A Trip To The Orchard

A trip to the local Apple Orchard is a fall tradition at our house. The kids had been asking frequently when we could head out there to get apples to make applesauce. A beautiful fall day after school we decided to make our way to the Apple Orchard to see just how many windfall apples we could find to

make applesauce.  

Max wasted no time taking a big juicy bite of an apples when we got out to the orchard.

 

The big kids got to work trying to find that perfect apple.

 

They each found the perfect apple to put away for a snack our walk back.

   

Every apple Max found he would giggle with excitement as he tried to reach it!

   

 A huge smile when it ended up in his hand.

 

Shane just couldn't help himself along the way!

   

 The big kids worked hard scouring the ground for the perfect windfall apples with out bruises or worm holes for apple sauce. The filled bag after bag in a short time.

 

Max got tired and decided to hang out in the wagon with the apples.

 

The kids took some time to enjoy their apples after they filled the bags.

 

I think Max was on his third apple by this time!

 

I love this picture of the boys as they began their journey back to the orchard store to pay for our apples.  

What a great day at the Apple Orchard!

A Trip Through The Owl

I went with Alexa's class to the local Corn Maze on her field trip.  The moms gathered outside the classroom waiting to depart.  As we waited we began talking about who had been to a maze before, who was directionally challenged and who was nervous about getting lost with their group.

Some moms had gotten online and studied the maze ahead of time.  Every year they change the Corn Maze and this year it was an owl. Can you believe that I grew up in Iowa and I don't remember ever going through a corn maze.  My husband will be the first to raise his hand and say his wife is directionally challenged.  So yes I did wonder how well I would help the kids navigate through the owl corn maze.

The kids were super excited to head into the maze.

We had to find 8 different spots through the Maze to find the answers on their sheets.  We had one boy who was great with directions.  I actually figured out how to navigate the map and sometimes I think it was just good luck that we found some of the stop points.

The kids were bound and determine to find the treasure chest.  If they did they got a free treat from the consession stand at the end.  One of the groups from Alexa's class found the treasure chest and gave us a little clue.  The kids searched and searched and squeeled with delight when they found the treasure chest.

The kids had a blast at the corn maze!

A Caterpillar Hunt

One of my favorite 1st grade field trips is the Caterpillar Hunt at a lake in the area.

It was a picture perfect day to be outside enjoying and exploring God's creation.  We started the day by letting the kids play in the park after our 45 minute drive! We ate lunch and snapped a quick class picture before it was time to begin our hunt.

 

Shane's class has been studying the life cycle of a Monarch butterfly. Every day Shane would come home super excited about what he had learned. The girls were right there with him and kept telling him how fun the field trip was since they also went on this field trip.

 

The kids diligently sought out milk weed because that is where Monarch caterpillars are found because that is what they eat.

 

The kids knew to flip the leaves over and look to see if they were hiding underneath.

 

The kids looked and looked but the dry grass and milkweeds didn't help the kids chances of finding some this year. There were a couple of groups that found one and so all the kids were excited for their friends that found one. They shared them so each class was able to get at least one in their room to watch.

 

Next it was time to head to the beach for some fun in the sand and water.

 

The kids were aloud to go in to their knees. There were a few wet shorts in the group but it really was a great day and the kids were amazing.

 

I love that all 4 sections of 1st graders go on this trip together. It is always fun to connect with the other parents and teachers of the first graders. We feel so blessed to be part of an amazing community of kids and parents. I loved my day with Shane and his classmates.  I can't believe he is in 1st grade already! 

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today we saw Max's face for the first time. I still remember getting the call like it was yesterday. I remember watching the email come into my inbox and will never forget the feeling when I saw his face for the first time. I knew instantly he was my son!

 

This little boy has rocked our world and our hearts!

 

He is full of life and has a joy that is infectious!

 

Max has wrapped his siblings around his finger and has opened their eyes and hearts in new ways.

 

We took a walk downtown and made a stop at our favorite cupcake shop to celebrate.

  

  The kids had fun picking out their favorite cupcakes!

   

 Max dug right in!

 

Today we celebrate a day that will forever hold a special place in our hearts, the day we saw the face of the little boy God handpicked to be our son!

Summer Lovin'

We are soaking up every ounce of summer over here. 

The kids are having a blast!  

As I downloaded these pictures I couldn't help but smile at the raw joy in their faces!

This may just be a summer to remember with how well they are getting along and having a blast together. I know there will come a day when there is a pull of other activities and the slip in slide in the back yard may not cut it.  There will be friends that will be more fun than little brothers but we will take this time and soak up every ounce! 

I love the brother to brother pep talk happening in the background!

 Max loved the end result ... water in the face!

New plans were made as they decided to try to head down backward with a little help from their siblings!

  

 Almost every picture I took when Max was on the side lines looked like this ... complete excitement as he is screaming, waving his hands and jumping up and down! This little boys knows how to embrace life with every ounce of himself!

It is amazing the joy that a little bit of water and a $5 slip and slide can bring on a hot summer day!

These were shot with my Canon 60D and my 50mm lens.

They are SOOC!

I am linking up to Stephanie's Sunday Snapshots this week.  

First Weekend Of The Season At The Lake

  

 There is nothing like experiencing the first sunset at the lake of the season.

 

The kids were excited to take in the sun, sand, water and fun at the lake.

 

Good thing Grammy has a big hammock at the lake!

 

Max and Bailey decided to be Emma's helpers on a frog hunt. They were so cute following her with their little frog cage. They didn't have any luck this time out.

 

The weekend was filled with .....the big kids tubing .....

 

the littles tubing .....

 

swimming ...

 

digging in the sand with a naked little cousin ....

 

jumping off the raft ....

 

getting up on skies for the first time ....

   

 another successful ski run by Emma ...

   

 and some slaloming by Eric!

   

 At the end of a long day at the lake there is no better place to lay your head than on papa's shoulder.

 

As the sun was setting the kids were still in the water jumping off the raft

 

and relaxing on the rafts.

 

What a great weekend at the lake. We are so thankful for an amazing place to spend time as a family, make special memories and soak up God's creation and all the blessings and fun that come with it.