Apple Picking and Brush Fire

Last Friday, Adelyn, Braden, Lisee, and I went Apple picking at Charter's mountain.  It was lots of fun, and we enjoyed the warm weather, beautiful views, and delicious apples.  When we first got there, I was planning on getting lunch, but unfortunately they do not serve lunch on weekdays, so we settled on donuts and apple cider.  (What 2 year old wouldn't just love that for lunch!)  Adelyn thoroughly enjoyed this lunch, and while sitting on a bench, looking out over the mountain, and shoving her face with donuts, we heard her say, "THIS is Apple picking!" with such enthusiasm in her voice that we about peed our pants.  It was hilarious!  She had discovered that apple picking was eating donuts and drinking cider, and she would have been happy if it stopped there.  Of course, when we started the actual apple picking, the apples were too high, sun too hot, and hills to steep.  My little girl is ALL girl, and I love her for it (even though I was the biggest tom boy there was growing up!)        

Clearly she did a lot of eating!  That apple looks bigger than her tiny head :)

and more eating...

riding in the cart "agether" (as addie likes to say)

 

my smiley boy :)  He has loved the apples!  They made great applesauce!

 

Onto other fun happenings... 

We have been very busy during our weeks with playgroup and Addie's preschool coop.  This week Adelyn pulled out her UVA cheerleaders poster by herself so that she could show her friends her Uncle Will.  She is so proud!  

Braden has enjoyed having playgroup at our house, too.  Not only is he incredible well loved by all the girls, he also gets styled well by them!

Over the past few weeks we have had several bonfires, an attempt to get rid of a large brush pile that was left for us by the people who used to own our house.  Braden loves sitting out by the fire and watching Daddy work.  He is going to be a great helper when he gets older!

Thanks Auntie Megan for my hat!!!

Fun with Siblings

So, I am just loving this faze with Addie and Braden b/c they are really interacting a lot together and enjoying one another.  Adelyn tries to "pick up" Braden all the time and then roll around with him, kissing him and saying, "you're a handsome boy, you're so sweet, I love you Braden."  Braden is learning to be tough as his sister smothers him, and Addie is learning to be sweet because Braden loves to pull her hair and grab her face.  Life with two continues to be very busy, but lots of fun, as Braden learns new tricks, like eating solids, sitting up well, and practicing crawling.  Adelyn surprises me every day with the things she has learned and the new songs she loves to sing (Like "Doe a Deer" from The sounds of Music...her new favorite.)   With all the busyness, I am constantly trying remember to stop and appreciate the gifts the Lord has given us.  I am very grateful for my job right now, because, although it takes me away from the kids and Steven which is no fun, the break away helps me to gain perspective.  And, we are, as always, grateful for our family who constantly help us and give us the little breaks away from the kids that are so necessary.  Here are some pics I took of the kids together.  

Crawling practice!  He started getting up on his hands and knees and rocking at around 5 months.  He is going to wear me out.  I would like him to wait until he is 12months to crawl...that would make my life a lot less hectic.  And I wouldn't have to baby proof as much.  Adelyn just never really "got into" things...Braden is going to tear the place apart when he can move, I think.  At least he's a happy baby!    

A few weeks ago, we all went to the Lawn to visit with Uncle Will, have lunch (at Take-it-Away of course), and enjoy a little sunshine.

Braden loves our stroller b/c he gets to sit up high in front.  Adelyn loves it b/c she gets to sit down low away from the sun.  These kids couldn't be more different when it comes to personality.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!

Yesterday, was Steven's birthday!  We had lots of fun celebrating over the weekend with the whole Luck family (since it was also Bob's and Williams birthday over the weekend.)  We did one of Steven's all time favorite activities, going to a UVA football game!  And fortunately, the Cavs won, giving Steven the best birthday present he could ask for.  We absolutely love you, Daddy!  So in honor of you, we have a photo shoot of you, the babes, and all orange and blue!       

singing the good ole song

U

V

A

Love you, Daddy!

Braden is 5 months...already!! (time is flying by!)

Our sweet Braden is 5 months old, and I just can't believe how much time flies.  He is sweet and smiley, and has become so much fun.  He is sleeping much better, though still a little bit unpredictable.  He went to his very first UVA football game this past weekend and, not surprisingly, loved it!  He loved the colors, all the people, and of course, watching football.  He loves to move, jump, and stand, and he also has started babbling a lot.  This boy is going to keep me on my toes!

Braden is 5 months old!  I just can't believe it.

The boy refused to sit down for the photo shoot, so I had to take some pictures with him standing up.

Must have a pic of sweet Addie, too.  She is very 2 and wonderful and challenging and changing every day.  She still loves to sing, count, read, and learn.  She is sassy and sweet and loves everything baby.  Recently, she has loved role play, and calls me Addie and her Emily.  She says, "Say, 'Hi Emily.'"  Her newest obsession is her cousin Joshua, whom she talks about all the time and couldn't get enough of at the football game.  We couldn't imagine life without both of our sweet babies!