Running through an apple orchard- gotta love fall time!
Nate and Alli have a beautiful apartment with lots of space to play, with real ducks in the courtyard. Ben and Grace now think that apartments are way better than hotels, and would really like to move to Minneapolis and live in an apartment. REAL DUCKS! IN THE YARD!!
The tree is about 2 feet high, and very interestingly shaped, to say the least. Nonetheless, the desired and very beloved tree now resides in our backyard, where it will (hopefully) thrive, someday filling the back yard with red leaves all over the ground.
The planting of the beloved tree was a very fun, if somewhat messy, process. Ben and Grace were involved in all steps from the picking and digging, to the planting and stomping. Which part do you think was the most fun?
This is from yesterday, at Papa Jim and Grandma Kathy's house. The high reached about 50 degrees, and there was a nice light drizzle most of the afternoon. Lovely. Ben and Grace, however, had a blast. They went 4-wheeling, and sat by the fire. Ben even found his dream maple tree to dig up and bring home. They had a great time, and the weather did not stop them a bit!
Today started out nice, even with some sunshine. By afternoon, the clouds had rolled in and the temp had once again dropped. Emma is a bit young for damp weather, so the older kids had to make do with an indoor activity. And make do they did! We got some foam stamps from Target, and they had to try them out! What a mess! 
Although they may have started with stamps, they ended up only using their hands (clearly the stamps were too neat!). This kept them busy for almost an hour while I made dinner-completely worth the mess and subsequent 30 minutes of scrubbing walls, tables and floors.
What a sweet little girl Emma is! Laughing at her silly brother and sister is a favorite activity, as is playing with her toys and eating! She loves to eat, especially her cereal and fruit (veggies not so much, but she is warming up to them). Emma makes us smile all of the time, and we are so grateful that she is a part of our family.
Ben and Grace love Emma so much, and spend alot of time playing with and taking care of her! The smile that Emma gets on her face when she sees one of her siblings is the cutest thing! We fear that she may become a bit spoiled, as they do not let her cry, and do not feel that it is acceptable for me to ler her cry. Fortunately, Emma is so sweet that she could use a little spoiling:)
Here is the first day of school outfit- I love Ben in orange and blue!
Grace was very sad to see her brother go, as they had gotten very close over the summer. She waited all morning for him to come home, and when he did he was so crabby that she wished his day would have been a little longer. The second day she was not quite as anxious for his return. However, after the first day or so of being very crabby and tired, Ben and Grace seem to play better after that small time apart each day.
Waiting for the suburban, with a mixture of excitement and apprehension!
I cannot believe that Emma is already 4 months old! These past 4 months have gone so quickly! Emma is such a sweet baby, always laughing and smiling-so happy! She loves her play gym and exersaucer, and her favorite little moose named "moosie". Emma loves her brother and sister, who are always willing to read her stories, play with her, and hug and kiss her. Grace tells everyone who talks to Emma "but don't keep her! She is our baby!" Grace kisses her goodnight every night and good morning every morning! Even Ben has found her to be a wonderful audience for all of his stories- the more he talks, the more Emma smiles!
Emma started eating solids this week, and responded as babies usually do. "What did you just put in my mouth? Blech!!!!!"
It did not get much better that first night, but by the third night, she was actually chewing on the spoon and eating the cereal willingly! Go Emma!
It has been a fun-filled four months watching Emma grow develop into the sweet baby that she is. WE LOVE YOU EMMA!!!!!!!!!!!
The playground has 3 slildes, multiple climbers, a storefront panel, and 2 fun spring riders. Lots for kids of all ages to do. We still need swings and a ramp (the surfacing is accessible, but I forgot to order a ramp for access to the accessible surfacing).
I should mention that as the (soon to be former) park and rec director, this was my project from start to finish. Lots of work, but totally worth it for my kids and all of the kids in our town!
