Aidyn's Birthday

We celebrated Aidyn's birthday yesterday as a family. She picked where we went to eat (Applebees) and then we came home and she opened presents.

Nolan gave her something every princess needs, an assortment of princess shoes.

The shoes go well with the gowns she got from us. Here she is as Cinderella...

And Snow White...

And here is a new outfit complete with a winter hat. Very stylish!

Nolan agrees with the stylish part.

My little girl is 4 today...

Today is Aidyn's 4th birthday. I can't believe how fast it has gone, I still remember this day 4 years ago VERY clearly! Although it was hard for me to narrow it down, here are some of my favorite pictures of Aidyn over the past 4 years. They really do grow fast.

Scooter Girl

The scooter made its way outside today and this is how she spent her time. Riding back and forth across the driveway, smiling. That is one happy birthday girl!

Aidyn's 4th Birthday Party

This weekend we had Aidyn's birthday party for our families. Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Jerry, Grandma Janice, Grandpa Horace and Aunt Lisa were in attendance.It was a princess party for our little princess.

She was very excited to open her presents (who wouldn't be?!?!)

She got lots of adorable clothes, a really fun book...
And the one thing she wanted most...a scooter!!!

She rode that scooter around and around the house. Her left leg is getting really strong from pushing herself everywhere. And I mean everywhere...she takes it in the bathroom with her, she uses it to get from the couch to the chair and last night she parked it at the bottom of the stairs so it would be there when she got up in the morning. I think she had a good party.

Here's Nolan celebrating in his own way.

Fall Activities

My folks came down for the weekend for Aidyn's birthday party. So on Friday we went to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum http://www.arboretum.umn.edu to check out all the beautiful fall colors. They also had a really neat scarecrow exhibit on display. I think everyone enjoyed exploring the arboretum.
Mom & dad looking like newlyweds.

After we left the Arboretum we went to a local apple orchard.
The kids got a wagon ride, a ride on a trailer behind a tractor and of course, got to pick some apples.

"Hmmmm....If I tear down this sign, I can eat the apples from wherever I want!"

My birthday

Last Sunday was my birthday so Jeff and the kids made me a wonderful cake and took me out for dinner. I had a lovely birthday.

Misc. photos

My camera had been "lost" for a little while and I got it back today. Here are some misc. pictures I found on it.
Here is Aidyn on her way home from her 1st day of preschool. She looks pretty relaxed!

Here are Aidyn and some her friends at Julia's birthday party. Aidyn, Daisy, Julia, Lydia & Nolan.
Nolan enjoying the princess party!

My little fisherman

Here is one of the shots from Nolan's 18 month pictures. He's just too cute!

Wisconsin Dells

We spent this past weekend in Wisconsin Dells with our dear friends the O'Flanagans. The kids had lots of fun playing together and we had a great time catching up with Ryan & Danette. It is always so much fun seeing them!



The O'Flanagans:
Ryan, Riley, Sydney & Danette



Here is our view from the cabin we stayed in. It's overlooking the golf course on a beautiful fall evening.


The kids were pretty tired on the way home, which made for a nice, quiet ride. Thank goodness, because we were tired too!

Preschool!

Today is Aidyn's 1st day of preschool. She is very excited and has been wearing her backpack all morning. What does a 3 year old need to take in her backpack to preschool you ask? Great question...here are the contents...lip gloss, stickers, about 50 loose kleenexes, the brush for the pony hair on her backpack and an extra pair of underwear. All the essentials!
Yesterday she said she is most excited about snack time during school. Runner-up is art time, then playing outside.
I can't believe how quickly my little girl is growing up!

Overheard...

In a conversation yesterday between Aidyn and Jeff while Jeff was explaining to Aidyn why she couldn't do something because she is not the only person in this family. Her response, "But I am my own person. And it's all about me!"

Bunny Update

Well, the bunnies are gone. Aidyn and I went out to check on them on Saturday and they were gone. I guess once their eyes open up it is time to move on. As Aidyn said "It is sad and disappointing." We will miss our little bunny friends.

I just went out and checked on the bunnies to see how they fared after our big storms rolled through yesterday. I poked around at the nest and they started jumping like crazy! Their eyes are open now and they have really grown this week. Hopefully I'll be able to get a new picture of them soon.

Big Excitement!!!

We have big things going on at our house this week! We found a nest of bunnies. Actually, Bailey found the bunnies, but don't worry, all bunnies are safe and sound. They are under an evergreen tree in our backyard and they are soooo tiny and soooo cute! There are 5 of them and we have been keeping a very close eye on them. I'll keep you posted on any bunny updates, but for now here is as good of a picture as I could get of them.

The boys...