Swinging - A Group Activity

I guess we have proven that the swing set is pretty sturdy. 

A Beautiful Fall Day in the Backyard

The boys playing in the backyard this weekend while I worked on my manual photography skills. 

Playing with Logan

Our friends Rhea and Logan came over this week to play. Logan will be a year old next month and we took a few pictures for his birthday party and invitations. The boys played very well together. Very soon Logan will be walking which I think will only improve how well they play together. 

Trucks Make Me Sleepy

Nick fell asleep in the car last week, and I just thought it was so cute - with his hands in his lap and sitting straight up.

Pony Rides

Last weekend, at the apple orchard, they had some ponies available for rides. The boys enjoyed petting the extra ponies while waiting their turn. 

Ben rode all by himself and did very good.

It was Nick's first time riding a pony. He was ok with it at first, but wasn't as happy toward the end. 

A Trip To the Apple Orchard

As the yearly tradition goes, we headed to the apple orchard again this year. We went with our neighbors who have three kids, referred to as 'The Kids' by Ben. Their son, Little Ben, is six months older than Nick. We started with some scrum-del-icious doughnuts and cider before heading out to the orchard. 

So, with all the crazy weather we had in the spring, a lot of orchards in Michigan lost their apples this year. Well, basic economics, when the supply is short, the price goes up. So we decided not to pick any apples this year because they seemed kind of expensive. Instead we just took a walk through the orchard and took a few pictures. 

I will say that the trees at McQueen's did not suffer this year! They were all bursting with apples!

Nick was fascinated. I think it was because he figured out he could pluck an apple off the tree and then throw it. It was like a million hand sized balls to throw everywhere! 

 The kids had a good time running through the orchard. Candi and I let the dads handle child wrangling this time ;) 

A 'New' Backpack

Yesterday Adam went downstairs and dug out his old backpack so Ben could carry his 'paperwork', crayons and pencils around. He has taken it everywhere this weekend, including church. He is sooooo proud of it. Never mind that it is as big as he is.

Are You Comfy??

Ben's makeshift chair/recliner/couch using the footstool and bean bag. It's a great face he's making, too.

Driveway Playtime

The boys playing in the front yard today. Just a nice, quiet night - finally!

Driving Lessons

Adam gave Ben some driving lessons on Dziadziu's lawnmower. They did at least two or three loops around the yard.

Well, Nick wasn't too happy when he saw Ben riding the lawn mower, so then he had to have a turn.

Future Firefighters of America

Meredith has a very nice display of their fire fighting memories and Smoky the Bear. Well, the second the kids saw the fire fighter hats, they were sold that Meredith has the coolest house ever. They all took turns trying on the helmets and pretending to put out fires.