Happy Jacks Apple Orchard

As soon as September hits we start to think back to school, fall, cold and of course Apple orchards and pumpkin patches. We all love this time of year, the crisp fresh air, fires and roasting marshmellows, pumkins, parades and much more. I just love fall and all that it brings. Driving out to Delano you get to see so many beautiful changing trees and hills. You get to enjoy yummy apple spiced donuts and fresh apple cider. Rides, apples, pumpkins and more. I love being able to make these traditions with our family and friends.

Take me out to the Ball Game...

It's an AWESOME Field

Just Kicking back!

They had games outside..the kids each won a Twins Flag

We finally got to attend a Baseball Game at our new outdoor stadium! It was Amazing. It was such a beautiful day out and there was so much to take in. We all had so much fun being outside watching baseball and eating some great treats!

Bella Turns 5...MOA Friend get together!

As usual it seems that we do lots of different things for the kids birthdays. This year we were very fortunate to have stacks of free coupons for the kids to ride all the rides at MOA. And it was a ton of fun. I love the rides just as much as the kids do so I was excited! Bella loved that all of her friends were able to come and join in the fun! We had a great day and thanks to all that came and helped make our day even more enjoyable~

My Little Girl is 5!

Mermaid Barbie

Makeup and lots of Girly things

Barbies

Fire works YES

I some times sit and think where does time go?? Ok I think it a lot. I can't Believe the Bella is 5 already. I have to admit this has been a stressful thing for me. Not because I am getting older or that time passes to quickly, it's been the school things...will she like it? What if she doesn't? How will it be with her gone so much? What if she gets made fun of? Or if her teachers mean etc? It has been killing me. I have lost many night sleep over this. I know deep down everything will be just fine but I just sit and still wonder where 5 years has gone to?

So I have decided that we or maybe "I" love holidays and special events especially now with kids. So I feel like everyone of these there is at least 2-3 get togethers. So I will blog all of her fun Birthday get togethers but I thought I would share a few things about Bella in this one.

Bella weighs 30lbs (yes her younger brother weighs more):)

Loves Art..and anything that has to do with it.

Glitter, Markers, Paint etc. She eats sleeps and breaths coloring some days.

She is smiling almost all of the time

Is a Huge helper with Parker and Alex

Loves to make her bed

She loves reading

Playing outside, with friends and with her brothers

She is starting to eat more things

She can't wait for school

And is such a Joy in our lives. We couldn't imagine life with out her.

Happy Birthday Bella we love you!

National Night Out Day...

Today is officially our National Night/Day to be out in our community, neighborhood etc. They actually changed the name this year though..It's night to Unite. But they have fun things planned all over the place. My Neighbor and I planned a party in our neighborhood but it wasn't until dinner time so John took the day off and we ventured out to have some fun. They had little booths set up for face painting, hair coloring, games, treats and more. It was a HOT day out so we hurried through all the areas. But they even served a yummy lunch and best of all it was free! Ever since they had their hair sprayed here they love to do it any chance they get.

National Night out or Should I say Night to Unite...

Tonight was our Neighborhood "Night to Unite" Party. It was so much fun. We had a ton of yummy food to eat and we met a ton of new neighbors. We had a great turn out too, there was between 40-50 people there which I think is awesome. Bella and Parker have some new friends to play with and they can't wait. We chatted, ate, the police department and fire trucks came, the kids got treats and decorated their bikes and had a bike parade. Than we ended the night with some fire works and a bon fire. It cooled down a little from the day and it was a perfect night. Can't wait to plan next years.

Girls Camp

We got egged...so cute they were filled with candy!

Chocolate Fondue Anyone...yes we are still camping

Treasure maps to find treasure in our camp site

The whole Gang

I was so lucky to be able to spend a week up at girls camp...yes it rained cats and dogs the first day but we survived and Yes there may have been tons of bugs and sleeping in tents etc. But it was an AMAZING week. I loved getting to know these girls and to hear their sweet testimonies of the Gospel. They all have such sweet Spirits and truly made me learn and grow this week. I loved watching them step out of their comfort zones and meet new people, try new things and truly enjoy one anothers company. Their laughter and late night girl talks were fun, the camp fires, crafts, games and more. It was so fun to plan devotionals and to find the treasures within. I can't wait for next year.

Happy 1st Birthday Alex!!

Alex Turned '1' TODAY!!! My sweet little man is getting so big way to fast!! He is Always so happy and loving and is such a JoY to our WhoLe FaMiLy.

Alex Loves:

Dancing and Singing,

eating..he is a great eater...GREEN BEANS are his favorite!!

he will eat a whole can in one sitting if we let him!!
He says: momma, dadda, hi, bu-bye, nigh-night

and has been heard saying: grandma, grandpa and bella!

He loves to be outside, playing with Bella and Parker and all of his friends...

but his favortie thing is to...

SMILE and LAUGH!

He loves to give loves and is so much fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY. Enjoy your day!

Vehicles...can't live with them and you can't live without them

So our van saga continues..many of you may or may not know of our fun van saga so here goes.

Back in 07' before Parker was born we had decided that we needed a vehicle big enough to carry 2 kids, a double stroller, grocery and whatever else at the time. We had decided to take the plunge and get a mini van. I tried all other options but it kept leading us to the van. Ugh..so we did it we bought an 07' Town and Country. Much to my surprise I loved it. I could fit plenty of people and stuff in and it was easy and comfortable. But little did we know was that the next few years this brand new shiny van would give us so many problems.

We had our van in the shop almost every few months. It was so frustrating over the years taking out our whole life at times (it felt like) moving the car seats and strollers and much much more. We were supposed to get rentals every time but that never happened and they would say, 'it will be done today' and 3 days later we would finally get it back and so forth. So finally about a year ago I got in touch with some people from Chrysler Corp. and they came to the rescue. They got involved right away and were on top of every time there was a problem. We had rentals finally and they even came out to our house a time or two so we didn't have to keep transporting everyone. But they still couldn't seem to fix it so they offered us a new van! We were hesitant at first because of cost and thinking it would be a huge deal, but little did we know if was easier than we would have imagined. We went through a few little hoops..mostly because of a dumb sales man but we got our new van and the WHOLE FAMILY LOVED IT!! 3 video screens, windows that all come down etc. We thought the saga was over......

Well, 2 weeks ago John drove the van out to Utah to pick the kids and I up and to spend some time with his family. Now remember it's a brand new van, nice and shiny and only 1500 miles on it. Well he drove it to his sisters and all of a sudden it started to make this buzzing noise. Almost like we were driving a moped. I laughed and was like what did you do to my new van, I have only driven it for a week or so. He had no idea. So I drove it for 2 more days still trying to tell myself that it truly was just the mountains and the van was adjusting etc. Well Saturday morning I just had a feeling I better go have the dealership listen to it just to make sure we would make it back to MN..Ha ha.. He came out within minutes and said we needed a new tyranny.. what it's new? Are you kidding me?? Yep, we needed a whole new one and it extended our trip in Utah for another week. Luckily it was under warranty and they paid for John's ticket home so we weren't out that. But some have asked how we have gotten cursed with our vehicles?? We don't know but we are hoping it was a small glitch and that from here on out we will have no more car issues...Please