The Pridgeons: 2016

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

apple orchard field trip

Kate's first field trip was to Robinette's Apple Orchard on the north side of town. Marty came up to stay with Liv and Will, so I got to go along. It was so fun to see Kate interact with her teachers and classmates. We saw how they make apple cider, went on a hay ride, walked through a corn maze, and then finally picked an apple. We also got a donut and apple cider before the field trip was over. The donuts were pretty fantastic, so we bought some extras to bring home for everyone else:)

waiting to put her apple into the cider press

reading a book on our way through the maze

Kate's class

I loved having some special one-on-one time with my big girl!

applesauce 2016

The kids and I went down to the farm over Matt's work weekend and made our annual applesauce stash. Both girls helped wash apples, along with their cousin Anna. They had so much fun splashing around and 'squeaking' the apples. The giggles were precious. They didn't care as much to turn the crank or fill jars, but we had lots of other hands. We made enough applesauce to last our family and Paul and Nikki's family for a year. Lots of work, lots of fun. Will and Maddie had some special bonding time, too:)

family fun

one last picnic!

Will - 7 months

He is getting so big!

Will is kind of sitting up, just all of the sudden, so that's pretty fun. I love this stage where he can sit up and look around, but he doesn't move:) He is eating avocados, bananas, peas, apples, pears, butternut squash, acorn squash, and sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are still his favorite.

And just look at these sweet smiles. I can't get enough.

Dan & Kasey's wedding

My cousin, Dan, got married on September 17. He and Kasey are both into fishing and hunting, so there were a lot of fun themed things at the wedding and reception. It was in Cedar Springs/Greenville, and was a bit of an all day affair, so we left Kate and Liv with Aunt Tessa and Uncle Justin for the day, and just took Will along. I didn't take many pictures, but it was a fun afternoon and evening with the Kadzbans.

Adam, Bryan and Lisa were all in town for the wedding, so we got extra time with them. The girls really love their Aunts and Uncles and were super excited to spend time with them, playing, reading, running around...

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

yard work

Loving this fall weather...and loving these silly girls. They went all over the yard raking up the grass clippings and putting them into the little car's seat, and then dumping that into the weeds behind the house. I sent Matt pictures. He was so proud of his little munchkins:)

Will Matthew - 6 Months!

This little love is just the sweetest thing! I'm really slacking in posting these pictures, but I'm trying to continue taking them to capture each stage. He's changing so fast right now and we love him so much.

At half of a year (what?!?), Will is:

rolling all over (especially while sleeping)
still waking 2-4 times each night
taking better - and more regular - naps that Olivia did at this age (usually one longer one in the morning and either another long one or two shorter ones in the afternoon)
going to bed around 7:00/7:30
has no teeth yet
not sitting up unassisted
SO happy, about 90% of the time
really loves mommy and daddy...others are ok to look at too, as long as they don't try to hold him!
wearing 6 and 9 month clothes
chunkier than either of the girls at this age
liking being outside...looks all over while taking walks
a little observer, he loves to watch his sisters run around and dance and be crazy
starting solids...so far, he's only tried avocado (thumbs up) and applesauce (thumbs down)

Half a year already, buddy. Time sure is flying!

Kate starts Preschool!

We decided to put Kate in 4 year old preschool this year. She goes M/W/F from 9:00-11:30. I'm glad we got to ease into the routine because it was really hard for me to let her go. I know school is good for her in so many ways, but I'm just used to being with her and doing things together, so it's an adjustment.

big girl with her new back pack!

She had a parent/child open house style day the Friday after Labor Day, and Sunday night (the eve of her starting on her own), we went to Houseman's for ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate.

Open house day...can you tell she's excited?

by her locker

And here's her first day on her own. She picked out the dress:) Matt stayed home late that morning to go with me to drop-off. Having him there definitely made it easier. Once Kate's teacher came out to welcome them, she ran right inside without even giving me a hug. And Olivia followed her! I had to run in and grab Liv, and she then spent most of the morning asking where Kate was. She was a little lost without her big sister. All in all, it was a great first day. I can already tell Kate is going to love it!