Just for Fun

Water Babies, both near 9 months of age. . .

Summer's End

Fall is officially here, so what better way to say goodbye to Summer than a trip to the much loved Spray Park down the street.  Even Caleb joined in the fun, for the first time, and was completely fearless.  So far we are 2 for 2 when it comes to our babies loving the water. And of course, pun completely intended, it wouldn't be "fall" without Mackenzie taking a fall, and sraping her knees up pretty bad minutes after our arrival (sigh).

Goodbye Summer, we enjoyed your unseasonably hot weather, swim lessons at the pool, daily visits to Nana's (most missed of all!), and trips to the Spray park.  We can't hardly wait for playing in the leaves at our friend's Connor and Peyton, making homemade chilli ,soup and apple pies, trick or treating and OSU football!  And....now that you're here, can you please bring more Fall-like weather?!

  

Apple Picking and OSU football

We love family traditions.  We hope that as our kids grow, they will look forward to the seasons changing and associating with that fun, family field trips.  Ever since Mackenzie was a baby, we have taken her apple picking to Lynd's fruit farm, see here.  Even if you are not an apple lover, I promise you will be converted.  The honey crisp apples especially are so sweet and juicy it's almost like eating candy, no joke!

Not only can you pick and taste all varieties of apples, but they have homeade icecream, hayrides, barrel rides, a fun hill for kids, and a small petting area.  We can't wait to start making our homeade apple pies and apple crisps.  This year, we are going to try making some applesauce for Caleb to enjoy and some cinnamon apples!  That is....if we have enough left.  So far, today alone, Mackenzie has eaten 3 apples within a 9 hour time period....and it's not even dinner time yet!  Better get baking!

I'm also including another favorite tradition of our family....OSU Football!  Thanks to Nana and Grandpa for watching the kids so we could tailgate and cheer on the Buckeye's in the horseshoe!  O-H!

Mmmm, Mmmmm Good. . .

Sampling some of our favorites

                             Fueling up with homemade pumpkin icecream

...even Caleb was a fan!

Playtime on the farm. . .

Packing up and headed home. . . .

....and what better snack on the way home....you guessed it!

. . . of course there's no better way to end a weekend than a Buckeye victory! 

GO BUCKS!

Shekinah Festival

My parents have begun a tradition of taking Mackenzie to an Amish festival each year, see here.  It's a good, wholesome time, totally catered to kids.  There are horse rides, barrel rides, face painting, a petting zoo, and of course, yummy food!   This year, Nana stayed home with Caleb for some cuddle time, and Grandpa and I took Mackenzie for a day of fun!  Here are some snapshots from our day!

                              hanging out with buddy Brayden, who goes with his Grandma and Grandpa each year

barrel ride buddies

                                                                say Cheeeeese!

petting the bunnies!

                                                           running off her peach, homeade icecream!

Thanks Nana and Grandpa for starting such a fun tradition, and always sharing your free time with us!  We love you bunches!

Mackenzie's 4th Bday Party

Mackenzie decided that she wanted a gymnastics party this year, after attending her friend Faith's bday earlier this Summer.  The kids got 1 1/2 hours of instructor led gymnastics (God bless the girl who led 13 excited and hyper kids).  There were obstacle courses, 2 different types of trampolines, balance beams, bars, a foam pit, and more!  They loved every second of it! 

After playing, we headed up stairs for cake and presents.  Mackenzie was not much of a fan of the singing.  (Funny, b/c last year she loved it.   Amazing how much they change from year to year).  However, she loved being surrounded by her favorite friends and family, eating cake and opening presents.  We still can't believe we have a 4 year old!  Happy Bday sweet, girl!  We are so blessed to have the priviledge of raising you!  Love ya to the moon and back!

                                        Warming up and waiting for directions

Leading the way on the obstacle course!

                                                        Down the elevated balance beam!

Over octagon mountain. . .

Even Daddy wanted to give it a whirl (luckily, Grandma signed his release form!)

the sunken trampoline....one of the favorites

                                                    waiting in line for the big trampoline

vaulting into the foam pit. . .

Weeeee!

Going through the course again...and again...and again. . .

                  Don't let Caleb fool you, he didn't just get Grandma snuggles during the party. . . .

He worked on the perfect floor routine,

practiced his balancing skills and kept his toes perfectly pointed,

and got ready for his big dismount off the beam!

He even had a little time to catch up with Owen about bottles, baby food and those darn diaper changes.

Oh, and I almost forgot his perfect 10 routine on the uneven bars. . . truly amazing!

Then we moved upstairs for some Tinkerbell cake!

Delicious, and worth the wait!

Wishing for more time on the gym floor!

...and then there were presents...enough to fill our playroom..

Happy 4th Bday, sweet girl!  You sure have a lot of people who love you!

                               Looking forward to another great year!  We love you!