this week

Here's a little glimpse into our week, as it's been quiet here while I took a little break from blogging and rested.

Pumpkin Patch 2012

My favorite time of the year is here! One of my favorite things to do in the Fall, is go to the Pumpkin Patch.  We have been going to the same, pick your own pumpkin patch, since the older kids were just little, tiny babies. I think it's worth the drive for the tradition of it alone. The kids love it, I love it! 

The past 2 years we've had friends join us. This year- I'm not gonna lie, it was a wee bit stressful for me. Seven kids will do that I guess. Six of which are running in opposing directions at once. Mostly it was Little {L} , TRYING to get lost in the corn field that bordered the pumpkin patch that had me a bit worried.  You'd think with two husbands along with us, that we were doubling the adults, so children could be more easily watches. Lesson learned, ehhh, yeah, no. It totally doesn't work that way. One husband is somewhat helpful, two makes them useless because they talk to each other the whole time, oblivious of those six children dispersing in all directions around them. All in all once all the kids finally got reeled in, pumkins were picked with care, and we had a great time. 

Some yummy apple cider, a little dancing, some hilarious {obscenely shaped} swan gourds, seven happy children, and 12 pumpkins later, made for a great afternoon

Fifteen Years

This weeks marks fifteen years together with my husband, and seven married. That's A LONG time! I met him when I was 15, so I have known him an equal time, as not known him. Next year, I'll have spent more of my life with him than without. {15 years with, 15 years without. crazy}

So much has changed for us in those fifteen years. When we met, we were just kids-high school sweethearts, naive and ready to take on the world together! I kinda feel like I grew up with Mike. All the important things I've gone through have been with him.We met in high school,  spent our college years together, started having babies, bought a house, and now we spend our time making our house a home.

There have been lots of ups & downs. Like, when we spent 2 months eating toast in college. Or,when I was raising two little one's at home, and he worked 80+ hour weeks. Only home long enough to catch a little sleep & kiss us before heading back to work. We were broke college kids together, without a car and living in crappy campus apartments with hand me down everything, and we thought we were living the life!. I look back of those days with such a sense of love & respect. We didn't have much, but we've always had each other, and that's what matters.

There have been so many great moments for us too. The day I graduated and thought, this is it. Our life together can start now. I'll never forget becoming a mother, our very first baby & looking over at his proud, smiling face. The moment he became not just a boy, but a father.  A father to OUR child. The day we purchased our home together, all giggly, excited and scared--feeling like we were officially grown ups now {which is really quite silly because we already had one child, and another one cooking}.

Most of all I enjoy the things that happen every year- Christmas morning, pumpkin picking at the patch, watching him rock my babies to sleep, the way he always tries to get out of helping plant the garden, then digs every single hole because I do it the "foolish" way. I love him quirks & all!

I can't wait to see what the next fifteen years brings for us!

Apple Picking

We were able to squeeze in a trip to an apple farm, in between colds, cranky kids & rain here. I'm so so happy we did! It will officially be added to of list of family traditions in October. The kids had a great time, we came home with more yummy apples that I know what to do with {118!} , and we spent family time together.  The day was filled with lots of giggles, smiles, and well.. apples galore. I can't believe it's taken me thirty years to go pick apples. Seriously? What did our parents do with us as kids?

On the menu this week: apple pie, apple mash, apple cobbler, some applesauce to store for the upcoming winter, and apple ice cream. {with the recipe from the Jeni's splendid ice cream book. I'll share more on that later this week}

I'm so glad to welcome October! It's one of my favorite months filled with trips to the pumpkin patch, birthdays, craft shows, crispy air and the autumn leaves blanketing everything. I'm totally a fall girl & the apple picking trip has me all excited for the following month!

Summer

A few special moments captured this summer. Enjoy your day!

Baby J

While I've been away, one sweet little baby turned one. That same little baby seems to have turned into a boy. He's walking, talking and even trying to jump! He has the sweetest soul of anyone I've ever met. He's easy going, hilarious and helpful. I couldn't ask for a better baby, ...ehh boy. Sorry that is taking some getting used to for this mama. My fourth child, my third son, my love. I'm so glad you are a part of this family. I couldn't imagine a day without you now!

happy easter

Happy Easter! I've never welcomed spring like this year. It's been a long, tough winter for us here and any hint at warmer weather...and a healthier family, is welcomed with open arms. The kids were up, had found all the baskets and eggs by 6:47! Yes, prior to 7am [gulp]. I am so not a morning person, but it was a wonderful happy [albeit early] morning for all!

Spring is Here!

What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring than a Spring Equinox Tea Party? We had so much fun over the weekend celebrating the sunny [and hopefully healthy] season ahead.

Fruit, cookies, tea, cakes and friends= the perfect combo! I spent the week leading up to the stitching the embroidered tea coasters. I think they were the perfect touch for the day, even the boys liked theirs.

I think we may have to add this to our annual events list.

9 months

You've been here 9 whole months already Binks!! [well close to 10m now, but with all the sickness cycling through the house, this is as quick as I could get these up] Everyday you grow more & more amazing. Your have beautiful grey eyes that have flecks of blue, green and brown depending on the day. I can't get enough of your little giggles, and now kisses. Yes, you are kissing us back and it's awesome! You pull yourself up on the furniture now and can get into lots of new trouble that way-like the toilet.

Nursing is still one of your favorite activities, day & night. You have four teeth now, two up and two down so we are working that out. I do love how you entwine your toes together while your eating. It's so sweet. You like some foods and have started feeding yourself finger goods [so grown up!]. You say cat, mama, dada, and squeal in delight when we clap for your talking accomplishments.

There is magic in your smile and a mischievous , adventurous twinkle in your eye. Your easy going attitude definitely helps mama out at times, although you have three siblings that couldn't adore you more.