APPLE PICKIN'

Another fun weekend in Iowa City at Grandma's house! We have started a new tradition. The tradition being, for the past two years, when Lee goes on his squirrel hunt weekend, that the boys and I go to Iowa City and take a trip to the Apple Orchard. We took off right after work on Friday. Saturday morning, Josh and Liz joined us at my mom's. A couple weeks ago, Josh proposed and Liz said yes!...so, Liz and I went wedding dress shopping on Saturday! It was fun and good time spent with Liz! When the boys woke up from their naps on Saturday, we headed out to the Apple Orchard. It was a cool day and both boys had quite the cough, but we still enjoyed our time and the experience. However, our experience this year was much different than last year's. This year, there were hardly any apples left on the trees! We walked and walked and couldn't find any. The last couple trees that we found had some good green apples, so we did get some at least. We took the tractor back to the barn and had some terrific apple turnovers and apple donuts. Yum! It was another great and busy weekend! With the apples that I brought home, I made my first ever homemade apple pie! And luckily, it turned out great!

Liz, Tyler, Josh, Grandma Mary, Brady, and myself.
Tyler, as Johnny Appleseed.

Brady, as Johnny Appleseed with Tyler as his catch for the day.

Me with the boys on the tractor ride.

Running to get some apples.

We polished off two red apples that we found under a tree.

I told him to smile and this was the pose he gave me.

They really liked these red apples.

Finally, we found some apples on the actual tree! Mom and Rita helped the boys pick some apples for their baskets.

There was a great double rainbow after we got back to Grandma's house.

Grandma and Brady checking out the rainbows.

"I LOVE PUDDING!"

Brady absolutely loves pudding! He said this much clearer before I picked up the camera. He's talking more often now and I'm sure that we are the only ones that can understand him, but we are loving listening to him talk and learn new words daily!

TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE STAR

Brady's favorite song, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

AIR SHOW

Our airport had an air show this past Saturday. We, along with Lee's parents, took the boys over to see all the airplanes and the helicopter. It was an extremely chilly morning, but still fun. Here's some pictures of the boys in the helicopter.

Tyler, staring at the pilot of the helicopter, with a grin on his face.

They even got to drive!

There they are--happy as can be!

The actual air show wasn't until 1-3, which was the boys' much needed nap time. However, the airport is just across the interstate from our house, so we were able to see the airplanes from our living room window. It was pretty crazy and cool to watch!

IOWA VS. IOWA STATE GAME DAY

Our friends had a big Iowa vs. Iowa State party on Saturday. We were over at their house for the majority of the day (morning to night), with a quick break back home for the boys to take a nap. We took the boys over in their UNI gear, but the hosts of the party are huge Iowa State fans and had made the kids Iowa State T-shirts to wear. I have never seen our boys in cardinal and gold before! It was a gorgeous day and there were MANY kids for the boys to play with. Course, I may have seen 1 or 2 plays of the entire game, while spending most of my time watching those many kids run around and play. Lee enjoyed his time out on the back deck with the rest of the men. They had moved a TV out to the deck for the day so that the great weather could be enjoyed! We had tons of great food and a great day with friends! And not sure if it was because my boys were wearing Iowa State shirts, but Iowa State pulled through with the win! ...I stayed strong in my Hawkeye shirt!

Tyler, Caden, Brady, and Cody
Most of the kiddos.
Iowa State vs. Iowa
"Go Football!"

Caden, Tyler, and Micah. The three 3 year-olds.

The kids wrestling with Lee at the end of the night.

Brady and Camryn. Too cute!!!

FIRST DAY OF PRE-SCHOOL

Finally, the day that Tyler has been waiting for has come and gone! He spent 2 1/2 hours of his morning at his first day of pre-school today, Wednesday, Sept. 7th! He loved every second of it!

I still left the house at my normal time and took Brady to daycare. When Brady and I left, Tyler still had another hour and 15 minutes to spare before he needed to leave for school. I could tell that it was going to be a really long hour for him and Lee, as Tyler was ready to leave as soon as he jumped out of bed this morning!

We took a few pictures outside before we left. Lee took the day off so that he could take Tyler to his first day and then pick him up. He took some great pictures for me, since I wasn't able to take a day or even a 1/2 day off of work.

Tyler had a great time at school today. He said that he got to sit by his friends, Caden and Micah. He got to play alot, which made him happy! He painted a picture of a school bus yellow, which is now hung on our fridge. He sang some songs, ate snack, and liked his teachers. Successful first day of pre-school!

Lee said that when he picked Tyler up, he seemed extremely exhausted. Tyler didn't speak much on the way to daycare, just sat in his carseat and smiled. I'd say that we have a pretty happy 3 year old little boy!

Here he is showing off his new Dinosaur Backpack.
A really excited 3 year old Tyler and a really sad 2 year old Brady.
Tyler was excited for school. Brady just wanted Mom.

Brady's tears aren't even phasing Tyler.

As you can see, Brady needed to wear his backpack as well this morning.

Even had to wear the backpack in the car on the way to daycare.

Tyler running on the way up to the building for school. His school is actually located in our church, so it is very familiar to him.

Getting ready to go down to school and say hi to his teachers.

This is my favorite picture of him from today!!!

Found his best bud, Caden, the second he entered school.

Caden and Tyler playing cars. Pretty sure that these two are going to be inseperable!

Look at that beautiful yellow bus that Tyler painted today!

NATALIE'S BABY SHOWER

The boys and I went to Dysart yesterday, Saturday, Sept. 3rd, for my cousin Natalie's baby shower. Nolan John Ross is one month old and looking and doing great! He was a great baby the whole shower and it was good to see Natalie in her new role as a mommy. It was also good to see all of my cousins, aunts, and grandma!
Lee couldn't have been happier that the shower fell on the same day as opening weekend of college football! He actually left the house not too long after we did yesterday morning to go look for a new dishwasher and then he got to enjoy the rest of the day in Ames for the UNI vs. Iowa State football game! He had a great day and watched a good football game. However, the football game did not end the way we wanted to, with Iowa State scoring within the last minute to win the game.

Here's a picture of us with Nolan. Brady was all about holding Nolan and giving him kisses on the head. Tyler, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with him.

Funny Story! Last night, I had the boys in the bath. I could see Tyler's wheels moving in his head. This is what was said.
"I went to Natalie's baby shower. But I never got to see her in the shower!"

He was so confused!

And after I gave a quick little outburst of a giggle, I tried to explain.

"A baby shower and a wedding shower, means that we shower them with gifts!"

He was still so confused!

"So that means you put the presents in the shower?"

"No honey. Showering them with gifts just means that we bring them lots and lots of presents."

Too Cute! I absolutely love these moments!!!

PRE-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

We went to pre-school open house last week. Tyler will be starting pre-school this Wednesday, the 7th! He is very excited and got even more excited after seeing his classroom, playing with the toys, and meeting his teachers. I have no worries about him and school. He is going to do amazing!!!

Tyler and friends playing with the sand box. This and the "bike room" were his favorites.
Brady also enjoyed his time at school!