Making Memories...

*the kids with Chris and Linds

Ben, Brian, and Chris went to a men's camping retreat a few weekends ago through our church and Lindsey (Chris' wife) stayed back with me and the kids for the weekend...she's a brave soul. :) We all had a great time!

Resting in their "fancy clothes" after church. Luke is loving "dressing up" for church...all through the week. This includes him saying, "he's getting facny for church" and draping himself with whatever jewelry is in my bottom right drawer of my jewelry box! (This is the only spot he's allowed to get into.) Elle is just cute as can be in her leggings and dress. :) 

Ellie with no swaddle, no music, no pacifier, no blankie, no rocking and she is out like a light. Any mom knows...this is priceless.

Out of order...but had to show this sweet, tender moment.

My beautiful family.

Daddy's girl.

Note: If you see Patrick Brang...do not talk about this picture.

My MOST favorite time of the day. Both children are fed, clean, and all happy and snuggled in their jammies for the night and now we can all enjoy our nightly bedtime story time! All four of us realx in Lukey's bedroom before his bedtime to enjoy this quiet time together. Ben is reading Luke's favoite book right now, Bob the Builder. The last week or so he's also been into the Giving Tree and The Little Engine That Could. 

Luke loves having his buddy Ellie right next to him!

Elle all snuggled in her new jacket from Grandma Cooley. She is so trendy in her North Face. I was like 20 when I first got a North Face anything. (just saying)

Just a typical morning routine. Teeth brushed. Vitamins. Face washed. Potty. And wait...Luke where is your underwear? Of course. I should have guessed. It's hanging from the curtain rod.

The other night Luke built an airplane in our lving room. He put 4 chairs in a row. The 2 in the middle are for mommy and daddy, and the 2 on the end are for the kids. We were all "flying" to " Grandma's Beach". He then had a blast packing the airplane's trunk with all of his favorite things...including his bball hoop and hand soap.

I just had to show you the sequence of moves Ellie does when she's waking up.

Step 1: Open swaddle. Pose for mama.

Step 2: Begin the stretch.

Step 3: Think it over a bit. Don't want to move to fast.

Step 4: The full on cheerleader stretch.

Step 5: Thinking, "Do I want to cry?"

Step 6: No. Decided to just sleep a few more minutes.

We were so fortunate to be able to take a mid-week trip up to Traverse City to see my Grandpa and Grandma Johnson off for Florida. It has been a long time since I have been up there during the fall! The trees are just beautiful especially looking at them over the bay on the bluffs. Just layer after layer of bright fall colors. WE love it up there! We were also feeling blessed to have both GGs see their grandchildren and have them meet Elle Marie for the first time. We named her Marie after this Grandma and me. So special to be able to watch her hold Ellie and talk to her.

These pictures, to us, are priceless.

4 generations of us ladies!

A picture of worn and wise...with pure and innocent.

Enjoying the view of the bay from GG's house.

On our trip we also got to see my cousins Lynds and Nick, their daughter Ella, and my Aunt Deb. Ella and Luke loved painting, playing, and even bathing together. LOVE this family and wish we could see them more often.

After a fun-filled trip and long drive home, Grandpa had enough energy to mow the lawn! Luke didn't. He fell asleep on Grandpa's lap right after I took this pic. :)

We wrapped up last week with a fun trip to Spicer's Apple Orchard with Bing, Carson, Laney, Mr. and Mrs. Z., and my mom! Always our favorites to spend time with and we love watching our kiddos grow up together...just like we did. :) Now, if I can just get them closer to MI!

A proud mama moment: I couldn't pick just one, so....

Love em!

A crispness in the air...

Lukey has really been loving on Ellie. This makes our lives much easier (and happier!) that we don't have to worry when he is around her or if we leave the room.

Me and my girl.

Cutest lil face!

So Luke has totally been into Bob the Builder (that is what he is being for Halloween!) and pretending to be a fireman. This fireman business was inspired by his best buddy Ayrton. :) So now, Luke is non-stop wearing his fireman hat, fireman boots, and carrying a phone in each pocket so he won't miss an important call in case of a fire!

I love our morning routine...maybe I brush my teeth and wash my face before Luke's drop-off at Meghan's but let's be real, most of the time it's after...it's great. We just have to get Luke on the potty, wash his face, brush his teeth, water down his crazy bed head, a cup of milk with his Flintstone vitamin (he eats all of the purple ones first, then all of the reds, and saves the orange for last). Then we get Elle in her car seat while trying not to wake her up because then she wants to eat...Luke is slowly learning how to whisper to make this happen. :) 

Ellie is awake (not hungry...yet!) looking pretty in pink. Hurry, let's go!

My 2 lovebugs.

Our fire station downtown was hosting an open house so OF COURSE Luke and Ayrton had to go! They had fun chomping on popcorn, spraying the big hose, terrrorizing the fire trucks, and just being goofs. See a clip below...

Spending time with just us girls...

Notice those cheeks...I just want to eat em' up!

Tummy time is starting to get easier!

Loving those dancing bears...

...and now off to a snooze.

I love this pic! Meghan sent this to me while Lukey was over there. 2 best buds=smiling kiddos!

I took the kids to the park downtown Rochester last week. It was a perfect Michigan fall day. All of the leaves were in full color and no jacket needed. Luke was in for a treat because they were replacing the mulch on the playground to the new rubber flooing. This meant lots of "diggers" digging up the mulch and dumping it into the back of the dump trucks. After watching this for awhile we were ready to go feed the ducks! Luke was all pumped and had fun until all 50 ducks started chasing him for more food. By the end he was standing behind me to ward off any lingering ducks and I was cracking (or should I say quaking) up watching all of the little girls (1/2 the size of Luke) having a ball feeding them. Don't worry Luke, this will be our little secret. :)  

Luke the fireman!