Fall 2009

Pre-warning: This is a long post!

A few things to share...

Things are still pretty busy around here. James is well into his last semester (cross your fingers) with a full load of 18 hours and an internship. I don't know how he does it! Graduation is fast approaching! James wants to go to Aruba in December to celebrate before he starts a job, but I'm still working on scheduling that in with Aden's birthday, Christmas, and graduation.

James and I are going to leave for NYC on Thursday and have 4 whole nights to ourselves! We'll have lots to see and do, although I haven't come up with official *plans* yet. It's been almost 5 years since my last visit to the city, so I'm slightly rusty on where to go. Whatever we do, I'm sure we'll have a great time.

We met with Jessica Meinardus Sunday to do our fall family pictures and I think she did a fabulous job! We first went to her new property in Alma to do some field/barn shots and then on to downtown Alma. She already had our preview up yesterday (see below). I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures! Check out her work over @ www.meinardusphotography.blogspot.com.






I'm completely obsessed with ETSY! I bought this dress for A from momi boutique. It is a reverse knot dress and ties in the back. She has the cutest handmade dresses and outfits! Check out her etsy store at www.momiboutique.etsy.com.






I also LOVE the new Matilda Jane line. This is one of the dresses we ordered at the trunk show.






We went to *Touch-A-Truck* at Chick-fil-A on Saturday. The kids were able to see all kinds of trucks, sound the horns and siren, and get inside of the vehicles. It was a pretty cool little event, especially considering that it was free. Aden was a little scared by all of the noise and poor Ava was terrified at times, but a good time all in all.

James and baby Ava


Family pic in front of the Jody's Wrecker Truck


A dump truck


And cement truck


And a school bus. I actually convinced Aden to go inside of the bus. We sat on a bench and the bus driver sang *Wheels on the Bus* with him. He also got a *good rider* sticker with a bus on it.



Getting ready for Halloween? I found this super cute lady bug costume at TJ Maxx for Ava. It is a size 2T, but it will work fine when secured in the back (which will be covered by the wings). I have yet to get Aden a costume... Aden and I went to Target on Saturday, but they were wiped out. Looks like we'll be ordering something online. Oh well, it's a lot more convenient anyway.


Aden's been doing well so far with full-time preschool. He's learning so much! He knows the alphabet; has been working on letters, sounds, and words; can say the pledge of allegiance; and can sing "My Country Tis of Thee". I cannot believe he will be 3 in a few months! Every month, Montessori posts a monthly photo album for his class. Here he is doing some of his *works* at school:



Supporting our Hogs!
(Although I must say that I'm still pretty upset over the game this past weekend)

Aden giving his usual cheesy smile!


I'm loving the enormus bows and flowers. Can you tell?


And we went to the Wild Things Farm Fall Festival... We visited the animals, had Bedford's take a fall family picture, and we each picked out a little mini pumpkin to take home with us.