Slim {apple} Pickings (September)

Michigan's apple production this year was awful (and if I remember correctly, it was pretty dismal outside of Michigan also).  Jason and I (and the kids) have a tradition of going to Crane's Apple Orchard each fall, so we ventured out on one of the only two weekends that they were open!  I was prepared for full out chaos from the other apple pickers, but it wasn't bad.  I never felt like we were crowding others, or being crowded.  Not all of my traditional apple picks were available, but I was happy with our selection given the situation.  

The very best apples were all high, so it was tricky for the kids to pick the usable apples - but that didn't stop them from trying.

I love this picture!

After picking our fair share, we went to the front to pay.  

We figured out where everyone was!  They were all standing in the obnoxious line to pay.  I totally understood the line, and our kids actually did very well!  We were in line for almost 45 minutes.  Oh, what we won't do for u-pick apples, and Honeycrisps?!?!?

(The red barn below is where you pay, and the line wrapped up and around the path)

Easton could only play with so many sticks before he succumbed to the pressure of eating an apple!

The wait to pay for our apples was worth it because of the apples, but... the donuts and cider (and pies and danish) that were waiting for us up at their restaurant made the wait even more sweet!  YUM!

1st Day of School - ThreeSchool and Kindergarten (August)

Two mornings a week my counter looks like this:

It takes a whole lot of nightly organizing to make sure everyone has their outfits, homework, backpacks, lunch for Quin...  I have NO idea how I am going to do this in two years when I have to do it every day!

Quin is now in Kindergarten {sniff, sniff}!  Our district closed the 'ECC' building, which used to house all of the K kiddos, and has now put them back into the neighborhood elementary schools.  And, Jason and I chose to do schools of choice, so that she can attend the school where I teach (we live in the district that I teach in, but have a different neighborhood school).  Our district also went to the 'all day, every day' model this year.  So...I get to bring her to school and home every day!  

I do LOVE that I get to see her many times throughout the day (she has to walk past my room to get to the main area of the school).  I also love that I know most of the kiddos in her class, can stop in to eat lunch with her, and keep an eye on her behavior!  She likes that I am there... most of the time ;)

 The triplets also started 'Threeschool' this year.  They go to the same preschool that Quin went to, and they are in the same class together!  They love going and it has been good for them to socialize with other kids their age (not just each other - ha!)

The first day of school for them was a shortened day, and a parent needed to accompany them.  Well, unfortunately it is the first week of school for me.  Jason brought them, along with our nanny (she does all of the transportation).  

 They are slightly thrown off because there is another Ellery in their class, AND her last name starts with an S also.  Crazy, huh?!?!?

 They painted the first day, so my kids bought into the idea of preschool immediately - they love paint!

 They love going, but tend to stick together most of the time.  Easton and Ellery are both more outgoing, and willing to take more risks.  They can name off other kids in their class that they play with.  Gianna is shy and introverted by nature.  She can tell me about the kids in her class, but doesn't really care to be friends with any of them.  Her answer, "Ellery and Easton are my best friends".  She also often talks about her teachers as her friends and playmates.

We are so fortunate to have wonderful teachers and schools for our children to go each day!  All four kids look forward to school - a huge thank you to everyone who makes their days happy, fun and educational!

Trailer-ing Trip #3 - Holland (August)

We spent the first two weeks of August closer to home!  We parked ourselves at Oak Grove in Holland, so we were only about 20 minutes from home.  

The campground itself was very nice, and we had the best spot ever!  Check out all of the green space!  We had to park there also, but the kids were so happy to have a big space to run and play in, and I was happy that I could easily keep an eye on them.  

Notice the one thing missing????  

A firepit :(  

They do not have firepits on their front sites, opting for a community firepit instead.  This was the one and only downside to the campground for me.  I loved cooking over the fire at the other campgrounds.  The community fire pit was on the complete opposite side from us, and it was just a pain to carry our food back and forth!  

The weather for those two weeks was downright cold and icky.  But, when possible, we took advantage of their pool.

The campground is less than a mile from the state park (Lake Michigan).  There were two ice cream places between us and the beach.  YUM!  Any exercise that I was doing was definitely negated by our daily ice cream ventures!

The best part of this 'trailer-ing' adventure was being reminded of the beautiful beach area that we live so close to!  I can't believe that we take it for granted!

We took the time to hike up the stairs to the top of Mt. Pisgah.

Because it was so cold, we didn't go in the water much - but, the kids loved to go and watch the boats go in and out of the channel.  

We were able to enjoy the beach once during our stay!

I am so glad that we were close to home!  I would have gone crazy in close quarters, with the cold weather those two weeks!  It actually worked out well though... we went out to the trailer for the fun and we spent time at home getting ready for the fall and for school to start (and I didn't feel guilty)!

And, because of this trip, it has made me want to go to the beach 'closer to home' more often!  I needed that reminder!

Ludington Week #1 (July)

{Sigh}  We are still alive and having many adventures!  

Unfortunately, early in the fall we were hit with a virus - a nasty computer virus! - and it has taken us this long to recover.  UCK!  It mixed up all of my picture files and dismantled all of my photo editing tools.  We are finally fixed, files located and back to normal, and ready to go!  So... what does that mean to you?!?!?  A quick walk through memory lane!  I will try to make it quick, with less words.  Nothing like pictures of my tan kids in this cold icky weather!  I took over 1,000 pictures during the two weeks we were in Ludington, so it was hard to narrow it down.  Sorry!

Well, where did I leave off....????

Oh that's right, trailer-ing ;)  My last post talked about our first two week adventure at Hungry Horse.  

Our second trip, which was also two weeks, was by far my favorite of the our three trips.  Jason was off from work the entire time and it felt like a real vacation - not me trying to parent alone, in a small confined space!

We spent the entire time at Poncho's Pond, in Ludington.  The first week of this trip we were there alone, while the second week my family joined us.  

Those of you who know me well, know that I am a big meal planner.  Ask, and I can tell you what we are having for dinner any night of the week!  The fact that I didn't have a real food plan on our first trip drove me nuts!!!  Although I didn't plan each meal for a specific night, my 'over planned' side felt much more calm knowing that I had the food and the plans for a meal, if needed.  I think we ended up making all but one of the dinner options.

We had beautiful weather during our visit to Ludington!  We found several different beaches - all of which were perfect!!!

 See how they actually stood facing the camera when they were with Jason???  Not so much for my turn :(

Poncho's Pond also had an indoor and an outdoor pool, so we spent a ton of time in both of them!

There was a fair at the local county fair grounds, which were just a couple blocks away from where we stayed.  One evening, Jason took Easton to the tractor pulls - yee haw!  I don't know how they sat that close to them.  I could hear them from the trailer!  Easton was in heaven though, and couldn't stop talking about the tractors and trucks!

 While the boys played, the girls and I went out for ice cream and found a fabulous waterfront playground - it was gorgeous!!!  We were able to sit right along the edge of the water as the SS Badger car ferry was docking for the evening.  

 You can see the car ferry coming in, up on the right of the channel opening.

At night the fair set off a great firework show.  We sat in a parking lot straight across from where they launched the fireworks.  Such a neat (and loud) way to view them!

 We even spent the day (and a small fortune) at the actual fair!

One of our favorite places to eat out was House of Flavors - so yummy!!!  Good food, lots to look at and great ice cream!!!

 Ellery LOVES ice cream, and would often finish everyone's last few bites.  

There was one day that was gloomy, so we headed inside to Sandcastles Children's Museum.  It was small and quaint, but very well done!  It kept our foursome entertained for several hours!

One of the things the kids missed after our trailering trips were over, was dessert over the fire!  They loved putting together s'mores, hobo pies, roasting marshmallows and making 'campfire' cones!

 Hanging out by the fire!  (Notice how close the campfire is to the road!!!)

Just because I love this picture ;)

So, here is my complaint... I hated our site!  It was awful for kids!  They put us on a site that our trailer barely fit on, and we had to park on the grass across the road (the picture below was taken from where we parked).  And, it was on a fork in the road - so we had speeding cars on both sides of us.  Our kids were bummed that they couldn't ride there bikes, and I couldn't turn around for a second.  

I try very hard to abide by the saying, "you get what you get, and you don't get upset".  I just couldn't this time!  After waiting a few days, and then a few more days of nice but firm 'complaining', we moved to a larger site (one that, in my opinion, was actually made for a trailer of our size).  It was spacious and on a much quieter street.  This change saved my opinion of Poncho's Pond!!!