Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

It's hard to believe that my dad turned 60! 60 is in no way old, but I'm not sure how my dad is 60? I feel like it was just yesterday that we had his 50th surprise party.
It was great that Erin and her family could come home for the weekend to spend time with the family and celebrate my dad. We kept the birthday celebration low key, but surrounded him with what is most important to him~his family.

On Sunday we headed to the cider mill in Plymouth. We got there a little early, so Jackson and Aubrin walked around a bit and checked out the sites. I was so happy to see Erin and Jayson pull in with the kids. It always fills my heart when I see my sister and of course her whole family.

Once we were all there, got all of our hugs in, we headed to the hay ride to head back to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkins. As soon as we got off the wagon Jackson started running all the way to the other end of the field. He had a strategy to find the perfect pumpkin. He said that everyone always looks towards the front, and that he was going all the way to the back where no one goes- smart little guy. Aubrin and Emerson were just running holding hands and giggling the whole time. Will was on a mission with Jayson and Erin to get his pumpkin and my mom and dad were soaking in every second of having the whole family together.

After pumpkins we headed to see the animals and then have cider and donuts. The weather was beautiful so we took total advantage of it and stayed and played outside.

After we headed back to mom and dads for a simple lunch and cupcakes. The kids played games, the guys watch football and the ladies were able to catch up a bit.

All of the kids were so exited to sing happy birthday and blow the candles out with grandpa.

It was a wonderful celebration of my dad and our family. Happy Birthday Dad!

As always as we left it was a sad good bye to my sister and her family, but it was a day well spent.

Zoo Trip

Today we thought it would be a great day to go to the zoo. When we went to the zoo earlier this summer, both Jackson and Aubrin were disappointed the lions were gone because a new habitat was being built for them. We were finally able to get back to see them today. It was a bit chilly, but we bundled up and headed out. We were excited to see that the zoo was decorated for Halloween. The whole front of the zoo was lined with pumpkins, scarecrows everywhere and different displays made out of pumpkins and gourds. It was very festive for this time of year. Of course we headed straight to the lions. It was nice that we were able to get so close. Jackson and Aubrin were happy to see them back. After that we enjoyed the rest of the animals as well. It was cool out, so many of the animals were out. It was also feeding time for many of the animals.

Aubrin rode on a carousal for the first time. She has never shown an interest in them before especially because I can't go on them (motion sickness). Todd talked her into going and she loved it.

On our way home we stopped at grandma and papa's house for lunch and a short visit.

Field Trips

This week Jackson and Aubrin both had field trips. On Wednesday Jackson went to an apple orchard with his class. Todd was able to take the afternoon off to go with Jackson and his class. Todd was one of the drivers for the trip, so he took Jackson and another little boy in his car. When they got to the orchard they went on a hayride, had a short tour of the facilities and had cider and donuts. It was a short trip, but a perfect length of time for a first time field trip. It was also a good chance for Todd to meet some of the parents in the class and some of the new friends Jackson has been talking about.

On Thursday Aubrin had a field trip to Spicer's Orchard. My mom was able to take Aubrin on her trip. Aubrin was so excited for her first field trip and she was excited that her grandma was taking her. Aubrin went on a hayride, picked an apple and a pumpkin, had donuts and cider and played in the play area for a bit. She had a great time playing with all of her new friends and of course Tessa. Aubrin was thought it was an added bonus that Cassie was also on the field trip.

It was a great first field trip of the year for all. I felt horrible that I couldn't go on either, but most importantly, Jackson and Aubrin both had a great experience on their trips.

Festivals and Fire Trucks

Over the past couple of weeks we have been trying to enjoy the sunny days. A few of the days have been cooler, but others we can still get away with wearing shorts and flip flops. Todd had his annual baseball golf outing so the kids and I went to a fall festival at Hess Hathaway park. There was so much for the kids to do. Of course we headed straight to the farm. Jackson and Aubrin each got a cup of food to feed the sheep, goats and ducks. Feeding farm animals is a little piece of heaven for our babes. Then we headed to the hayride. It was a nice 20 minute ride through the woods. All of the leaves were changing so it was a very pretty ride. Jackson and Aubrin were on the look out for deer and squirrels. They also had a barn full of crafts and a nutty storyteller woman that all of the kids seemed to love. For the fact that she was talking about animal poop seemed to keep all of the kids attention. On our way to the car we picked out our first pumpkins of the year!












We've also visited the White Lake Fire Department for their open house. They had all of their fire trucks and ambulances out for the kids to climb inside and explore. Jackson thought it was great. Aubrin couldn't get past the firefighter dressed in his gear. It was very scary for her and she was a kola bear on the front of me. Once we went inside the garage there was am old fire engine and Aubrin liked that one because all men dressed in gear were out of sight! The kids munched on a few snacks and we headed home. Once we got home we decorated outside for Halloween! We love fall!

Fishing

A few weeks ago we spent some time with the Campau's fishing. Jackson and Aubrin had a great time. So over that past couple of weeks we have spent many evenings at the pond at the club house. It is crazy the amount of fish that the kids have been catching. Just as Todd gets one fish off the hook and throws it back in, another one is being caught. Jackson actually caught one that was so big that it broke the pole! It has been a great way to spend our evenings as a family.

Two Babes in School

Kindergarten has finally arrived. After much excitement and planning Jackson was so ready for his first day of school. The night before we packed Jackson's backpack (although not the one we ordered, still on back order-bummer), got his clothes ready and got to bed early. We read The Night Before Kindergarten and talked about what his day might look like. I was a nervous wreck and feeling a bit sad that I could not go to school with him on his first day.












Todd took his first day of school off to spend the morning with Jackson at school.
As I got ready for work in the morning Jackson assured me that he was excited to ride the bus and was really excited for his big day. Todd waited at the bus stop with Jackson and then quickly drove to school to meet the bus. The kindergartners only stayed half the day and the parents stayed as well. Jackson had a great time meeting new friends, seeing his teacher again, and learning new routines. After school Todd took Jackson out for a special lunch. Jackson called me at work to tell me all about his day. Although I knew it would be great, it was nice to hear the excitement in his voice. The following week Aubrin started preschool. She had been feeling a little sad that Todd, Jackson and I were gone every day. She said to me on our first day of school, "Mom, why is everyone leaving me?" So when it was time for Aubrin to go to school we really celebrated her. On the morning of school Aubrin was up at 3:30am ready to go with excitement. Luckily she went back to sleep for a bit after I explained to her that Mrs. Katie her teacher was still at home sleeping. I was so happy that I was able to take the morning off of school to take her on her big day. When we got to school Aubrin was excited to see all of the kids. She introduced herself to a few little girls and asked them if they wanted to play. Although, she kept watching the door out of the corner of her eye waiting for Tessa to walk through the door. Aubrin couldn't be more thrilled to be going to preschool with Tessa. This summer when someone would ask Aubrin about going to preschool her response would be, " I'm going to preschool and Tessa is in my class, I'm so excited." A few of the kids in Aubrin's class had siblings in Jackson's preschool class, so it was nice to reconnect with them. It will also be nice to share this experience with Krista and our little ladies start their school year together. Aubrin decided that she thinks circle time is great. She loves sitting on the rug and listening to Mrs. Katie read a story. When Todd and I get home from work, we get every detail about her morning at school.We are so happy that the school year has stared out so great for our babes. We can't wait to see what the year brings.

A Trip to School

This week Jackson had an open house at school to meet his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Stachura. Jackson was excited for all of us to go to check out his classroom, drop off his school supplies and see if any of his preschool buddies were in his class. When we got to the school all of the kids were outside playing and eating popsicles. Jackson found a few of his buddies and they enjoyed their popsicles together.

Then we had a chance to go into the classroom to take a look around. Jackson was shy when he met his teacher, but was all smiles. He was excited to look around and tell Aubrin that this would be his classroom.
I was very excited to go and see Jackson's classroom and his reaction to meeting his teacher. I am not able to go on the first day to share that with him. Todd is able to take the day off of school to be with Jackson.
As we were leaving the building Jackson met up with his friend Nathan and they played outside for a few minutes. There are only a few friends from preschool in Jackson's class, but I'm sure he will meet friends quickly. In the car, Jackson seemed excited about going to his classroom and counting the days until it was time to get on the bus and go back.The next morning he woke up and said. " Mom, I think my teacher is really pretty."