It's Apple Pickin' Time!

Last Wednesday (I'm getting better!) I took off work to join Nick and his kindergarten class to go on their field trip. We had great weather for our apple picking trip! Our first stop at the orchard was listening to Abby Apple talk about the four seasons and how they affect apple growing! Look at all the volunteers!!! Notice Nick in the front row in his brown shirt...with his hands in his lap!!!
Next we hopped on the tractors and headed out to the orchards! We had three different apples to choose from, and the trees were FULL!!!
So full that we were all told to wipe the apple off our our shirts and take a bite! Nick ate his WHOLE apple!!!
Here are Nick and one of his classmates, Ryan, who was in our group! they had to hold their apples like "babies!" The boys thought that was HILARIOUS!!!
After we were all done, we rode back to the fun corral where the kids could play for a bit after they had their taste of apple cider! I managed to get a cute pic of Nick and his "girl" friend, Rachel!
After our fun corral time we headed back on the buses and back to school! A quick, but fun, first field trip for Nick!!!

A STINGING good time!

On Labor Day we headed to the zoo with the Walter family! We made sure to get there early (glad we did as the parking was FULL when we were heading out around 1ish!).

Our first stop was the stingrays...well, actually the kids got all kinds of excited about the geese! Check out this pic...all 5 kids were staring and chatting about the ducks as all four adults were trying to persuade them to get moving!!!
We finally made it to the stingrays!
Unfortunately though, Jack and Nick couldn't touch them because of all their tattoos on their arms...they had gone a little tattoo crazy on Sunday...even putting them on their faces!!!! I hope this doesn't speak for their future! Dan LOVED them! He even bought food to feed them. That was kind of freaky though, as the stingray would swim over his hand and suck up the little piece of fish that Dan had between his fingers! UGH!
We managed to even have time to ride on the train and the carousel! Surprisingly the boys chose animals near each other...that NEVER happens!
Luke kept asking to see the "elephants" so we definitely had to make a stop there! Nick was pooped already and had found a happy spot atop of Dan's shoulders by this point, so he didn't make this picture!
After we saw the elephants, we headed home! It was a perfect time too as the crowds were pouring in when we were leaving and Angie and I were both complaining of the heat...well, maybe not "complaining," just "noticing" the temperature! :)

It's Greek to Me, Take TWO

Two weeks ago (darn time, keeps moving making it hard to catch up on this blog!) the fam headed to the Labor Day Greek Fest at a nearby Greek Orthodox Church. We met up with my dad's cousins Sandy and Cindy, and Sandy's husband, Dwayne as well as Nana, Papa, Jackie, Steve and of course, Baby Henry!

Here is a pic of part of our group...Nana, Dwayne, (Jackie, Steve and Henry in the background), Sandy and Cindy all enjoying our delicious Greek food!
Talk about enjoying their food, here are Steve and Dan with dessert!
Dan again, with more dessert...well, trying to take Papa's! (I love how Dan and Papa - the majority of the family actually - have become even more animated for me to tell my stories on this blog!) :)
Of course at any Greekfest, Dan has to partake in some fabulous ouzo - the burn my throat as it trickles down, black licorice tasting beverage. Tonight was no different, with the exception that he had two takers when he asked for drinking buddies! Nana and Sandy were up for the challenge! Ready, set, GO!
Dan's finished first...
But where did he go??? Check out the expressions on Nana and Sandy's faces!
They weren't the only ones enjoying their drinks. Check out Jack, trying to talk and swallow his 7-up at the same time!
Nick - who could honestly be in a commercial for this stuff. Look at that cheesy smile!
And a MAJOR close up of Luke. Not necessarily intentional, just this photographer's close proximity as Luke was sitting on my lap! Check out the fat on those cheeks and fingers. I LOVE it!
We ended the evening over at Sandy and Dwayne's house watching their little dog, Lexie perform her many tricks!!! Can't wait for the next Greekfest to roll around...too bad we have to wait for 2010 Memorial Day weekend...

Papa's PERFECT Party!

My dad celebrated his birthday on September 1st! If you want to know how old he is, just ask Jack...he is our family's math/memory wiz and can tell you how old any member of our family is!!! He even told all of the daycare teachers how old Nana was when she picked him up from daycare the other day...Nana was so, well, uh, proud! :)

We decided to have a BBQ/bonfire at Aunt Jackie and Uncle Steve's house this year to celebrate! The boys again helped Papa blow out his candles!
Papa LOVED his wireless speakers for his backyard! Looks like Nana is excited about them too! Uncle Steve hooked them up right away at his house so we could all enjoy some fabulous music!!!
Jackie and Steve's neighbor, Jamie, joined in on the party! Uncle Steve and Dan were the marshmallow roasters for the evening!
Nick poses with his s'more...and Jack and Papa!
Luke kept busy while painting the driveway with water!!! (Pardon the pj's, but it was late and we had a bit of a drive home...)
Henry looks wide awake here with Nana...unfortunately, Nana and I decided to feed him his baby food MUCH earlier than what Jackie and Steve typically do. Henry slept the majority of the night and was just waking up when we were getting ready to leave....sorry!!! :)
Jackie and I even got a 5K run in during the party!!! And, Nana and Papa played a new game with Jack and Nick that we all loved!!! Another fantastic party for a fantastic man!!! Happy Birthday, PAPA!!! We love you!

In the Swing of School....

It has been a few weeks now and my three school boys (counting Luke at CID!) are settling nicely into a schedule! They were even happy to pose for me the other morning as I took a few more quick pics of my big boys!

Here is my second grader, Jack!
And here is my kindergartner, Nick!
Luke didn't want to get a picture by himself (go figure!) so Jack and Nick decided to jump in with his! Aren't they handsome??? (Pardon the side view, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to rotate it...even though Uncle Steve sent me step by step directions!)
Enjoy your Saturday! We will be hanging out at the soccer fields for the majority of the day! Then hopefully when I get home I can get some more blogging done...I'm falling so far behind!!!

Magnificent Millennium

Two weeks ago (I know, I know, I'm behind AGAIN!!!) we were invited to go to the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis for a kid free night with Bob and Angie! Bob decided to surprise his lovely wife with the trip and we provided a second surprise when we met them in the martini bar for drinks!

Here was the view from our room on the 24th floor!
And here is the picture Dan took of us - one arm holding the camera out - just like we used to!
Here are Dan and I at the Martini bar...notice our stoplight of drinks!
After our delish drinks we headed over to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (thanks to Jennifer for the recommendation!) I unfortunately, wasn't feeling so hot (martinis on an empty stomach do not make a good combination!) so I didn't eat much, but the other 3 diners enjoyed their meals!

After dinner we walked back to our hotel and headed to our room! Here is a cute pic of Bob and Ang, right before Bob fell asleep!!!
Angie and I ended up watching TV for a bit (as Dan was snoring too!) before they headed back to their room! So much for partying all night!!! The next morning though, we were up and at'em for our reservations in the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the hotel! Here was a picture that the waiter snapped of us!
After our fabulous night, less than 24 hours of kid free fun, we happily headed back to retrieve the boys from Nana and Papa's house! They had a blast too, playing outside with Nana and Papa for hours. Nana even said that Jack asked her if Papa could go back outside and play with them again! Sounds like we need to plan another weekend getaway!!!