My Raquel

My little girl is growing up. On the way home from church today she told me that she no longer wants to be a princess or a swimmer when she grows up but a teacher like at her school.

Pumpkin Patch

Another activity that we enjoyed last year while dad was gone was the local pumpkin patch. Unfortunately this year it wasn't as great. Last year we went on opening weekend and were there right when they opened. So there weren't too many people, and still lots of pumpkins to choose from in the field. This year it seemed like we had to pay for everything (parking, hayride, very expensive pumpkins), it was very crowded and the pumpkins were already picked and put in piles in the field. We took a hayride to the pumpkin patch but left empty handed. A very disappointing trip since the girls and I had so much fun last year.

The girls did enjoy looking at all the farm animals and Natalya rode a horse while Raquel choose to have her face painted. We ended up getting a big pumpkin at Walmart which would have cost more than $25 at the pumpkin patch.

Pumpkin Patch

Taking a hay ride

Posing in the pumpkin patch.

Riding a horse

Checking out the farm animals

Face painting

MRE Dinner

This weekend we had a fun dinner, military style. Mike brought home a couple MRE's that he hadn't eaten during his drill weekend a few weekends ago and we decided to make a fun meal out of them with the girls. Mike showed us how to cook them and we all sampled the two different meals of Sloppy Joe's and Chicken Enchiladas. I'd have to admit that they tasted a lot better than expected. Although they would get a little old if you had to eat them for every meal everyday. I have a much better respect for the military personal that have to eat them often. The girls had fun helping dad mix the drinks but I think they enjoyed the dessert the best.

Helping dad make dinner.

Natalya trying to eat the gum while still in the package before dinner.

Raquel helping make our mystery orange drink.

Yummy! She had to drink it like the Military personal do, in the bag.

Out of a glass just isn't as much fun.

Sisterly Love!

Natalya really has surprised me on how kind and loving she is towards her little brother Marcus. She was such a Mama's girl before Marcus was born that I thought she would had separation issues with not getting all my attention and take it out on the only one in the house smaller than her. But that thinking was far from what is real. Both girls love Marcus and want to hold him like he is a new toy but Natalya really goes out of her way to show her love. She is so helpful when I change Marcus' diaper. She is right there handing me a new one and takes the dirty ones to the garbage for me. If there is anything for the baby lying around (examples: binky's, blankets, toys) she constantly hands it to me in case Marcus needs it and she also loves to get up and lay next to him whether its on the couch or bed. She will lay there with her arm around him and snuggle. She is such a great big sister!

Romp n' Roll

Mike had National Guard Drill this weekend and so the girls and I played. Saturday we went to Romp N' Roll's grand opening party where the girls ran around for a couple of hours. They have a little gym with all sorts of fun stuff to climb on, over, under and through. The girls had a bubble party, fun with foam paddles, dancing to music, eating cake, getting balloons and meeting Rompie the mascot Dog. Both girls were exhausted by the time we left but they had so much fun, I even signed Natalya up for a weekly class that combines both gym time and an art class because she had so much fun.

Mike was able to get home early Sunday afternoon and so we all enjoyed a walk to the park to play with the dogs and some friends.

Hanging around at Romp N' Roll

Natalya trying to climb the rock wall

Playing with balloons and paddles

At the romp n' roll gym they had fun music playing the whole time and the girls loved dancing to it. Here is a cute video of them showing off their moves. If you listen closely you can hear that the song they are dancing to is Dancing Queen by ABBA, appropriate I think!

Picking Beans!

We planted lots of fruits and veggies this year in our garden and most didn't do to well except for the bean plants we planted in our front yard along out drive-way. The girls loved going out and picking a few beans and eating them raw. Here they are picking the last of the beans for the season which we enjoyed for a couple of meals.

New Kitchen

After months of work we finally have a beautiful working kitchen. We still have to paint the walls and put up trim but its so nice being able to have a fridge in the kitchen, big enough cabinets to fit my pots and pans and other cooking supplies in and not to mention beautiful cabinets, appliances and counter tops. I sure have a great husband! He was willing to put in hour and hours of work destroying and building walls and floors and eat in a makeshift kitchen in the basement for months. But now we have a wonderful new kitchen that I love to cook in and I'll make sure I make plenty of yummy cookies and treats for Mike to say thanks for all his hard work!

Fire Station

We took the kids to the Fire Station open house again this year. They really enjoyed it so much last year we had to go back. It was a lot colder this year and made spraying the fire hose a little cold and we would have enjoyed hot chocolate more than root beer floats but the girls had fun doing all the activities. It was fun having daddy here this year to help with all the kids since we had one extra with Marcus.

Raquel practicing her water hose skills

Natalya was even big enough this year to hold the hose.

Enjoying their treats!

Jumping in the bouncy house.

Natalya had fun playing in the fire truck until she

looked over and saw Sparky the fire dog. She started to cry and

Sparky realizing what he did quickly exited the truck.

Dad even got into the fire station fun!

One Month Birthday!

Today is Marcus's one month birthday and my 32nd.

We had a busy day of making cupcakes, doctors visits, a play date, swimming and dinner. The girls and I got flu shots while Marcus had his one month visit. He checked out fine and is growing well!

Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz (25%)

Height: 21 in. (25-50%)

Head Size: 13 3/4 in. (10%)

The girls had fun helping make birthday cupcakes and enjoyed eating them even more!