Visit to the Apple Orchard with Grandma Ellyn's

This past weekend, the kids and I headed back to Rochester to celebrate my mom's birthday. My mom and the kids were ready for a full day at 8:20a, while I was struggling to get moving. We first headed to the farmer's market. After that on the way to the apple orchard, Grandma offered some sweets at Daube's bakery. So, we all stopped for donuts, except for Maren, who had an Obama cookie. With full bellies, we headed up to the orchard for a wagon ride, 2 corn mazes, apple, grape and pumpkin picking, and kitten holding.

After the orchard, we were supposed to head home for lunch, then to Oxbow zoo. After eating lunch, Grandma and me were pooped. We spent the afternoon relaxing and picking raspberries. We then picked up Grandma's birthday cake, dropped Connor off at his friend's Austin's for a reunion with his old classmates and then headed over to the Isaak's for good company and food. Brendan and Maren got to play with their friend, Jacob and his little brother, Jeepers (aka Grant). Grandma enjoyed a plethora of sports with Jim and Louise got to catch up with Carolyn. Fun was had by all. Then we headed home to crash!

Enjoy the pictures from the apple orchard. I have some from the birthday celebration coming!

Winter's Not Far Away

I ordered winter stuff for the kids this past week. Go to sierratradingpost.com for great deals! The boots and Brendan's snow pants came, so the kids were practicing for their first snow day. Brendan keeps asking me how many days until it snows and about how the leaves will fall off of the trees before it snows. What a smart (and cute) kid!


Maren and Brendan ready to face the elements!

My cute baby

Maren and her girl, Annie

(our mouse/bird/rabbit killer)

Brendan's First Day of Preschool in Duluth

Brendan has been counting down the days until his school started and it finally came. He was so excited that he packed his new green backpack full of "school supplies" and his Webkinz. It was almost bigger than him.

Brendan's New Preschool Teacher

Although Brendan hasn't started preschool yet here in Duluth, he did get a home visit from his new teacher. He, of course, was thrilled. He'll start next Tuesday and go 3 days a week (Tuesday thru Thursday). We both can't wait! We're working on him remembering her name. She also gave him homework, which he thought was really cool. He's got his homework, school supplies and backpack all ready to go for next week. The count down started last Tuesday (the day of the home visit).

Brendan and Mrs. Jennifer Sundahl

Another Knife River Outing

Well, a new adventure destination for us is the Knife River. It's just a few minutes north of us along Lake Superior and it's a great place to go exploring, swimming, minnow and crawfish catching, etc. We had been once with just us (see earlier blog), but over Labor Day weekend, Josh, Bridget and their kids joined us. Josh, me and the kids all enjoyed jumping off the rocks into a pool. Enjoy!


Louise, Maren, Bailey (cousin) and Brendan


Nolan (cousin) sunbathing







Josh jumping off the rocks with Bret cheering him on.











Then Connor's turn.




Then Nolan (above) and Maren (on the left).









And finally mom; who says that you can't walk on water?

School Open House and First Day of School

Thursday night, Maren and Connor had an open house at Lakewood Elementary School. Maren had already met her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Barnes, at Kindergarten Round-Up, but Connor was anxious to meet his teacher, who is new to Lakewood as well. We went to meet the new principal and teachers, drop off school supplies, check out classrooms, play on the new playground and eat ice cream. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING better than ice cream for dinner! M & M's, oreo cookies, jimmies, whipped cream, chocolate sauce--YUMMY!


Brendan (with his new backpack) and Maren
with hers walking hand in hand to Maren's
Kindergarten classroom. Brendan told Maren's
teacher that he was joining their class.


Brendan and Maren in Maren's classroom, playing.


Maren and Connor walking to the bus stop.


I got them to turn around (and smile).


Walking to get on the bus.


Maren getting off of her "little" bus.

Maren's going M, W and Friday half day and T and R full day.