Eat Your Heart Out

Don't carmel apples just seem so "Fallish"! I love this time of year. I had a delightful time making these and even let the kiddies sample one after lunch. This might not be the last time these are made. I only wish Ben were here to ooh & ahh over my master pieces!

Greys Lake

This evening we met up with the other "4th year Singles" and walked around Greys Lake. Besides constantly trying to get the kids out of all the bikers & runners way it was a perfect night. The weather was ideal, company fabulous, scenery lovely, and who doesn't enjoy a nice evening walk that tuckers out the kids. Thanks ladies!

This was the best one I got!

You think Natali (& Abby) were a little out numbered?

What a cute little guy!

Apple Orchard

Friday I loaded up the car and headed up to the Center Grove Apple Orchard with a groups of friends. We went last year and fell in love with the place. On any normal given day it would be the perfect place for small children to explore and play, but not for us. Poor Isaac was having, "just one of those days". And sweet little Spencer decided to be not so sweet. Thanks to dear friends we lasted for about 2 hours and managed to survive the corn pool & bouncy pillow. I could have stayed for hours but the boys had other plans. Sweet Natali had such a fun time and was such a little angel during our adventure. Overall it was nice to get out of the house, socialize, and provide some entertainment for the kids. Really...if you live here in Iowa you gotta go to this place!

This was taken on the way out and at this point there was NO WAY I was taking the boys out and trying to pose for a picture.

Thanks Natali for representing!

Spencer Eating Rice Cereal

Lately...

Three Little Monkeys on our Bed

Natali LOVES her little brother and is always asking, "can I hold him?"

Thanks to my neighbor I have been trying to learn & master

the use of this side sling...I love it!

this is more for Ben so he can see what I have been blabbing about

And we have been worshipping this little guy, although his hair is...well, we're not sure right now what to say about it...we sure do love his little mug!

Isaac

I love this little guy and I am LOVE with this picture a dear friend snapped while we were at the park yesterday. Isaac is growing up so fast. I love hearing him talk. His vocabulary has tripled this summer. He says "flash light" like daffy duck, and he melts my heart when he says, "tank you...mama." He loves to follow his big sister around and often asks for her when she is gone at preschool. He loves to read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, watch Backyardigans, and eat as much fruit as he can (not so fun for mom if you know what I mean). Love you Isaac!

Preschool

Today was Natali's first day of preschool for this year. She was so excited to start and get back with her teacher's, old friends, and make some new ones. She is a getting so big and I am already feeling anxious that next year will be the start of kindergarten.

Enjoying a meal on our "You Are Special" plate while wearing her super Natali cape. We topped of the evening playing at the park. It was a great day! Happy first day of preschool Natali!

Travel

So needless to say the 4th year of Podiatry school has given us the opportunity to do some SERIOUS traveling. Here are all the states Ben has driven through or visited, so far during his first 3 months.

BEN:

Iowa

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

Kentucky

W. Virgina

Maryland

Penn

New Jersey

Missouri

Kansas

Oklahoma

Texas

New Mexico

Arizona

Utah

California

Wyoming

Nebraska

He has done three rotations:

Allentown, PA

Scranton, PA

Fort Worth, TX

And still has three more:

Tucson, AZ

Temple, TX

Salt Lake City, UT

I don't have quiet the list that he has, but my list does include me + 3 kids:

Iowa

Nebraska

Wyoming

Utah

Arizona

Nevada

California

I am just so glad to say that we are half way through this process. Two months here & then at least we get to be together for his month in Utah. So really two more months and we are done! YIIPPPEEE!

Kid Update

Since getting back from our summer "adventure" all three little monkeys have had doctor check ups. Here are their stats.

Natali: 4 years old
Height-42 3/4 90%
Weight-44.4 92%

Isaac: 2 years old

Height-35 60%

Weight-32.2 90%

Spencer: 4 months old

Height-26 80%

Weight-16.1 75%

Farm Country

Today we went down to Thanksgiving Point to meet up and play with some friends. We started in the Farm Country. Natali and Isaac both loved all the animals...cows, pigs, goats, horses, etc. They both did the pony ride and let me just say Isaac LOVED it and was MAD when it was time to get off. We then walked over to the main building and got our free ice cream for the kids. On our way back to the car we walked through the flower gardens and Natali was in heaven. It was beautiful! Thanks for the outing Jamie & Brayden!

Kiddos with their ice cream

Isaac checking out the bunnies (man they stunk)

Brayden & Natali in Jail

Posing with the cow

Fire Truck Park

Last week we meet up with some cousins at his really cute park in Bountiful, the Fire Truck Park. We loved it!

Glitter Toes

Thanks to my darling sister-in-law Hollie we learned how to do "Glitter"toes. SO much fun...SO sparkly...SO girly! I LOVE them & so does Natali!!!

Bubba didn't get "glitter" toes, but the boy does have a nice sandal tan! (if I get the camera out he HAS to have his picture taken to)

Discovery Gateway

We went to the Discovery Gateway yesterday and OH THE FUN WE HAD!
Above: Natali playing on the giant xylophone

Isaac playing PLINKO in the ball area

Isaac shooting balls through the Beehive tubes

Isaac playing in the Lakes & River area (oh boy did he get wet)

Isaac & Charlie in the Jeep waiting for someone to pump the gas

Natali in the Construction Zone

Isaac LOVED the bird house...climbing up & down, up & down

More water with cousin Mateo

Natali & Jack giving the local news

All the kids LOVED playing with magnets

Spencer was his normal sweet self!

Oliver (above) & Natali (below) put on quiet the performance in the dress up zone

Natali getting ready to pilot the helicopter...the kids loved crawling around and exploring

Oh the fun we had! 5 hours at the Discovery Zone = One tired Mommy!