Punkin Patch

The GG's have the best pumpkin patch in the area and every year we head on over for some pumpkins and fun. This year it was a beautiful day and both girls had a blast in the pumpkin patch, especially Quinnie as this is her first year of being at the pumpkin patch. Last year we got our pumpkins before she was born. We ended up coming home with quite a bunch of pumkins in various sizes. Chris had a little trouble getting them all into the van but he did it. It was another story unloading the big ones. Rylee can't wait to carve them and is counting the days until we can. We wait until a few days before so we have about a month to go.

Quinn's first visit to the punkin patch at the GG's house

The girls picking out their favorite jumbo punkin- this year they turned out so good!

Miss Ry showing off her choice

Ry and the GG's in "the Rig". She is now old enough to ride in it with them- there is a law (wink wink)that says you have to be 4 (or pretty close to it)

Quinn and GG having a few moments together

Showing off thier choices after Daddy hauled them into the garage

Quinn had a blast crawling through the pumkins.

Out of all the ones to pick from, Ry chose the smallest one but she thought it was "the best one"

Ry and the punkins we brought home. Looks like we have a bit of carving ahead of us to do.

Just look at that smile!

If you're in need of punkins- head on over to the GG's- they have THE BEST!

Pickin Apples

Last weekend when the weather was warm and sunny, we headed over to the Baker Apple Orchard in Centuria for some apple picking. We have never been to an orchard, so we had no idea what to expect. I sort of thought it would be like in the movies where you go and pick your own apples, carrying a basket to collect the apples in. This is not the case at this orchard. The people were very nice and explained that we were welcome to walk through the orchard and sample some apples and then we could purchase them from the apple stand before we left.

Ok- so we started out walking through the orchard and had the discussion that we had no clue what type of apples were there as we only can tell by the sticker on them (orchard apples have no stickers- but i bet you knew that). It was a funny conversation. We just started picking apples and taking a few bites before determining some were to tart, others not quite ripe until we stumbled upon the best apple of the day, a perfectly ripe Honeycrisp! YUMMY! They were so good, we all had an apple and enjoyed how fresh and juicy they were- so not like the ones in the store. It was great! Before we left we bought a bag of Honeycrisp and a bag of Sweet 16- both super yummy choices!

Along the way, they have a beautiful memory garden thing that has a sunflower ring and old wood and rocks. We stopped and took a few cute pictures of the girls, so I hope you enjoy!!

Here's Ry getting a lift from Chris as the best apples seemed to be near the top

She was so excited to pick her own apples- she thought she had to sample every one she saw!

Miss Quinnie enjoying her first apple. She has a few teeth so she was able to get a little bit. It helped when Mom took a bite so she could get through the peel and actually taste the apple

I had to put this one in as it shows that I was actually there- as most pictures I am taking so I am never in them. Chris actually offered to take the picture with no prompting from me!

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day- showing off her beautiful smile, big blue eyes, and new chompers!

The girls hamming it up for the camera. Both were good sports!

Just too cute not to share

Can't believe she is almost 4 (in a few weeks)! So darn cute!!

One last apple before we head home!

I think she sampled about 10 apples in the hour we were there

Rough time but all good!

On Friday Kallie went in to the hospital to be induced as the minnow was needing to come out for various reasons. They got to the hospital bright and early on Friday- like 6am-ish and Kallie got some meds to kick start the process. Needless to say Friday was a long day without much progress. I visited for a bit that night and then went home to care for my sick kids (stomach bug of some sort). Saturday came and most of the day went with some progress. We were guessing the time of birth- my guess 2:45 (didn't win that) with Chris's guess at 9:32pm. A lot of texting that day but then nothing for a few hours. This lady got a little nervous as Kallie had some trouble with Nolan's birth. My imagination got the best of me I think until Kallie called a little after 9 to say that the minnow had finally made his debut!

Thank goodness! It was a rough one for a bit as he decided to come out sunny side up and forhead first. I didn't know it was possible to come out forhead first, but he did and has the bruises to prove it. He looks much worse in the pictures. All is well though, the bruising will go away with time and he and Mama are doing well and on their way home today. He is a tough little bugger- but so is his Momma.

Welcome Cade Rilan Branstad!! Born on 9-5-09 at 8:13pm, weighing in at 6.13 and 19 inches long.

What a little peanut- so tiny yet so darn cute!

A close up of the bruising and swelling.

Christopher and Cade. Nice smile!