pickin' apples with grandpa and grandma

We were able to squeeze a quick trip to the apple orchard in when Grandpa and Grandma were here a few weeks ago. We went to the same place as last year, and were excited to find that the Honeycrisps were ready to pick, and the trees were absolutely loaded with beautiful apples. We were able to fill our baskets to the top in no time at all. The kids also got to play on the big pile of hay bales and go for a hayride around the orchard, all of which is so much more fun when Grandpa and Grandma are there- we're so glad they were able to join us this year, and hope we can make it an annual event!

Grandpa helping to select just the right apples

Proud of their harvest

Mom finally got in on a picture just to prove she was there!

Happy apple pickers!

We love Grandpa and Grandma!

jolink/hammink/vanderstoep weekend

Every year my dad's side of the family (at least as many as we can convince to join us) gets together in the Minneapolis area for a weekend of fun, which typically revolves around a Twins game and a get-together at someones house for some good drinks, great food, and fantastic conversation. This year we gathered at Cousin Sue's house on Friday night, and then met again for the game on Saturday afternoon. Jackson and Olivia even got to go to the game, and they had a great time. I look forward to this weekend each year because it gives me an opportunity to catch up with some special people that I don't get to see as often as I'd like...I always vow to do a better job of keeping in touch, but somehow time just gets away from me, and before I know it, we're planning another September get-together! Regardless, I truly treasure these family relationships and the fun times we get to spend together- thanks to everyone who helps to pull this together ever year!

Aunt Sandy, Great Aunt Alice and Jackson

having some fun with the cards at Sue's house

Terry, Alice and Dad

A first for Jackson and Olivia...TAILGATING! (Olivia loved the grilled corn!)

Olivia hitching a ride into the Dome with Grandma

Jackson helping out at the after-game tailgating bash

Luck and Karen and the girls were at the same

game so they joined us afterwards for some fun

Sue and Lori

Tailgating entertainment for the younger crowd...yes,

we were the last ones in the parking lot!

fun at the park

We've had such a warm fall- warmer than most of the month of August- so we've been trying to get out and enjoy it as much as possible. These are some pictures from early September when we hit one of the local parks before the Vikings (and the Patriots) opened their season (note the kids in their #1 team's colors!). We've got several parks within walking distance of our house...the kids have wisely named this one the "Red Park".

Olivia is FEARLESS on the playground equipment...she will climb up anything, slide down everything, and leap across any expanse of open space. And she's pretty good at all of the above, so I don't have to hold my breath while she's at it. Jackson is getting MUCH better at navigating the equipment- he's really good at going UP, OK at getting down, and has no concept of the "10 foot drop", so I do find myself hovering around those open spaces to make sure he doesn't plant himself unknowingly into the dirt! He's normally pretty cautious so it's not a huge concern, but he is a boy and you just never know when curiosity will get the best of him!

back to school

Jackson and Olivia are back in preschool this year- two afternoons a week for Olivia and three afternoons for Jackson. They're at the same school as last year, and have one of the same teachers and the same aide, which we're all really happy about. Not only do we really like Miss Margie and Miss Sarah, I think it made for a painless "re-entry" into the school routine. Familiar faces make everything better! And their new teacher, Miss Deb, seems like she's going to be great. We're looking forward to a fun year!

Ready to go!

Daddy was home for the big day this year!

Couldn't wait to get in the door...

...and down the hall!

Finally a pic with mom after a fun first day!

back at it

So after taking nearly the equivalent of a full term pregnancy off, I am getting back on the blog-wagon. I would love to go back and post about all of the fun stuff we've done since January, but I'm just going to skip ahead to September. It seems like a good place to start again...new school year, new football season...new blogging habits. Here we go.

cousin emily

Jackson and Olivia's cousin Emily from Cape Cod visited us the week after Christmas, and we had a TON of fun! We only get to see her a few times a year, so when we're together, it's really special for all of us. Here are some of the fun things we did while she was here...

We decided to stay home for New Year's Eve, so Emily and I spent some time looking through cookbooks to find recipes that we could make together for our "party". She picked out a couple and I picked out a couple, and we got to work that afternoon. Of course Princess Chef Olivia had to get in on the action, so here's a picture of the two of them together. We had a lot of fun making Tortilla Rollups, Fiesta Black Bean Dip, Marinated Tortellini, and best of all...Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Peanut Butter Pie! The food turned out great, and Emily, Steve and I all made it to midnight to toast with our champagne and sparkling cider. Steve and I also taught Em how to play cribbage, and she went to bed UNDEFEATED. Our cribbage games carried on over the next few days, and it wasn't until her last night here that she finally lost a game (she must have had a great teacher!).

Chef Princess Olivia and Chef Emily, ready to cook.

We had a couple of nice(ish) days while she was here, so we bundled up and went sledding in the backyard. I was more than happy to loan her my snow pants so that I had a good reason to stay off the hill and off the sleds! She was great with the kids, helping them up the hill and then taking care of them on the way down. I'm starting to think that having a 12 year old around would be really nice!

The 3 McMousketeers...ready for some hot chocolate!

On Friday afternoon, we braved the crowds and headed to the Mall of America for some fun. Olivia had received an American Girl Store gift card for Christmas from Emily and her parents, so we wanted her to help pick out the treasure for Bitty Baby Bella. Plus, Emily and I REALLY like to go on rides together. We had lunch first, and then stood in line for about 20 minutes per ride...good to let the stomach settle, I guess! We went on the 2 craziest rides we could find, and I'm proud to say we thoroughly enjoyed both. Steve and Em also took the kids on a couple of rides- this was actually the first time they've gone on any rides there. We've been there many times, but we always just walk around the park and look at everything- they've been perfectly content to do so. I'm guessing my inexpensive trips to Nick Universe are over!

Jackson and Olivia loved sharing their favorite MOA spots with Emily.

As you can probably tell from the pictures, Jackson and Olivia absolutely adore their cousin Emily (as do Steve and I, of course!). We talked about another visit this summer, and we're going to try to convince her mom and dad to come along this time! Thanks for all of your help while you were here, Emily- we had so much fun and we can't wait to do it again!

christmas fun

We had a wonderful Christmas season this year, from our own family celebration to spending time with my family, to having our niece Emily visit. Since we went down to Edgerton on the Monday before Christmas, we decided to celebrate at home the weekend before. The kids are finally old enough to really get into the spirit, so it was fun to start some new traditions with them, as well as continue some of the old ones. Then we were off to my parents to spend some time with my family. Jill, Cody and Drake made the drive from Colorado, and Niki and Rob flew in from Oregon. As always, it was great for all of us to be in the same place at the same time- wish we could do it more often! Here are some highlights from the week...

The whole VanClan...not bad for a timer photo!

A Thomas sweatshirt...cool! Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!

Olivia loves Baby Drake!

Lotsa love between these two...most of the time.

Playing Cootie with Uncle Rob...and loving it!