School pics - Spring 2016

The kids had school pictures taken at their daycare back in the Spring. 

This is Matthew's last year at the daycare/Preschool.

He has grown so much and as much as I don't want to admit it, he is a BIG boy now. Who am I kidding?  He may be a big boy, but will always be my baby!

My handsome little preschool graduate!

He is so ready for kindergarten next month!

I'm so proud of him.

Here's my hot mess Kate!

She had only been in day care for a few weeks and was still getting use to everyone.  So, when she see's the photographer, she started crying and just did NOT want to have her picture taken.  This was the ONLY pose they could get of her.

Puffy eyes from crying, crooked chunky necklace and messy hair.

Gotta love her!

Comforted by big brother.  She looks a little better in this pic.

Can't wait to see what next year's pictures will look like for her.  Hopefully she will crack a smile. 

Getting Back Into the Groove

It's been 8 months since my last post!  Instagram has taken over as the new 'blog', but I finally decided I still needed to keep blogging to really capture our lives, for memory keeping sake.  And I figure no one is probably reading this anymore! Ha! 

Life has been busy with two kids.  Matthew is 5 1/2 and will be starting kindergarten in the Fall. (I get teary eyed just thinking about it!).  I told him I didn't want him to grow up and he responded with, 'mommy, we all have to grow up.'  Where is my baby boy?!!  He is the best Big Brother!  He loves his little sister and reluctantly shares his toys with her.  

Little Miss. Kate will be 2 next month!!  She is such a ball of joy!  She loves her big brother and prefers to do everything he does.  Kate is in the same daycare as Matthew.  She enjoys it and loves her teachers.  If there's a bow laying around, she wants it in her hair!  And her bows and chunky necklace collection has expanded, and continues to expand, much to daddy's dismay.  :)

Our lives are busy and our hearts are full.  Working and balancing family life is not easy, but we push forward. There's no greater joy than seeing your kids happy (most of the time) and healthy.  

More blog posts to come (hopefully).

Cheerios

Matthew sharing his cheerios with his little sister. 

It's moments like this when all the exhaustion of mothering is worth it.  I want my children to grow up always loving one another and sharing.  I know they will most likely enter a stage where they will be fighting and bickering all the time, but hopefully deep down inside, they will know they are always loved by each other.  

Matthew loves Kate and sometimes loves a little rough on her, but I know that he cares for her.  And Kate gets so excited when he comes home from preschool.  I pray that they will always have a special bond.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, my heart is full of so many blessings. I love these little people and want them to know that their daddy and I would do anything for them...even when the exhaustion is at an all time high!  We will always make time to fill their lives with love and joy.  Always.

Last of the Punk'ins

After the  hike at Bear's Den, we stopped at the farm market on our way home to check out the BIG pumpkins!

That cute little dog belonged to the owners of the market.  She just plopped right down with us.  

Matthew and his cousin just hanging out with one of the BIG pumpkins.

And this little pumpkin sitting with all the little baby pumpkins.  I think she was all pumpkin'd out by this point. 

Until next Fall Ya'll!!

My Happy Season

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." 

- Anne of Green Gables

We went to Bear's Den last month to enjoy another beautiful Fall day.  It was absolutely beautiful and just a perfect day.  

Fall is  my happy season.  

It makes me grateful for God's creations.  It renews my spirit and fills me with so much joy.  

And I'm always thankful for my husband who loves me and is always along for the ride (he could care less about fall foliage, but he rolls with it for me).  

Hiking with a 25 lb toddler strapped to you isn't easy.  And I use the term 'hiking' loosely. 

Selfie with Matthew and my nieces. 

The view was amazing.

I love spending these fall days with my family.

Soaking it all in before old man winter comes. 

Pumpkin Patching

Is she not the cutest pumpkin in the patch??!

The pumpkin patch...it never gets old. 

I love watching the kids play and pet animals.  

The day was just perfect with my littles and their daddy.

Apples Ya'll

Our annual Apple picking at Marker Miller Orchards. One of my favorite fall activities. The kids had fun and we all enjoyed partaking of the apple cider donuts!

We picked our usual Fuji and Granny Smith apples.  So far, we have made caramel apples and apple dip.  Oh the sweetness of Fall  ya'll!