Apple Orchard

A few weeks back we were able to make a trip to the apple orchard as a family which hasn't ever happened before.  The prime time for apple picking is the fall and Andy is usally booked on Saturdays with cross country meets so Sundays we try not to make plans.  When my mom was in San Francisco we decided we would be able to make it to the orchard and back before the Bears game at noon.  It was Andy's first trip.  Because of the early warm weather and then frost the orchard lost quite a bit, but there was still plenty of apples to be picked.  After we filled our bags we headed into the store for our FREE (thanks to the Plano library) donuts and apple cider.  We were in an out, have some family fun and still made it back for the game!

Football Fans

Maggie and Molly are ready for fall football!


GO HAWKEYES!



GO BEARS!

Sally and Chris' Wedding

This weekend we celebrated my cousin Sally's wedding.  Sally and Chris were married at Old Brick in Iowa City, Iowa.  Andy, the girls and I packed up the car early Saturday morning and headed to Iowa City.  We arrived before lunchtime so we made a detour to Scheels for some much needed Hawkeye gear.  Then we headed over to the hotel, we were all staying at the Sheraton right downtown Iowa City.  The girls didn't waste a moment and were off to the pedmall playground in no time.  After so resistance about leaving we convinced them to come with us to get some lunch at Pancheros...a favorite spot from my time at Iowa.  Before we knew it, it was time to get ourselves ready.  Shay, Drock, my mom, dad, Andy, the girls and my aunt and uncle headed over for the ceremony.  The ceremony was short, but so sweet.  Since Andy was going to be leaving the reception early I hung out at the hotel with Maggie, Molly took a nap while Andy, Shay, Drock, my parents and many others headed to watch the game.  It wasn't looking good (the outlook of the game that is) by the time we headed back for the reception.  Andy and the girls were able to hang around for dinner, but by the time that was all said and done they were more excited about going back to the hotel for a swim in the pool than staying and dancing so they were off and I was left to hang out and spend some time with the bride, groom, family and friends.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves...enjoy!  Congratulations Sally and Chris! Thanks for such a good time!







Our future Hawkeye!





Sally and Chris say I do!

Just Keep Swimming

Nearly everyday this summer was spent at our neighborhood pool.  Thank goodness we had it because it provided much needed relief on those hot, hot days.  We were able to go on last time and I finally snapped some pictures.  Maggie is like a fish in the water.  She basically just swims back and forth...freestyle one way and backstroke the other.  Molly did everything she could to keep up.  Both girls absolutely love the water!!  I think this winter we will try to get Molly into some swim lessons!

Maggie's First Day of Kindergarten

Monday Maggie got to go to Kindergarten at her new school.  She was so excited to go, a little disappointed that it was only going to be an hour, but excited none the less.  I on the otherhand was nervous, a little sad and excited.  We headed over with her backpack full of supplies in addition to another bag of more stuff on her list.  She got to meet her teacher and organize all her supplies.  Then Maggie worked on a project while her teacher talked with all the parents.  Then we were off back to home where Maggie spent the rest of the day with Grandma.  She was so excited to get to do this.  They went out to lunch and even did a little shopping.  Thanks Grandma for the special day.  I had to head to work.





Tuesday was Maggies real first full day of kindergarten.  In Plano kindergarten was all day.  The night before Maggie had made her lunch request and set out her new back to school dress.  She was up and ready to go and the thing she was most excited about was that she got to ride the bus.  After a whirlwind of a morning and dropped her off at the neighbors with my fingers crossed that she would have a good day.  The whole day I had a a nervous feeling...you just never know how it is going to go.  Since my day ended earlier than I thought it would Andy picked up Molly and I headed straight to the bus stop so I would be able to greet Maggie getting off the bus for the first time.  As luck would have it Molly and Andy made it in time too.  She had a great big smile.  I am happy to report her first day was a success.  Maggie told us her favorite thing was lunch and then recess.  Her teacher also read her a story and she learned some new songs, but her favorite was the song she learned on the bus ride home..."so call me maybe..." The bus driver must have been playing the radio!

Sally's Bachelorette

My cousin Sally is getting married in Iowa City over this coming Labor Day weekend.  We are all so excited.  Sally wanted something a little low key for a bachelorette party so I suggested Andy's parents house in Galena.  It worked out perfectly.  There was seven girls that all met up at the house last weekend.  We snacked then headed downtown for some browsing, wine tasting and dinner.  Then we headed back to the house for games, fun, more wine and the hot tub.  It was a perfect little get away to celebrate Sally's end to the life of a single lady and even more to celebrate this upcoming bash of a wedding we are all looking so forward to celebrating.

Sally...the Bride to Be

California Cousins

We were all able to get together a few more times before my brother, his wife Julie and my two nephews, Jack and Sam, headed back to California.  There was another gathering at my parents for homemade pizza, one of the many requests my brother made while at home.  The boys and my brother joined us for a playdate at home while my mom and Julie shopped.  The cousins had a blast together, and even though we only see them face to face a few times each year it seems like just yesterday when we get together!