be my problem child. Being that he is only eleven months and in the stage of not wanting to sit still for anything. And you never know if he is going to be in a good mood or change in two seconds and be screaming. But, Ben was in a great mood and laughing before we even really started pictures. Sam on the other hand, was not having any part in taking pictures. He had some sticks he wanted to play with and gosh darn it, that is what he wanted to do. As soon as we took those sticks away he was mad! He face was either shoved in Andy's lap or his hands were over his eyes. Sometimes he would just turn his face the other way. I think we got one or two of his looking at the camera with a semi-smile (of course those would be the pictures were one or two of the rest of us were not looking at the camera). Jacob was great and except for trying to not bust out laughing at his brothers, kept smiling the whole time. We got some funny shots and it will be another family picture taking experience that we will laugh about later. I did get some fabulous pictures of each of the boys by them selves (you can these through the link below or at their separate blogs-links at the top) and a couple of all three of them together. Hey, at least we spent some time all together, that counts for something right?!?! (links to all the pictures are below)















family pictures
three boys
jacob (11 years)
sam (3 years)
ben (11 months)

first taste of fall

Today we stopped in at Yates Cider Mill for our first taste of some donuts and cider. This was Ben's first trip ever to the cider mill. He loved watching all the people. And he loved his donut! I think he ate almost the whole thing! Sam also loved the donuts and apple cider. We took a short walk along the path and enjoyed the beginning of the fall weather. I know we will be back a few more times before the season is over. Some pictures here.

playing together

Sam and Ben having started playing together! Normally Ben just likes to watch Sam play and will sometimes crawl over and see what he is doing. But then Sam normally gets mad that Ben is in his way and playing with what he is playing with. For the past couple days, after dinner Sam asks if him and Ben can play "Halloween." I have not really figured out what he is doing or why it is called Halloween, but I know his imagination is hard at work. Sam moves the cushions all over on the couch and does various things with them or pretends the couch is various different things. He helps Ben get on the couch as well , which Ben just LOVES to be able to do. And they play together for about 20-30 minutes while I clean up dinner. I love being able to get dinner cleaned up without little feet under me. And of course I love the fact that they are starting to play together and that Sam actually wants to play with Ben! Hopefully this is the start of a great brotherly bond! Couple pics.

starting the fall fun stuff!

Today we went to the annual Barn Daze at Friendship Park. This is the third year we have went. The first year it was freezing cold and the kids really couldn't do anything. Last year and this year it was pretty warm and perfect blue skies. Sam had a great time, he LOVES the huge inflatable slides and tunnels and bounce thing. He did those over and over again, until his face was beat red and we had to force him to sit down and drink some water! Sam also loved the hay maze and ran around in there for almost 30 minutes (it only take about 2 minutes to make it through the maze!). There was not much for Ben to do, but we did let him out of the stroller and crawl around a little bit where we could (this is one of those times where I wish he was walking, it would have been a little bit more fun for him then). Sam and Daddy had a snow cone at the end and Sam just loved that. Both kids were exhausted by the time we left and took a nice nap in the car on the way home. Some more pics here!

hanging out with the animals

I had today off, since Ed and Lynda are still in Indiana for a family reunion. And I figured since most kids are back to school today that the zoo would be a great place to visit. Sam has not been there at all this year and he just loves the zoo. It was going to be on the warm side, so we got there early in hopes that we would see more of the animals. Becky also came and brought Julia and Joey. Sam just loved having Joey there to run around with! We saw a lot of animals and I think that the kids had a great time! Sam's favorite were the penguins, I even got him a new stuffed animal penguin before we left. I think Joey's favorite was the snakes and Aunt Becky got him a pretend one too! Even Ben got to get out of the stroller at the end and crawl around outside of the butterfly house and check out the salt water fish tank. Of course pictures here!

first day of school

Today is Jake's first day of middle school in the sixth grade. I can't believe he is out of the elementary school and growing up so fast! I can't wait to hear how his first day went!

Today is also Andy's first day starting the nursing program at OCC. He is a full time college student now and he is determined to keep his 4.0 GPA in this program.

Tomorrow is Sam's first day at a new pre-school. And he seems very excited about it!

I hope that everyone first days go great!!!

happy labor day!

We had a nice relaxing morning on this labor day. Jake went back to his mom's around noon. He has at his dad's since last Sunday and Sam and him have just had so much fun together. Andy needed some quiet time to prepare for his first day back to college tomorrow for the fall semester. Sam, Ben and I went to my parent's for a casual dinner. Becky brought Joey and Julie with her and Sam had a ton of fun playing with them in the pool. Doesn't feel like it should be the end of the summer already, but school starts tomorrow so I guess it is. But I fall is my favroite time of the year, so I am looking forward to that! Some pictures from the day here...