Pumpkins and More

We kicked off the season with a trip to one of the many awesome farms in our area.  The farm we'd been visiting every year for pumpkin picking no longer offered this opportunity, so we headed for a new, unknown one.  And, oh boy, am I happy with the one we picked.  Between the pumpkin slingshot (!), the Living Playground, the 3 Sisters Spiral Maze, the House of Hay, and being one of only two families visiting that day, we had a blast!

G prepped and ready to fire with our "ammo".

J taking a shot.

Utilizing the weight of Baby #4 and a bit of flexibilty, I managed to score the title of "First Person to Hit the Target" and a free pumpkin!  Whoohoo!

G and J working together.

And it's off.

A's one-handed technique.

Another shot.

The five -- plus one -- of us.

Iver looking delicious.

My trio of cuteness -- with two lounging (?) scarecrows.

M enjoying the tractor.

Our One Year Old

On September 8th, Iver turned one!  With sunny skies and a small gathering of friends and family, we partied with our little guy in the backyard.  The "Happy Birthday" singing might just have been his favorite part of the festivities... 

Another first -- Iver's first ferry ride across the sound.

First Graders

Check out my first graders on their first day of school.

Along with their biggest fan.

And, amid a day of firsts, J lost her first tooth while snacking on apples after school.

Eastward Trek

Our trip back East to visit family and friends was a whirlwind of socializing, sun, and fairly drama-free flights with three kids, a 5+ month pregnancy, early morning departures, and late night arrivals.

Utilizing a local fitness circuit to burn off excess sitting-on-an-airplane-for-hours energy.

Both A and J scored in the "Expert" level at the log jump station.

Scootering was popular...

...as well as graham crackers.

A and J racing Garry.

Andrew and Iver checking each other out.

Playing ball with Ben.

Scootering with Rex and Gunnar.

Jorja's requested "action" shot.

The scooter gang -- A, J, Ben, Luke, Rex, and Gunnar.

Watching the scooter gang in a action.

The cousins -- less a napping Iver.

Garry and Linda's bustling clan of grandkids.

The Watzke Five.

Meg, Iver, and my blossoming belly.

Pool time at Missy's.

Viewing the harbor.

Our trio.

Loving the beach.

Exploring the ledge.

Wave running.

A sand mummy -- compliments of A, J, Kyle, Ryan, Jackson, and Clara.

The kiddos at our beach gathering.

Thanks for such a loving visit...

Single Parenting

for less than (but nearly) 48 hours brings forth an abundance of appreciation.  While Meg's travel schedule has dramatically decreased, there are the occasional "quick" trips here and there.  We love her returns.

Here we are less than 24 hours into her most recent departure.

Jorja "climbing" the window frame.

Anders "comforting" Iver.

I wonder how Baby #4 will fit into the mix.

Superhero Day

A and J's school organized a Superhero Day -- check out the results.

Green Lantern and Flash strike poses.

Facial expressions somewhere between hilarious and terrifying.

Iver thrown into the mix.

A and J just started t-ball.  Iver sporting their team cap -- Go Barracudas!

Easter egg hunt festivities.

Checking out their loot.

Last day of 2013 skiing!  Posing with their awesome instructor.

Skiing with mommy...

and Tiff.