Pumpkin picking

The kids finally have their pumpkins! I say finally because Alex has been asking to go and get pumpkins for a good 3 weeks now. Ever since he saw one sitting on an overly-excited neighbor's step - he keeps asking when we can get ours. This is also the kid who picked out his and Lauren's Halloween costumes weeks ago. And now, he's already talking about Santa and looking at toy magazines and asking when Santa is going to bring him that stuff - he's a marketing dream come true. So, we went one evening this week and the kids were able to pick out their own pumpkins - they did a great job and were very excited about the ones they picked - even Lauren got into it!

Gaga's visit

Gaga (Grandma O'Brien for those of you who don't know - Alex came up with that name all on his own and it has stuck) came up the last weekend of September to help Aunt K babysit the kids while Drew and I went to a friend's wedding. The kids and I think it's safe to say, their aunt and Gaga had a great time. The kids learned how to play "Simon Says" from Aunt K and needless to say, we have to play it every night now. It's hilarious. Both kids and their parents doing silly things because Simon Says and laughing hysterically! That's us every night at about 7:30! And then the kids and I spent the next day in Stillwater doing some shopping and visiting the Teddy Bear Park - the kids were so excited to show Gaga one of their favorite places. And of course we had to visit a park by our house too that every time we drive by Alex exclaims, "Mom, we need to go to that park with Gaga sometime." So this was the time. Here's some pictures that my mom took with her new camera - yes, she's getting better!

Yup, they love each other!

Alex and Lauren's new favorite thing is to hug and wait for our praises. Alex will say, "Give me a big hug." And Lauren then wraps her arms around him super tight and then they both have huge grins. Lauren first did this unprovoked and Alex was so happy that she hugged him, he told us, "Mom and Dad, we're best friends." Talk about making us melt. Well since they saw our excited reaction of the newfound sibling love - they now do this every day - even posed for the camera!!

Our trip to the Apple Orchard

Drew and I took the kids to the local apple orchard this weekend. We had a great time and the kids loved it. We took a hayride behind a tractor - both kids went wild over this, picked a bunch of apples (Alex loved picking them - Lauren loved eating them), and played on piles of hay. It was a beautiful day and it was a nice fall activity. We brought home $15 worth of apples that we picked ourselves so tomorrow Alex is going to help me bake an apple crisp. Alex was so hot after running around a bunch, he asked for his water, took a sip, and said, "AHH, that hit the spot!" Hilarious - where he learned that I will never know.