Thankful Tree

This year we had a Thankful Tree. We were supposed to write down (on a leaf) something we're thankful for every day and put it on the tree. We didn't get to it every day but it was still fun to see what the kids were thankful for. Some of my favorites were Emily's shoes, she didn't say that, I just thought that was her favorite thing. Austin said God, food, our big family (meaning extended family.) Jake said construction workers, so that they can build houses, food, so we can eat and crayons, pencils and markers, so we can write. Next year we may have to change it up a bit as Austin pointed out that leaves are supposed to fall off the tree at this time of the year, not be put on. hmmmm, what's a mom to do?

Thanksgiving and Birthdays 2012

We ventured off to Boston for Thanksgiving this year. The time with family always goes by too fast but we always have fun! Thanks Chad and Mary Anne for hosting us!

 I love these kids so much!

 We visited the Patriots stadium and Bass Pro Shop. I wish we had a picture of the Faith's- sorry guys!

This was after Reese's birthday party. My favorite memory will be Reese "reading" every birthday card. Each one said "Happy Birthday to Meee!" She had such a surprised voice while reading too. It was so cute!

I also had a nice birthday brunch with everyone together. Jeremy also took me shopping a few weeks before. I have a great new wardrobe now! Thanks Jeremy!

Our Days

Last weekend we attended a tree lighting ceremony. Austin was very uneasy about this since we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving yet but we still went and had a great time. We were so glad that Jonnie and Kory went with us! There was a cute path with little houses lit up. Emily wanted to go inside these facades so bad! To her credit- some of them were real houses that you could play inside. It was pretty cute.

 Emily has also decided that she is a Cub Scout like her big brother. She likes to sit with them and even raises her hand when the boys do.

 Austin held Emily one day while Jeremy and I got lunch on the table and she fell right to sleep on her big brother.

 I learned that Emily is scared of the mixer. I was enjoying the fact that she was "helping" to make a cake and when I put down the mixer and stepped back to take her picture she made this sad little face. She was fine once I picked her up again but she was still eyeing that mixer!

Jacob had a Thanksgiving Feast at school today. His class worked so hard on their Native American shirts, necklaces and headbands. They were pretty adorable all dressed up.

Trick or Treat

These three kids had a great time dressing up this year! They attended Boo at the Zoo and Trunk or Treat at church. We were so glad we went to these events since the real trick or treat night was cold and rainy. The kids did go to a couple of houses for fun but we mostly hung out with Grandma and Grandpa and had pizza and games at their house. The boys also dressed up for school parades. :-)

Lakeside Rest

Lakeside in October is serene and peaceful. We are so thankful to have spent a few days resting and enjoying a different pace in life. We always take pictures on the rocks! It doesn't matter how windy or cold it may be! :-)

 We had rain our first day which allowed for movies and magazines!

 Diego the Llama lives just outside the gates of Lakeside and we love to feed Diego and all of his chicken and sheep friends. We also had fun looking around the gift shop.

 Hotel Lakeside has a small game room that we always seem to end  up enjoying. We ate lots of pizza from Sloopy's and played checkers.

Emily had fun running around on the tennis courts while Jeremy and I took on Austin and Jacob. Those boys love tennis and really associate it with Lakeside.

 And I couldn't resist posting this picture- Jeremy kept making ridiculous faces while I was trying to take pictures so we ended up with this beauty!

Fall

These kids know when I'm tired and Jeremy is working and they try to push my buttons- on this night both boys purposely snuggled up on my lap immediately after I told them to head to bed. Of course, Emily followed, They know I can't resist those little hugs.

 Apple Picking! Every year we like to pick Golden Delicious apples at Lynd's fruit farm. This year we made applesauce, bread and apple crisp and we have just eaten the rest. I have an apple slicer, corer, peeler machine and the kids just love to eat "apple slinkies."

 Jake had a field trip to the pumpkin patch. His favorite things were hearing the sheep baaaa at him and going through the big slides. I don't know why I'm looking off in this picture but it's the only one we have. We were riding the hayride.

Baptism weekend

September 30, 2012 Austin was baptized at Quest Community Church. He was so excited to be able to share his decision to follow Christ. Jeremy and I are so proud of Austin and his desire to follow the Lord. We were happy to have many family members and close friends who were able to support Austin on his special day.

 

 Mom and Dad joined us a few days before Austin's baptism for some family fun! We enjoyed picking pears and walking through the local market at the farm and eating at a 50's style diner.

 Austin was very excited to receive a "real" Bible from Papa and Nini.