Apple Picking

Well fall has definitely come now that the weather is turning cooler and the leaves are starting to change color. We decided we should take advantage of the cooler weather and do a fall related activity. Plus, Abbey is 12 weeks now so we thought it was time to add another state to her map. So, we headed to Wisconsin to go apple picking. Here we are on the hay ride that took us out to the apple trees.

Ben jumped right in to start picking the apples. Luckily there were several he could reach.
We were also lucky we had Daddy and Cousin Cason with us to reach the ones up at the top.
Even Abbey got into the picking when she suggested this apple for Mommy to pick.

For really high apples, Ben and Daddy (or Cousin Cason) worked together to get them.
Here is the whole group enjoying the fun.
And here is our final bushel of apples! As you can see, we have a ton of apples. So, if you know of any good apple recipes, please forward them on. I plan to make apple pies, apple bread, applesauce, etc.
Whew! All that apple picking sure does make one tired.

Double Doctor Appointments

This morning we had a 2.5 year check-up for Ben and a 2 month check-up for Abbey (a little delayed since we were in FL as she is now 11 weeks). Both kids are doing great developmentally and physically. Ben weighed in at an impressive 34 pounds and 37 inches. He was in the 75th percentile for both height and weight and is now half as tall as Daddy. Abbey weighed in at a petite 10 pounds, 8 ounces and was 22 and 3/8 inches long, putting her in the 25th percentile for both height and weight. She unfortunately got 4 vaccines today and was pretty upset by the ordeal, as I knew she would be. Shots never really bothered Ben too much, but Abbey is a different story and I knew she would be upset. Hopefully the tylenol they gave her will help her throughout the day...poor baby :(

Weekend with Daddy...

Yay!! Daddy finally got to come join us in FL for the weekend and as you can see, the kids were really glad to see him. Ben especially missed Daddy a lot - once Daddy arrived he didn't let him out of his site! Daddy couldn't leave the room without Ben following him or asking him where he was going. Mommy couldn't do anything for Ben either - he requested Daddy to do everything. It was very sweet, but I hope he goes back to normal soon. Last night I was finally allowed to read him his night night story, so hopefully he is relaxing a little and realizing Daddy isn't going anywhere! Anyway, here are a few final pictures from our great trip...

Daddy catching up with his kids...

We got to celebrate Daddy and Patch's milestone birthdays together as their birthdays are only 2 days apart and both celebrating big ones this year.

The birthday boys (and Ben) ready to blow out the candles...

Then Daddy and Ben wore their new hats to show who they were routing for...
Watching the game, Madgie had to show Abbey how we cheer for a "Touchdown!!"...

Then Abbey wondered why we didn't get to practice that cheer very often...

Since we got bored (or rather disgusted) watching the game, we decided to play some other games...like horsie! Ben wanted Abbey to ride on his as a horsie, so here she goes...
Then Ben made a huge tunnel for Patch to go through. You can see Patch needed some help, so Ben is pushing on his feet to help him along...
We also got to catch up with some old friends while we were down in FL...we look forward to seeing them again over Christmas!

We had a great trip! Thanks to Madgie and Patch for having us for so long and being such a big help while we were down there. We look forward to coming again soon!

Still enjoying the beach...

Even though we have been doing a few other things while down here, we are still enjoying the beach every day too. Ben likes building walls in the sand with Madgie and Patch...

The 3 builders standing proudly in their creation...

Abbey enjoying the ocean breeze...

She finds the roar of the ocean to be very relaxing (just like her Mommy)...

Abbey has been having a great time. She has been smiling a lot lately, so I thought I would post a few cute ones I have taken this week...

What a cutie!!

Daddy comes tomorrow and we can't wait!! We have missed him so much. Stay tuned for pictures of our weekend with Daddy...

At the zoo!

Well, if you can believe it, Ben wanted to go to the zoo while we were down here. So, we spent a nice morning seeing the animals. Here are Madgie and Ben posing with the elephants...

This is how close we got to the giraffes - it was the closest I have ever been to the zoo animals. Ben thought it was pretty cool too...

Family fun at the zoo...

Ben petting the big elephant...

Abbey slept through the entire experience...

More FL fun!

We're still having fun in FL. Every morning we wake up to watch the sun rise over the ocean. The sun rises a little after 7 here and we are usually up before the sun unfortunately...ahh the joys of having two kids :)

We went to the park for a break from the beach. Ben enjoyed the slides...

And the tire swing...

Abbey really enjoyed the park...

In general, we are just having fun!

Other Fun

You may think the only thing we have done since getting here is go to the beach. While that has been the majority, we have done a few other things as well...

Ben and Madgie made Monster Cookies!

Ben built tall towers...

Abbey played in her swing...

And we of course talk to Daddy on the phone...

Life's a beach...

After our fun filled weekend, we decided to continue our fun in Florida. I took Ben and Abbey to Jacksonville to visit my parents. Pablitorun had to stay home and work (someone has to) but he will fly down next weekend. We miss him so much, so in order to keep our minds off of that, we try to keep busy with other activities...like filling up buckets with water from the ocean!



Relaxing on the beach...
Patch and Ben ready for some fun...
Abbey enjoyed resting by the pool (that's my girl)...

But she quickly decided resting on the beach in the shade would be better (that's my girl)...
Ben wanted no part of resting on the beach - why rest when there are waves to jump in?
Abbey likes the beach (for about 20 minutes anyway)...
Ben LOVES the beach (for as long as we will let him stay)...
You can see that all that playing on the beach has given Ben a nice tan. I, on the other hand, have had to stay in the shade with Abbey so I have made the ultimate sacrifice for my child...my tan!!

Fun Weekend...Part 2

On Sunday, Abigail was baptized. She slept through the whole thing, which was great!

Our happy family.

Abbey's wonderful godparents that she was blessed with...

Our families...

Again, wonderful godparents...

Whew! What an exhausting weekend! We all collapsed on the couch on Sunday night - tired, but happy that everything went so well! Thanks to everyone who traveled to be with us for this special weekend!!