Knock Down

 It's a game called "Knock Down."  I don't think I need to explain how the game works.

 There are times when the kids are doing or saying something that I don't think is ideal, so I'll let them know how I feel about it.  Sometimes their response is, "Daddy does that!"  Lovely. 

 This would be one of those games.  "Daddy plays this with us!"

Ok, go for it.  But I'm going to sound like my mom again when I say, "I told you someone was going to get hurt!"

Lovin' Fall

We're soaking up as much of this gorgeous fall weather as we can!

 Now that's a long tongue!

 We went on a leaf hunt when the trees were just starting to lose their leaves, and this boy has been intrigued with leaves ever since.

Last Pumpkin Patch

We squeezed in our last pumpkin patch of the season last weekend.

 

 

This slide was a bit too much for her. 

Too bad I didn't get a good picture of her face when she came down!

 

We decided we need one of these swings at our house!

 riding out to the patch

The obstacle course was a bit of a challenge but he attempted it.

 

 

Mara decided she was riding much higher than when she's on Clara, Grandma's pony.

 

 

Baby Toys

I would have pulled the baby toys out sooner if I would have known it would entertain them for 45 minutes! 

 

Now they're just anxious for Maisy to actually hold on to one!

Frozen Date Night

Mara and Lance had a "Frozen" date night at Chick-fil-A.

This girl got dressed up in her new Elsa and Anna shirt and skirt and waited patiently at the door for her uncle D and cousin E to pick them up. 

This boy cried.  And cried.  So what's a mom to do?  Pack up and take him on a date.  We enjoyed dinner and shopping.

Uncle T and cousin H joined the rest of the gang at the restaurant.

Apparently the cow was quite entertaining.  This was Mara's favorite part of the evening.

Elsa and Anna visited the girls.  Cousin E appears to be quite mesmerized by the lovely ladies.  Mara's attention is where it always is, THE FOOD.  If you know her at all, this picture shouldn't surprise you.  Lance took a couple while the ladies were at their table, and Mara is eating in every single one. 

Once her food was gone, she did decide to interact a bit.

 

 

She even came home with her hair styled just like Elsa's.  She came home carrying a big "wheat" sugar cookie that she gladly gave to her brother.  Her attitude about food restrictions still amazes me. 

 

It was a pretty special night!

 

 

 

 

Maisy - 2 months

Maisy is 2 months old and changing like crazy!  She is smiling and talking more and more.  I had forgotten how much this warms my heart.  She weighed 11 pounds, 4 ounces and is in the 50th percentile for weight and height  The other two kids weren't off the charts for height until after they turned 1, so we'll have to wait and see if she'll follow in their footsteps. 

She has slept through the night 3 times in the last week.  Hopefully this pattern continues!

 Big brother loves to play tractors with her.  Sometimes the tractors get a bit too close.

Mara is just thrilled when she smiles and talks back to her.  She gets so excited when she thinks she hears her say a real word.  It's super hard for a big sister to patiently wait for her little sister to join her in play time activities.

Oh Maisy Marie, we just LOVE you to pieces!  No one can seem to get enough of you around here.  I love to watch you grow and change right in front of me every single day.  I am so blessed to be your Momma!

My Birthday

My birthday ended up to be MUCH better than Lance's.  Lance and the kids cooked up this delicious breakfast for me along with a gift card for a massage.  It was thoughtful and just perfect.

We headed to a park in the afternoon.  Growing up we visited this park at least once a year.  It's beautiful in the fall. 

 Lance packed our picnic supper.  The kids helped him make me birthday cupcakes which we enjoyed on our picnic. 

 The kids were quite entertained with nature for a couple hours.  Skipping rocks is pretty fun.

 Watching Daddy show off is even more fun!

 Maisy and I couldn't keep up.

 They couldn't convince him to jump.

The kids didn't want to leave.  You can see that it was getting pretty dark! 

Thanks, family, for a very special birthday!