A Trip To An Apple Orchard

Olivia's 3 year old class had an opportunity to visit an apple orchard.  Dennis had planned on taking her but an unexpected funeral put Mommy in the chaperone seat.  The boys stayed at the house with Mitzi Cook (the same loving woman who watched Olivia and Ethan while Isaac was being safely brought into this world).  The day was cold, but the memories will last us a long time.

At the doughnut counter.

A hayride with a "Thomas" tractor. 

Olivia and Miss Jenny.

On the hayride.

Doughnuts and fresh apple cider.

Isaac is 6 Months!

Isaac and Bearome.

 Everyone is growing up so quickly.  Ethan will soon be two, Isaac is already half a year, and Olivia is four months away from being four.  We are truly blessed to have such neat kids at such active ages.  Our lives are certainly not dull.

A Practical Joke

In our family Dennis is the practical joker.  But I got him pretty good a few days ago.  I was driving home when I saw two wooden "working in the garden people" next to a house's trash bin.  I couldn't resist.  I threw them in the minivan and drove home.  That evening while Dennis was giving the kids their bath I planted them near the garden. 

The next morning God blessed us with a foggy dreary day.  When I looked out at the garden it was hard for me to keep my composure as I announced, "Hey, Dennis!  I think someone is in our garden!"  My slightly alarmed husband joined me in an amused laugh.

"Hey, Dennis!"

"I think someone is in our garden."

Bottoms Up!

We were playing in the basement when I snapped this photo of my two boys.

A monkey bottom and a tiger bottom.

My little doodlebugs.

Isaac is 5 months old!

Isaac and Bearome 5 months.

Isaac, Olivia and Ethan

Isaac is growing like a weed and we continue to enjoy his company.  He remains a good eater and a good sleeper.  He is a wonderful addition to our family.

Labor Day Weekend 2013

What started as a small idea between two cousins on the Fourth of July, took root and blossomed into a 20 person Family Reunion over Labor Day Weekend.  Oh, what a little planning and dreaming can accomplish.

A full table

The Official Family Photo

Well, of course there was a schedule...we're not barbarians.

Camp Arcadia

4/5 of our family vacationed at Camp Arcadia, August 17-23.  We had a fantastic time.  Dennis was on his own in adventure in the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota.  The kids and I kicked back and relaxed on the shores of Lake Michigan.  I first learned about Camp Arcadia while working at Camp Pioneer in Angola, New York.  Both are Lutheran camps, but Arcadia is strictly a family camp while Pioneer dabbles in a variety of camping experiences.  People who visit Camp Arcadia have only wonderful things to say about their time.  I admit, I am sold on the place.  If you ever want to hear an enthusiastic explanation of Camp Arcadia, you know who to ask.  This lady.  Satisfied camper.

Lake Michigan

Nana's Room in the Inn

A small slice of heaven

Chilling

A resting camper

Picnic on the plaza

Chapel on the Lake

All aboard explorers

Swinging

Sliding with a new friend

Painting rocks in the craft shop

Nana and Isaac

Goofy kids

We shall return next summer for another week of fun.  The viewer is lucky that this blogger's camera ran out battery power three days into our trip.  I would have plastered this post with pics, alas, twelve will have to suffice.  Come back thee, to RKD.