Halloween Pumpkins!

Grandpa and Oma came over to help carve pumpkins today.  Grandpa did the one on the left, Alessia did the Spiderman symbol (Ethan is going as Spiderman), and Ethan and mamma did the one on the right.  I think they turned out pretty good!  

Lucia and Ethan examining the "pukins" as Lucia says.  

Chicago Visit

Ethan, Lucia and I went to Chicago last weekend to visit Chiara, James, Norah, and Luca.  Ethan and Lucia had a blast playing with their cousins!  This was Chiara's family room after about 10 minutes of play- Ethan loved playing with all of Norah's toys!

We had this for dinner one night- it was delicious!  A pizza with a roasted garlic "sauce" topped with roasted butternut squash, roasted mushrooms, bacon, fontina cheese, and topped with arugula- it was great!

We went to the Brookfield Zoo while we were in Chicago.  We took in the dolphin show and sat in the "splash zone" during the show.  Chiara and I were not too thrilled about the seats- but when Ethan was asked what his favorite part of the show was- he said watching the dolphin jump in the air and splash us- so I guess it was worth it. 

Ethan and Norah fight over one of those cut out picture things. 

Uncle James gives Ethan a better view of the Giraffes. 

I think they were my favorite at the zoo- Giraffes are so cool!

Chiara and I took Ethan and Norah to this indoor play yard called the "Tree House."  Basically it was a giant jungle gym for toddler-8 year-olds with slides, monkey bars, steps, tunnels, bridges, etc.  Ethan and Norah spent a good hour running their butts off!  This it Ethan during a break- I love how red his face is!

Ethan had so much fun in Chicago playing with Norah!  He did not want to go home- so he went back down to Chicago this past weekend with Nonna (who was going to babysit).  Jim and I sure did miss Ethan when he was gone- but I'm glad he got to spend more time with his cousins! 

Fall Fun

This was a few weeks ago at Blandford . . . it's much colder now!  Lucia enjoying the fall leaves. 

Ethan, Lucia, Grandma Sue and I went to a local pumpkin farm/country store a few weeks ago to pick out some pumpkins.  There were some fun activities for the kids- like this slide out of one of the barns.  They also had some goats and bunnies the kids could pet.  The petting area made me nervous because there were a ton of kids all grabbing at the animals and nobody there to regulate!  Goats were trying to escape!

Grandma and Lucia found a nice pumpkin.  Lucia is turning into quite the litter talker- Grandma Sue was telling Lucy that they had to push the cart, and Lucia kept repeating "push . . . push."  Lucia can also say "pumpkin"- it's pretty cute!

Ethan dropping rotten pumpkin parts into another pumpkin- it was kind of disturbing! 

Family Photo Session

Last weekend we had a photo sessions with Heather Abram of Heather Abram Photography (she is on facebook!).  Heather suggested this old barn out in Allendale.  It was a lovely spot- and pretty popular given there were probably 7 other groups of people/photographers!  Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot- I had such a hard time choosing! 

Ethan being Ethan.  It took him a good 20 minutes to warm up- but Heather was able to get him to smile!

I love those blue eyes. 

I love this picture of Jim and I! 

Lucia and her mamma. 

He takes such nice photos when he cooperates! 

I love this family shot of us. 

Ethan and Lucia. 

I think this one is pretty great :-)

My baby girl! I can't believe how fast she is growing!

Another nice family shot. 

I love the serious stare Lucia is giving the camera!

Thank you again Heather- the pictures are lovely- I'm going to have a hard time choosing which ones to print!

Corn Maze!

We headed to a corn maze last weekend with some of my siblings and their children.  It was HOT- I was over dressed in dark jeans and a t-shirt and felt bad for the pregnant lady I saw heading into the maze in jeans and a black shirt.  Chiara and I looked at each other and agreed that she was not going to make it out!

While we were waiting for the tractor to take us to the maze, there was a cute little play ground for the kids.  Here's Luca playing in the "sand box" of corn kernels!  Doesn't he look like he is having a great time!

Ethan and Norah lead the expedition through the maze.  Eventually an adult took charge to get us out of there quickly- did I mention it was hot last weekend?

Chiara in the maze taking a break. 

We did it!  With strollers!  It was a pretty fun maze and only took us about 40 minutes. 

James and Chiara on the tractor ride. 

Doesn't Lucia look comfortable!

Jim enjoying the ride back to the cars. 

James, Luca, Ethan, Norah, and Alessia riding back.  It was a fun outing, but we all wished it was 10 degrees cooler that day!  Although, as I write this it is 50 degrees outside and I'm missing summer!

Lucia and Luca

Trying to get a picture of these guys playing next to each other was pretty difficult!  They were always wandering in different directions . . . .

or holding balls in front of their faces . . . 

containment was pretty much the only option!  They sure did love the wagon ride. 

Aunt Cecca pulled them all around Nonna's yard.  The kids loved it!  Lucia loved it so much she threw up a little bit- it was a pretty bumpy ride, and they had just finished dinner!  

Pumpkins at the Gardens!

Lucia's favorite things are toy balls- or balls of any kind.  So, when she was thrilled when she saw this "buh" field- she was pretty sure they were all hers!

Trying to climb some of the pumpkins!

Ethan cooperating with a family picture (minus Jim- he had to work)

Ethan and mamma having a lovely conversation in our tea garden!

A pretty flower in the Arid Garden. 

Some of the mums they have around the gardens- they sure are colorful!

Saturday at Meijer Gardens

On Saturday the kids and I met Nicholas, Sunny, Ivana, Chiara and James at Meijer Gardens.  It was a beautiful day!  I love this time of year at the Gardens because they have all the mums and pumpkins out. 

Ethan helped his sister through the little door near the Children's Garden. 

Lucia loved running all around the big horse!  

Nick, Sunny, and Lucia taking a break. 

Chiara and Lucia engaged in a staring contest!  I think Lucia is winning. 

Ethan pretending to be shy.  We tried to get him to lay down underneath the horse hoof that is slightly off the ground "so it looks like the horse is going to stomp you" - but he wouldn't do it!

Group shot- where's Ethan?  See the next photo.  Ethan is in a stage right now where every time I ask him to take his picture he looks down/away/ or just leaves the area.  

Here's Ethan- all by himself.