Orchard Hill Farm

There is a cute little farm around the corner from us that does hayrides on the weekends.  We took Kate last year, and wanted to go back this year with both girls.  The first Sunday we tried going, they weren't doing hayrides because it was too muddy.  Kate was pretty bummed, but we still got to see the animals and walk around a little bit.

The following Sunday, we went back, and were not disappointed!

a beautiful, perfect fall day!

Applesauce Day at the Farm and Kate's First Sleepover

Matt was working for the weekend, so I packed Liv up and took her to the farm for a day of making applesauce with Grandma Pridgeon.  We also got to see sweet Anna and Nikki for a while too, so it was really fun.  Meanwhile, Kate had a sleepover with my parents, since there was no way I'd get any applesauce made if she was at the farm with me.  Kate had so much fun! She got to go for a bike ride and to the Animal Park (Boulder Ridge in Alto, MI).  She could not stop talking about feeding the animals and taking a ride on the zebra bus with Grandma and Grandpa.

Liv loves Bri Guy

holding a baby chick

feeding the camel

Tessa's Wedding Shower

On September 13, we threw Tessa's bridal shower at the farm.  I was so bummed to forget both my camera and my phone, so I only have a few pictures.  It was so much fun, though, and so great to celebrate Tessa and Justin's upcoming wedding.  Congratulations, guys!

After naps in the afternoon, we finally took Kate and Liv over to the farm and let them check out a few baby pigs and some tractors.  Kate thought the piggies smelled bad, but both girls touched them.  Liv seemed to have no fear:) Kate LOVED the tractor.  She was begging to drive it from the moment she got in.  Matt hopes we have some country girls on our hands!

yep, she's driving

Kate-isms

I dare you not to laugh:)

"Mom, the Frozen princess has salami at her castle from her own Meijer, just like our Meijer"

"Can you keep me safe from the bugs, because I don't like people bugging me!"

"She's a Laura, and you're a Laura...We have TWO Laura's in our family!"

Matt: "Africa, Europe, Australia"
Kate: "Don't strail me!"

"Daddy, don't go close to the fire - you'll get fired!"

Me: "I'm going to run up and get Liv, ok?"
Kate: "No, just do what Dr. Pott said.  Sometimes you can just leave her up there and she'll stop crying and go back to sleep"

"Rowd (her stuffed dog), this is difficult.  You can just go on the floor, because this seat is for Kate."

Mama, I was just talking to Lincoln on this phone.  Let's call him again.  But, I need to send a text first."  (Pause) "Ok, can you push the numbers now?"

"I don't like pears, Mom.  I don't like apples either.  But I only like apples from the orchard."

"These are my most precious collection" (a bunch of red leaves collected during our walk)

"I have a bad case of toe jam!"

Me: "Kate, it's time to sit at the table"
Kate: "I can't, mama.  I have to make something incredible for Liv on my Magna Doodle"

bath time baby!

Prepare yourself; you're about to see the cutest baby in the world:)

Olivia 7 Months

Sweet, sweet Olivia was 7 months old on September 20.  That day, we celebrated my cousin Rachel's baby shower and Tessa's bachelorette party, so it was a big day of fun.  Before the photos, here's a little about our peanut...

She's tiny, she's a bit fiesty, and she has red hair.  She looks super cute in headbands.  She always pulls off her right sock.  She's endlessly curious and incredibly flexible.  Once she can hold her own with Kate, I think we're going to be in trouble.  Once she can talk, we're also in trouble, because Kate is already adamant about Olivia not making noise while she's talking.  I have a feeling it's going to get even noisier around here.  

Liv is finally sleeping through the night:) Remember when I said she was finally starting to get into a nap routine and take longer naps during the day...just kidding! She's a total mystery to me when it comes to sleep.  But, she's usually a pretty happy girl, so she must be doing ok.  She still nurses 4-6 times a day and is eating solids at least once a day.  She really likes solids, which is totally different from Kate.

Livvy seems pretty social - she always wants to be where the action is, and she wants to do what Kate is doing.  I can't wait for them to get a little bit older and actually play together.  Liv loves her daddy and gets super duper excited whenever he comes home from work.  She gets excited just to hear his voice on the phone if he calls while we're eating dinner.

She has lots of ticklish spots and the cutest little giggle to go along with them.  She and Kate get going back and forth with squeals and giggles and it is seriously the sweetest thing ever.  

Still no teeth and no crawling - and I'm totally ok with that.

We love you, Olivia Anne, more than we thought we could!

And some sister lovin'...because you can't get the camera out and not take pictures of Kate (she just won't allow it!)