Post Family Farm

We picked a perfect day to head to Post Family Farm because the weather was B-E-A-utiful! The downfall being that Austin is starting to come down with a cold and his cough towards the end was nonstop. That didn't stop us from making sure to see and do everything they had to offer.

First stop, the goats.

 I think Austin would try to sneak one home if he could.

 Everyone watches as we put our treats in the can for the goats up high.

 A goats gotta eat too!

 Austin talked about riding the camel the whole way there, but he settled for a nay-nay.

 This is what it looks like when you try to get 4 children under the age of 3 to sit together and take a photo.  Notice the death grips on the youngest two so that they would stay in the frame.

Using the water pumps to pump duckies up and down the pipes. Maybe we should make one for the backyard. It was the most entertaining thing for the toddlers...on the whole farm!

 Uncle Dann sure knows how to rock the Baby Bjorn. Gracie just loved it!

 She also loved that Ava was feeding her pieces of donut!

 Oh Ava......where are you!?

No Ava, you can not eat the pumpkin!

 Sure enough, where did I find her next? Mouth.On.Pumpkin!

Cutest pumpkin sure is Ava! I want a pair of those leggings....maybe

Next Up: Time to get to carving these babies! Pumpkins of course. Whenever Kate can come over and help us...hint hint....

Summer Bucket List 2013 in Action

1. Splash pad in Jenison
Next year- I bet they will BOTH be running around in the water!

2. Meijer Garden Splash Pad
Never made it (sad face). We have been there before but it's fun to visit again each year. We'll tack it on to next year's list.

3. Go Up to the Cabin
Despite the rainy weather, we made great memories. Austin talks about the cabin ALL the time. It helps that I put big beautiful photos of the cabin in our main bathroom.

4. Cone World- Ice Cream

 I don't think anyone got to eat the ice cream that they ordered because Austin and Ava wanted what everyone else got. I remember going here many times as a kid and walking over the bridge to watch the cars go underneath. Some kids apparently ruined that by throwing things at the cars but it was still fun to visit a place that makes me remember the good ole' days.

5. Sunny 4th of July Family Fun @ The Rogers
It was beyond just sunny. It was Perfect! beautiful weather, surrounded by great family, awesome food, and it was a success as our first time hosting a family gathering

6. Heritage Park- Feed the Ducks
Perfect park to feed the ducks and then go play on the playground. So much so that we went two days in a row since the first day I was a dummy and forgot my camera.

7. Craigs Cruisers
This is another missed item. Kate says we can put it on our Fall Bucket List if we get around to making one. Or maybe we can just make sure to hit it up before the nasty white stuff hits the ground.

8. Austin & Gpa Fishing @ The Rogers
This was a two for one since we accomplished this on the 4th of July. But it wasn't the last time. They have fished many of times on the lake but never felt like such a successful day as it was on Independence Day.

9. Water Ballon Fight
Grandma is pretty much a genius. This was a blast and not something you'd always be prepared for. Who wouldn't want to wake up from a nap and have a water balloon fight!? This picture makes me a little sad because my parents are selling their home. I grew up there and have more than plenty of memories but I am also happy that they will be living a mile away. Most people say to me...'They weren't close enough?' and the answer is 'No!'.

 10. Bike Ride on Kent Trails
This one was easily missed. Neither of the kiddos have quote unquote big kid bikes yet. We are hoping to get Austin one for his birthday this year. Neither of the kids have ever enjoyed riding in the bike wagon thingy. Austin made it in there about a handful of times and never lasted more than 5 minutes. Ava only sat in it for stroller rides since it can be made into a push stroller.

11. Make Strawberry Jam
I don't remember the last time we DIDN'T make strawberry jam. We make it every year...almost every year. It's quite a chaotic experience because my brother, Mom, and I are always making too many batches at once. This may have been  just too crazy trying to make it with the kids. Next year....

12. Tie Dye Shirts
Where was my iphone this day? Or Camera? I am sure someone has a photo somewhere....We ended up making these on Labor Day. We made shirts for Ava, Austin, Jarred, Jaqueline, Grace, and baby Witte (My neighbor and co-worker who is due in November). They turned out adorable. Austin's is too big but he wore it for two days straight.

13. Farmer's market
I took the kids to the Byron Center Farmer's Market. I didn't take a picture because it took us all of two seconds to make the rounds. I thought it would be bigger. I bought some cherries which were perfect for eating on the beach since they were so juicy and required the kids to be in bathing suits to eat them. I didn't take the kids to the downtown farmer's market yet but hope to next year. There is also a new market downtown  we could visit someday as well.

14. Play with Jackie & Grace
It was a beautiful day for Jackie and Grace to come over. They always have so much fun together which makes family gatherings that much more entertaining for the adults.

15. Take Austin to the Movies
We saw Monster's University. Austin did pretty good for his first movie. He was a little antsy but thankfully we had popcorn to keep him entertained. I am sure this one can continue on to the Winter Bucket List.

16. Frog Hollows Park
I think we took the kiddos there 3 or 4 times this summer. There isn't too much wind there so I learned to go super early or on a cooler day. Lots to play with though and really close by. I'll have to remember this park for the future since they have a nice picnic area that is shaded. Won't be able to have birthday parties there since Austin and Ava are both in late fall or winter......another celebration of some sort maybe.

17. Go to the Zoo
I was very proud of Austin for riding the camel this year. He talked about it for days/weeks before AND after. I was also lucky enough to go again later that year with both kids for school. This can easily be on every summer's bucket list.

That's the end. We did 13/17 items. It made summer more fun and gave us lots to do. Props to one of my bestie's Lindsey for giving us the idea. Everyone should have one of these lists for the summer.

Where Have I Been?

Sad to see the summer go and the fall weather come so quickly! The last three weeks Jason was gone for army training and one of those weeks my parents were gone to visit family....needless to say, that was a blur! I stayed as busy as possible visiting friends and getting out of the house with the kiddos. I don't even remember the last time I blogged but I know it seems like forever ago. I know that I won't be able to blog much these next 5 weeks because my photography hobby is keeping me super swamped with newborns and family photos. Fall will be beautiful and everyone is taking the opportunity to get family pics.

On this particular morning, Austin and Ava were helping me strip the beds for laundry day. I ran downstairs to grab my camera but mainly just sat back and watched them jump around. It seems like the majority of time these kiddos are together I am telling them to stay away from each other. Meaning.....don't touch one another, leave Austin/Ava alone, don't pinch, don't yell, don't hurt each other, stop wrestling, no kicking, stop biting, and it goes on and on. BUT when they have moments like these, it's a mother's dream. Nothing but big time laughs and giggles.

Superman was too fast for me to grab photos of

 It's rare Ava has her hair all the way down these days. Pigtails are so easy and keep her looking cute and babyish, as I wish I could keep her that way forever!

 They grabbed each other's hands and jumped around together. The laugher was completely priceless.

This was the morning that Austin woke me up before 6 am because the door to his bedroom wasn't shut all the way. Our kiddos have never slept in our bed overnight. This one time at the cabin Ava slept with Grandma and Grandpa and Austin slept with me and Jason. Needless to say I got zero sleep that night....ok maybe three minutes. So that back story was to say that as I grabbed Austin to sleep in with me, he had no clue that we were meant to sleep. He rolled around and chased Lily around on the bed and didn't even shut his eyes.

This was also the day that Ava decided that nap time was a no-go. Eventually Grandma rocked with her in her bedroom and they both took a little cat nap. She's certainly stubborn at times. This is when my Mom would say "The nut doesn't fall far from the tree."

This was the day Jason got home from his three weeks. I was exhausted and was trying to rip out my hair by 9:30am. I think we were in bed by 9pm that night.

Thankful Jason is home.......thankful my parents live close......thankful for these moments that my children are best friends.......

'Shower' Themed Baby Shower

I loved the idea of a shower themed baby shower! Umbrellas, rubber ducks, rain boots, and clouds.....the ideas are endless.

So this first picture has nothing to do with the theme of the baby shower and everything to do with the baby's bedding from Land of Nod which is sooooo adorable! it's way better in my opinion than a cloud or an umbrella on a sign!

 ok back to the theme....I am a huge fan of Etsy! Have a theme in mind for a shower? Just hit up Etsy and type in your heart's desire....you will find exactly what you are looking for or someone willing to make it for you!

After the invite was purchased, the favors were made. Nothing like tying it all together with matching polka dots.

 A few clouds in ombre hanging from the chandelier

 A pennant banner is a must for the mantle

 And decorations for each end.......

 Gifts to match for the mama-to-be

 Flowers in rain boots was a co-workers idea and it is just adorable!

 Now on to the drinks and candy/junk food/snacks

It wouldn't be a party without paper straws! I would have ordered these from Etsy if I would have had time but I found these ones at Hobby Lobby

Easy to find candy to match any party at Party City

My brother makes awesome popcorn and it was a huge hit! Easy to eat while watching someone open up gifts or carry around the house chatting away

Cute rubber duckie cookies! They taste as good as they look!

I love getting cupcakes for parties. These also taste as good as they look. Thanks to Cupcake Tree Bake Shop. That girl knows what she is doing. I just give her my theme and she runs with it. My favorite is when she drops them off. I can't WAIT to peek inside and see what she made!

They were amazing and adorable!

Oh and how did I forget? I had to have some type of game to go along with the shower. What's easier than the 'Pick a Duckie' game? I numbered the bottoms and let the Mama-to-be pick random numbers. Easy as pie!

And that's all until the next party.......which is likely a construction themed 3 year old's birthday party come November! I better get started!