Feeding Ryan

Forgive me for such a terrible photo, but Owen doesn't like having his photo taken so I had to be stealth like. Our evenings are starting to change a little. For the past 6 months Ryan has taken a nap during my dinner preparations. It's been awesome. All good things must come to an end.

Owen was an awesome helper. While I was finishing dinner, he volunteered to feed Ryan. He did a great job too. Ryan has finally figured out how to eat! He opens his mouth (most of the time) and everything. Doesn't he look ridiculous behind the tray? I am afraid he will lunge otherwise, but you can barely see him.

Face Painting

My mom bought these small pumpkins with pre-drawn faces and paints for the boys. Not to be replaced by the carving pumpkins, but just for a fun activity.

Owen took his very seriously.

Mason, well you can guess which 2 he did!

Playtime

I brought this up from the basement over the weekend. He LOVES it. Now he can be upright and play. Pics coming soon of him in a lovely pink bumbo seat courtesy of my friend Leah. He loves that too, although is already trying to escape.

Changes

My parents have sold their house. They are moving to be closer to us and my sister. While we are thrilled for their new season of retirement (maybe?) with it brings sadness as we say goodbye to the last place my grandparents lived. On Sunday, my family, Lissa and Alex, and my cousin David's family went through my parents basement collecting what we would like to keep for our own. It seemed only fitting to visit my grandparents graves one last time before the move. It was a gorgeous day and I love this photo of our shadows.

I miss them so much and always at the most random times. So many times I have wished they could have met Ryan. I count it such a blessing that they were alive to enjoy the other 2. It has been sad for my mom to sift through their things, deciding what to pass along and what to give/throw away. I have not been as much help as I need to be. I accomplished very little on this visit. There is still so much more to go through.

In addition to my grandparent's things, I also had a few boxes in the basement, marked "Ali's Girlie Stuff" and "If I ever have girls." Ha, I found these titles terribly funny, considering when I opened them up I found 3 stuffed animals and a whole set of Babysitter's Club books. Can you tell I was sooo "girlie"? Don't get me wrong I did go through a box of Barbies and Cabbage Patch doll clothing but most of those belonged to my sister. I guess the Lord knows what he is doing after all! I didn't have as much to pass on as I thought. Although, I did have a dream that night that I was looking for my 2 daughters who had disappeared, but I eventually found climbing a tree :)

I also found my old high school softball jersey. I thought it would impress my boys. They just laughed. And they laughed at my ballet pictures too.

Mountain Top High

Apple picking with my 4 favorite guys.

Apple cider donuts, Yum!

The apples proved trickier to get than we anticipated.

It took a good deal of patience and walking, but we managed to lug away 14 lbs.

Success!

Owen did his best, but his lack of teeth make eating a whole apple very difficult.
I don't even attempt with my jaw issues. I should have brought a pocket knife.

Now I have to get busy, applesauce for my littlest one and pie for the big ones!