A Trip to Spicer's Apple Orchard

This past weekend we took this little cutie-pie to the same place we used to take her Mama and her Aunties when they were little.  We thought maybe it was a bit early, since we usually go in October and it was barely September, but not so.  The main parking was jammed full, people were parked up and down the side of the main road leading to the orchard and we were directed to overflow parking, which was three quarters full also.  It was a happening place, full of families with tons of kiddos in tow.

Our visit began with a tour of all the animal pens.  The ducks were sleeping.  No quack - quack, except from the Gramie.  And yes, I did gobble - gobble at the turkeys too.

The goats, both the regular size and pygmie were really cute and FAT!  This one was our favorite. 

There were slides and a zip line, a train to sit in, a sandbox to play in and John deer trikes to ride around a track.

There was a huge hill of dirt,which had grown over with a bit of grass, so the kids could climb to their hearts content and another building filled with corn kernels to play in like a sand box only corn to dig, sift, pour and pile.  Oops!  I mustn't forget the barn with the hay bale maze it it, because it's always a favorite for the kids when they visit the orchard.

Daniela on her first trip to Spicers Apple Orchard.  May there be many more.

Last of all we went on a hayride and picked a peck of apples, so we can make apple pizza.

Yum! Yum!  I know you are all jealous and will be wanting some of your own, sorry I don't have time for any mail orders, I'm leaving for New Mexico soon.

Never fear we did go in Spicer's store and buy some cider and some carmel apples to enjoy once we returned home.  It was a great day!

WBW #20 -- Who's Who?

Ashley or Audra?

Audra or Ashley?

Amanda or Meghan?

Meghan or Amanda?




Okay, so I spent oodles of time trying to reduce the size of the last picture, but NO, it wasn't going to happen. Not today. Not now. Maybe, not ever, so I gave up.

I'm sure my girls can guess who is who, but what about the rest of you?  Please comment - Meghan is the only one that ever does (besides Amanda once & Troy & Michelle a coupole times) and it would make me feel better about all the time I spent trying to post this WBW baby girl photo feast.

A Day Outdoors - Together

This is my attempt to take some pics of Daniela and the dog she loves, Danan.

She gets so tickled to see the dog chase the ball in the house or the frisbee outside.

Sometimes Daniela is overcome with big belly laughs just watching the dog jump and catch her toys,  it's so cute.

Right now Danan loves the goodies she drops from her highchair, but doesn't like being pestered when she's resting.

I'm anxious to see how their relationship plays out during the next few years.

MckMama says "I'm a Runner - Up!"

MckMama says I'm a Runner - Up!
I always wanted to be a "Winner".  Good Grief, I think I'm gonna cry too.

If you want to see what the fuss is all about, check out her post here.

She asked everyone to comment on what would be a good caption for this picture of Small Fry crying with a key in her hand.

Go on over and check it out, you know you want to.

I saw on my side bar that MckMama had visited my blog.  Okay so already I'm taking inventory....what have I posted lately.  Ugh!  I've been in a slump again, just like last time she visited. 

Why oh Why doesn't she stop by when I post  about something good like the nightmare I had last June.

Or the near fiasco right before my niece's wedding.  I can be witty and fun, just not on an every other day basis like MckMama.

Okay, I talked myself into it.  I can be happy just being a Runner-Up, after all there were a whole slew of entries.

Me & My Pony!

Did she really need a pony?

NO!

Well define need.

It was only $8.00 and doesn't eat a thing, except batteries.

It whinneys, clops and plays music.

So far it's a horse with no name.

She likes standing in front of it and spinning the apparatus on top to make it play different tunes.

She's pretty happy with her new ride. 

And it was all her idea to wear farmers bibs and boots.

She said "Gramie, if you're taking pictures, I need to look the part."

Daniela is smiling so big you can see her two new teeth.

Did she really need a pony?

Yes, I think she did.

And she's not letting this pony out of her sight, for a long time.

What do you think we should call this horse with no name?

Leave us a comment.

Little bits of information!

I haven't posted in a few days.  I'm trying to catch up around the house before leaving to New Mexico in two short weeks.  Here's what's been going on.

I went to a Mom-to-Mom sale and found some real deals, like a $10 stroller  and $8.00 Fisher Price jumping horse for Daniela to ride.  I forced myself not to look at any clothes, but did stock up on socks & bibs for her.  Also picked up a few new toys, who can resist good quality toys marked only $1.00, or great books for 25 cents, obviously I couldn't.

Later we took Daniela with us and went to Meijers where we ran into none other than Laura,her Hubby and the entire family.  It was so good to see them all.  I only had a chance to meet Anna & Jonas before they moved to North Carolina, and although my two oldest daughters have visited them there it never worked out for me, so I met the rest of the kids for the first time.  They are every bit as adorable as you see on their blog.  Laura announced they are expecting another baby, which will make eight.  My daughter informed me she already knew, apparently I somehow missed the revealing of that big secret on her blog.  Join me in praying for a healthy boy, although I know they'll be happy with whatever God gives them.

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary came and went without any fanfare, it was the 28th.  We will have to celebrate at a later date, when things slow down.

Ashley started college, so I will be in charge of the baby every Saturday and also every Tuesday, so it gives Ashley a little break from taking Danny along with her to her Nanny position.  The little girl she Nanny's for just turned one year old, and Daniela just turned 9 months, so it's like caring for twins.

No weight loss last week.......  Um perhaps it was the two Margaritas (separate days) or the night out to eat at the BBQ place, or the pumpkin bread Ashley made or any number of other things.  I'll make a renewed effort to get back on track.

I usually don't post about what's going on while I'm visiting the girls (because I don't want the world to know I'm gone from my home, but it will be occupied the whole time, since I'm the only one going), so I'll be able to blog all about my adventure at Audra's and the birth (if Rowyn waits till I get there) and the new baby photos I will post, which I know you will all be dying to see.  Please don't edit that run on sentence for me, I know it's bad and don't care, just trying to share some thoughts.

That's it.  That's all I have time for anyway.

Put Gramie in Charge...

What does she do?  Have a Photo Session.  Of course.

Rule #1 Contain the child.  This crib worked nicely.

Rules #2 & #3

Get close and take picture from a new level, like below the child.

Rule #4  Catch some action. 

Like Daniela walking along the edge of the crib.

Rule #5  Don't be afraid to try something new like this reflection photo.

Rule #6  Take advantage of unforseen oportunities.

(Our dog was coming into the room and caught her attention.)

Rule #7  Enjoy the process - every sweet minute of it.  I do!