Center Grove Orchards

Today we visited one of our favorite fall destinations: Center Grove Orchards. We've been going here each autumn since Stella was 18 months old. It's such a fun place! The weather was amazing today, we actually all ended up with a little sunburn!


Mike and Stella:

The corn pit was their favorite place to play! This was our first stop and we actually ran into our good friends The Ricklef's here!

Then we moved over to the children's hay bale maze.

It was popular place today, but the crowds weren't too bad. Here's Hadley and Stella going down the giant slide.

Mike and Porter, Jason and Owen are off to a late start!

The giant jumping pillow worked up a thirst!

On the hay rack ride out to the corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Ready for the corn maze!

The corn maze is a lot of fun. There are 10 stations in the maze and at each station you can paper punch a "symbol" off the maze sheet. If you find all 10 symbols you get a prize, a temporary tattoo! We found all 10 stations in about 30 minutes. Here they are at a station, punching their maze sheet.

At the pumpkin patch, ready to pick out their pumpkins!

They have the Three Little Pigs houses, checking out the house made out of hay.

In the one room school house. Stella was learning about one room school houses a couple weeks ago at school, I'm glad she was able to see one in person so close to learning about them.

Back in the corn pit! Stella ran into a friend from school when we stopped here for the second time. I just love her toothless smile!

I snapped this picture of Mike and couldn't believe that he didn't blink! I just had to share it with the world! LOL!!

Porter "Planking" in the corn. He's so trendy and doesn't even know it! ha ha!! He loved rolling all over the corn. At one point he stood up and had two kernels of corn stuck in his nose! Funny!

Celebrating 40 Years

We spent a long weekend in the Ozarks last weekend celebrating my parents 40th wedding anniversary. We had such a fun time, having the family all together. I've always admired both of my parents, but even more so now that I am a wife and mother. Their marriage is one full of respect, love, kindness and laughter!
I took so many photos and I apologize because these are all out of order, but it was overwhelming trying to decide which ones to upload. We really had a lot of fun and hopefully these photos do the weekend justice. Thanks mom and dad for giving me a great example of what a marrige should be! The ups and downs and the inbetweens!!!! :)
Sporting their 40 eye glasses. Mom and Vada at the lake

Porter and Isla

If you are happy and you know it, raise your hands!

Vada playing with her belly button!

Swimming in the lake! Only the kids were brave enough to get in that chilly water.

We toured Bridal Cave and it was very interesting for all of us (the guys were golfing).

Wes and his side kick, Isla.

The house had so many amenities. The video game Tron, ping pong, pool, air hockey, hot tub, etc. A great place for us to hangout!

Stella lost two teeth in the Ozarks. Luckily I remembered to pack her tooth pillow! Here she is with her tooth pillow, that Nana made her, Nana, and her tooth! :)

Playing monopoly with Papa

Vada and Pat

Porter miniature golfing.

We had a great time at Pirates Cove! A'hoy, Matey!

Stella holding Isla

The boys busy in the kitchen one night.

On the way to Go Kart!

The guys took the kiddos go karting while us women shopped at the outlets. It sounds like everyone had a blast racing around the track!

The grandkids in front of the signs they made for mom and dad.
Anna rolling down the hill with Stella!

Porter's 1st Day of Preschool

Porter started preschool today. He was SO excited!! Stella's been in school for over 2 weeks now, so he's been pretty bored with ole mom during the days! :) When he woke up he told me, "I can't believe I start school today!" Too cute. I took him shopping last week and let him pick out a new shirt for his big day. He choose this one that has a whale on it, which is perfect for him as he LOVES ocean life.
Mike and Porter this morning. Me and my baby boy!

Stella and Porter before loading into the car.

Outside the school, all smiles!

In front of his cubby. He was happy that his cubby was next to Sam's (Sam is a friend of his from last year). I was kind of hanging around the preschool this morning waiting for some of P's friends/parents from last year to show up so I could chat with them. Well, I had to be at work at the Y at 9 so at 8:45 I told Porter I had to leave to get to work and he said, "For real?". I said, "yes" his reply--- "Well then get going mom!". No tears from my little buddy. I'll miss him during the mornings for sure, but luckily I'll be working 2 of the 4 mornings he's gone.

Cyclone Country!

We decided to trek to Ames today and explore Reimen Gardens, The ISU Campus and Hickory Park for dessert!! :)
Reimen Gardens is such a fun place to explore. The kids have been here a couple of times, but neither one of them remembered it. Our first stop was the butterfly house. They loved this and outside the butterfly house there were a few displays full of butterflys coming out of their cocoons. Porter is trying to get a butterfly to land on his finger.

Last time we were at Reimen Gardens there was a dinosaur theme going on, dinosaur replicas were scattered throughout the gardens. This year was they had the Big Bug display, which was neat b/c a state park in Okoboji had the Big Bugs a couple summers ago and the kids really enjoyed seeing them again!

In front of the Praying Mantis.

Pretending she's being attacked by a giant spider!

Giant Ant!

Lots of lily pads
Pumping water through the frogs mouths.

The corn was 13 feet tall!

After we left the gardens we drove around campus town a bit and showed the kids the various dives we used to live in! Then we headed to campus. We parked right in front of Lake La Verne, and Sir Lancelot and Elaine (the swans) are in the background.

At the Campanile
Couldn't quite get it all in the photo!

It was a gorgeous day to be outside and we had a lot of fun spending our day in Ames. :)

Of course Stella found a huge tree to climb in!