Carmel Apples and Photo Shoot

So the other day I decided to be all festive and make carmel apples. I have never made them before and it was actually really easy and really fun! I think this will be one of our new traditions from now on. Kevin doesn't have any complaints about that either
Below are a few pictures that we took on Sunday. We got home from church and decided that the kids looked so cute that we needed to take some pictures of them. I must say that for people who have pretty much no clue as to what they are doing, they turned out really cute! Getting Janey to cooperate was a whole other story until she realized that she got to hold Russell and was going to be the center of attention for awhile:)

Pumpkin Patch

A couple of weekends ago we went with my brother Michael and his family to a Pumpkin Patch down by Olympia. We went last year as well and it was so much fun! They have a little hay maze for the kids and a big slide for them to go down. Then we got on a little tractor ride to go out into the field to get our pumpkins. It made me feel very festive and ready for the fall! It was incredible seeing all of the pumpkins...very pretty.

Janey and I picking out a pumpkin

Janey being silly in the hay maze...she sure had fun this year!

More Pictures

T The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. This is where

Somewhere in Time was filmed.
Looking out of Fort Mackinac
Janey and her cousin Greta
Going out for ice cream...check out all those kids!
One of Russells first real smiles..too cute!!

This is where Kevin grew up, it was so beautiful.

Janey posing in front of the barn where Kevin lived

The Beach in Holland Michigan

Janey taking phone messages :)

Mackinac Island...such and amazing place

Michigan

So we recently returned from our latest adventure to Michigan. I must say that it was one of my most favorite trips ever! I realized on the trip that it was the first one that we have taken as just a family. It was so nice not having to worry about what other people wanted to do and just be able to do what we wanted. It also helped a ton that the kids were incredible the whole entire time!!
The first night we flew in we stayed at Kevins sisters house. It was fun to see her and her 6 kids (all age 9 and under...crazy I know!) In her behalf though...the youngest two are twins. Janey had tons of fun playing with her cousin. All they did the whole time was run around the house chasing each other squealing and poking each other in the belly button. It was very cute.
The next day we went to Grandville where Kevin grew up. It was his 10 year high school reunion. It was wonderful to finally see where he grew up and meet his friends. The people that we stayed with had a nice outdoor pool that was bathtub water temperature, it was so heavenly.
The next day we drove to Mackinaw City and then went to Mackinac Island (it is where Somewhere in Time was filmed) For those of you who haven't seen that movie you must go get it now! It was so beautiful. They don't allow cars on the island so we just walked around. Others use bikes and horses...it felt like we were back in time and Janey loved seeing the horses. It was pretty cold but well worth it. We also bought some Mackinac fudge. Apparently Mackinac Island is famous for there fudge, I didn't know that before but it really is amazing!
We ended the last 2 days with Kevins sister again. We went to a really fun Cider Mill and to a Bounce Zone. It was a wonderful trip....we came home with lots of good memories, and colds :) Thanks Kerrie for your hospitality!

Random Things

1. I found myself a personal trainer. The other day we went for a walk and Janey decided she wanted to run instead of ride in the stroller. When she got out she took off and said " Mama I fast!" She then preceeded to make me run with her and whenever I would stop to walk next to Kevin she would come and get me and yell "GO GO GO!" The sad thing is that she actually ran as fast as I do! She ended up running over a mile on that walk...I am not exaggerating!

2. I have found the joys of motherhood and 2 children! It is so much fun and yet so much work. Yesterday I changed about 5 diapers in 5 minutes (see picture of the culprits) Janey loves her baby brother and whenever he cries she thinks I need to hold him, and if he is not in the room with us she wanders around saying "baby baby" over and over until we go and get him. It is so adorable seeing them together and how much they love each other.

3. Janey learns a new word or phrase every day. Today she looked out the window while eating lunch and said "raining" I think that is a sign of what I will be hearing a lot of for the rest of the winter!

4. Russell is getting bigger and bigger everyday. It's sad that he is already almost out of the newborn phase, but he is still the cuddliest and sweetest baby ever. He rarely cries, he just grunts...He is an amazing baby!

5. I am putting some pictures on of when Russell was born...I know I'm a little slow but thats okay. And yes that is a pink binky in my little boys mouth...it was the only one we had that day so give me a break :)

Happy Birthday to me (yesterday)

So I am not posting about my birthday so that you all know when it is...rather I am posting it to thank Kevin for a wonderful day!
Of course the first part of the day was quite usual...but Janey was especially good for me. She let me sleep in and was just the most entertaining and fun child all day long! After Kevin got home from work we dropped Janey off at a friends house so that we could go have dinner at the Keg...yum yum (thanks Crystal for introducing us) Afterwards we went shopping, Kevin wanted to get me a skirt but I didnt find anything that I liked. It was still fun though shopping as long as I wanted and not worrying about Janey running around. After we got home we had strawberry shortcake for desert and Kevin indulged me by watching a chick flick with me :) It was a wonderful day...nothing too big and exciting, but it was perfect!! Thank you Kevin for a wonderful birthday.