Harvest Time!

We live SO close to the winery and nearly every time we drive by, Ellie (the question-asker) asks when we can pick grapes! Last year I missed the sign-up, so this year, I put it on my calendar to call in July and we were excited when there was an opening to pick grapes!

We couldn't have asked for a better morning and a better baby! Eva did great on her first adventure picking grapes. She slept ALL morning in the baby carrier.

The girls were amazed when they found this spider and web. Even though I'm not a fan of spiders, I thought it was pretty neat too!

We weren't sure how this was going to work out...getting to the winery at 8:00 am to pick grapes until a little before noon. On our way to the winery, Jared and I just looked at each other, started laughing and told ourselves we were crazy! But...we were so proud of the girls. They worked SO hard picking and had SO much fun! Half-way through picking, Ellie asked "When do we get to do this again?"

After picking grapes, the winery fed everyone brunch, complete with Sangria :) And, we even got a free "Harvest Crew" T-shirt! We would have to mark this up as one of the best, family-friendly outings we have done. If we can do it with 4 kids under the age of 6, in the mud, anyone can! And to top it off, the owners of this place are wonderful people!!

About 2 and a half TONS of grapes were picked yesterday morning...the girls contributed to 4 buckets worth and they were SO proud. When we drove by the winery last night, they squealed with excitement about how much fun they had!

And another one off...

Ellie had her first day of pre-school on September 8th. I wrongly assumed that sending the second one off to pre-school would be a lot easier the second time around (been there, done that, right?) Not so much. Especially when she said, "Mom, I'm just a little scared", when I dropped her off.

I had to get a good picture of the Kailan backpack because I'm sure this won't be cool in a few years, but right now "it is the coolest thing ever!"

Of course, she loves it and wants to go EVERY day, not just 3 days a week!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my!

Off to the zoo I went with 4 kids, 6 and under. It's alright to call me crazy. Sometimes we just need to get out of the house. Thank goodness my friend came with her daughter...that helped!

Edyn and Trinity...they are going to be such great friends!

Edyn trying to pose like the flamingo. Silly girl!

Eva Faith...5 weeks.

You are growing up SO fast! At 5 weeks, you weighed 10 pounds, 3 ounces. When we brought you home from the hospital you weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces, so you are definitely what they call a "feeder and a grower".

You are so patient, letting your sisters hold you and play with you. I think I get overstimulated from them before you do.

You did lose your patience when I was in the other room and your sisters got the Bumbo seat out and decided you were ready to try to sit in it. You did NOT like that one bit. The Bumbo seat is now on a high shelf.

A day of celebration!

65 years ago it all started with these two...don't they look wonderful?

 

A few years later, they added 6 children...

 

And if you think this is a lot of grandchildren....

These are most of the great-grandchildren!

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa Donnis and Happy Birthday Donnis.  We wish you so many more wonderful years together!!  Cupcakes to you!! (with the most adorable cupcake ever, thanks to Amy!)

first grade.

I can't believe I'm old enough to have a first grader. I need to add that to my shirt. Kids grow up so fast. Once again, I'm SO thankful to be able to get to stay home part-time with them for these precious years that I will never get back. I can't imagine it any other way. We are blessed, for sure.

Emma went to a different school this year and was a bit nervous. However, all the neighborhood kids go to this school so she was excited after her first day and exclaimed, "Wow, I have, like, SO many friends...everybody knows me!" She is doing just wonderful and we are so proud of her!
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As you can tell, Edyn was NOT happy when Emma went to school. Emma and Edyn get along really great because Emma understands that you can't reason with a 2-year old. (Ellie, on the other hand, does not, which of course, results in a lot of fighting.) It broke my heart to watch her sit by the door waiting for Emma to come home.

Emma claims Eva misses her SO MUCH when she is at school and has to have several minutes of cuddle-time with Eva when she gets home. Oh, the sisterly love!

Emma thought she needed her picture on the second day of school as well...by the third day she was too tired to even ask!