Finley is 5 months

Trick or Treat

I love the month of October and the preparation for Halloween. As the kids get older it only gets more exciting. We visited Howell's Pumpkin Farm on possibly the coldest day of the month. Here I had the cutest outfit for Finley to take pictures in and she ended up wearing her snowsuit. We'll probably have to clue her in someday on what happened because her hat covered her eyes most of the day. 

Drake thought all the rotten pumpkins were the best. 

Drake riding on Belle, the wildest pony at the patch.

Not loving digging out the middle!

  

Lily looking for her "treat"

Working Mom of Two

I finally headed back to school the first week of October. The time spent home with Finley is irreplaceable and had off more than most. I feel fortunate that I really do love what I do and missed my coworkers. The mornings can be interesting, but we finally have a routine going. Finley goes to Diane who also watched Drake. Having Finley in a great home has made the transition very smooth. 

I'm not sure what Drake's issue was in this picture. He seemed to be more upset that I was going back to work then me. It's because who will tape the garbage trucks on Thursdays? I'm glad I won't be able to fulfill that duty anymore. The garbage men probably thought they had a stalker on their hands.

Hanging out with Dad

Iowa vs UNI

We try to take Drake to one Hawkeye game a year. This year has been pretty painful, but we always have a good time with family/friends. Drake got to tailgate with his bud Evan. That seemed to be more fun to Drake because we were only in the game for the first half. It was also about 95 degrees, so mom didn't argue too much.=)

Holding their "team cookie". It was very hard to get them to hold still.

Proof that we were in the game. Just after this photo Drake resorted to lying under the bench to shield himself from the sun~....Gross!

Our day wouldn't be complete without a garbage can sighting. Extra highlight...that it was Metro Waste!

Hello Fall....Finley's 4 months

I really tried to enjoy every minute of my maternity leave in September. We seemed to be on the go all the time. Finley is such a good baby and it will make it that much harder to go back to work.  Her cheeks keep expanding and she is looking more and more like Drake.

Drake graduating to a "big boy seat".
I think mom is more excited about it.

Finley enjoying her first bites of cereal. 

Celebrating at Great Grandma Frieda's 90th birthday. Drake hit the punch hard and had a red mustache for a week.

Finley Marie turned four months. I really don't know where the time has gone. She's such a happy girl and can melt my heart with her cute little smile. Big brother is gradually becoming more gentle...just as long as she stays away from his garbage trucks.

Drake dressing up in his Hawkeye gear for school. Finley also wearing her Hawk apparel. 

Drake is really gaining more of an interest in football. He loves the Waukee Warriors mostly because they practice right by his school. Brock took him to a freshman game. Not sure what he enjoyed more...the game or concession stand=)

Labor Day

We started September by taking a long Labor Day vacation to my parent's cabin on Lake Vermilion. The weather was perfect which doesn't always happen in Northern Minnesota. Drake has totally taken to swimming off the dock. It was so nice to strap on his life jacket and see him enjoy the lake water.

Drake enjoying an evening swim...Brr..

Finley being a bathing beauty

Vacation isn't all about relaxing. The boys cutting down a tree. Always a scary sight to see my dad with a chainsaw.Yikes!!

Finley is 3 Months!

I'm so excited to see Finley grow...but so sad how fast the time is going. She's such a happy baby and LOVES to eat. We're trying to adjust her schedule on eating so she's ready for day care. It's been a full time job keeping up with her. She's weighing in over 14 pounds and growing out of most of her cute little clothes. Makes me sad to put them away. Guess I'll have to buy more.=) I keep eyeing the calendar and seeing my time almost come to an end. I'm so thankful for having four months with her and excited to start back at work. Mornings may be a little stressful though!

Always trying to put something in her mouth. She's also become a thumb sucker. Ugh! 

Summer is Over!!

 I'm not sure where the summer went. Drake was excited to start his new pre-school Wee Warriors. It's a preschool/daycare that just takes Waukee teacher's kids. It was an adjustment at first and had a couple days of tears. Mostly over nap time. He now loves it especially when he can be a "helper". Wish he would show that enthusiasm about helping at home.

We took a small vacation to the Mall of America over my birthday. Not so easy to now drop two kids off with Brock and go shopping. 

 

New tractor at Papa and Nana's  

Drake is still excited to be able to see the garbage trucks when he gets home from school. We do have meltdowns when the truck beats us home.

 Drake still enjoys knocking over the can and smelling it. So weird!!!

 We went to a paint your own pottery place the day before school. Brock thought Drake painted all the pieces. Embarrassed to say I painted one. =)