Apple Picking

Anyone who has spent time with me in the fall knows that I LOVE to go apple picking! Although my husband does not share my level of enthusiasm for this particular activity, my girls do! How fabulous it is to be on the East Coast where all the apple varieties are tasty and the drive to the orchard takes a mere 20 minutes.

Grandma Kneen shared in the excitement this week as we went to Homestead Farm to pick Empire and Jonagold apples. Kaitlyn made friends with the farm pigs and chickens before tearing off into the trees to yank apples at record speed. Claire was a little more selective, waiting for guidance with which were ready to harvest. (Or maybe she was just waiting to make sure there were no bees...Kaitlyn sprinted away screaming dozens of times as bees lit on the apple she was about to pick!)

Put That Thing Away!

Jack is making all kinds of fun faces these days, and I can't resist pulling out the camera every few days to document new ones! Here are some favorites from the past week.

"Real Parents"

The much-anticipated visit from Aunt Jo and Uncle Kyle was this past weekend. We went straight from the airport to the outlets, which could have spelled trouble for Matt and Kyle...except that they did all the buying! We took the scenic route home and got to ride on a historic ferry boat (without waiting for an hour like the suckers on the other shore!)

On Sunday we headed downtown for a guided driving tour, courtesy of Matt, and a trip to the National Zoo. It seems that 90 percent of the animals were seeking refuge from the heat by hiding indoors or camouflaging themselves in the shade, but we had fun anyway. It was on the drive home--when the girls ignored all warnings to keep their hands to themselves and to sing "nicely and quietly, or not at all!"--that Jo and Kyle made their title observation: "Now you are REAL parents!" Our days of being poster parents with sweet, model children are over. We have officially reached the disciplinarian stage. Children, beware! Everyone else, bring ear plugs!

I'm pretty sure that the girls wore out Jo and Kyle with all their games, but they didn't seem to mind. The girls were delighted...as were we! And Jack was ready with soothing snuggles once the girls were tucked into bed! Thanks for a great visit.

Meet the Family

This past weekend, the five of us headed north to the Adirondacks for the first Noyes Family Reunion. My aunt Vicki and uncle Rudy hosted the extended family for the weekend at Crystal Lake, where the girls swam and played in the sand, roasted marshmallows at their first bonfire, and followed their older cousins around everywhere. Jack, for his part, was content to be held all weekend.

Jack at Three Weeks

Here's Jack at three weeks. We have close-ups of both of the girls at this age, so Jack had to pose for a few shots. We may get better ones yet this week, but this is a start!

Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy

Jack got a new bouncy seat! With three kids to keep track of, I needed something easily transportable to put Jack in when I'm running around with the girls. At least, that was the plan. Kaitlyn and Claire are fascinated with this new toy, constantly turning it on vibrate and strapping all of their doll babies into it. Jack will get to use it eventually.

Lounging Around

Grandma Hartings did all the running these past two weeks--to the park, the library, the baby pools out back--while Jack and I took it relatively easy indoors. This week I'm on my own with the kids...and the lounge act is over!