Halloween 2015

For the fall party at church, Jonah is about to be swallowed up, and Miriam is taking good care of her baby brother, Moses.

Then off to get some candy as Mary Poppins and Bert!

Wea Creek Orchard

The crop was bountiful enough for us to pick apples this year!  We had a lovely morning with friends riding on the tractor and roaming through the orchard.

Fair Oaks Farm

Grandma and Grandpa Pieper visited us for Labor Day weekend, and we took them to one of the final items on our IN to-do list.  I was perhaps more enthralled than even the kiddos were - you are able to take a bus through the cow stables and then see the milking facility, visit the pig farm with is thousands upon thousands of pink beauties, and indulge in creamy cheese and ice cream made by all the Bessies.  Soooooo appealing to my nerd side (which let's be honest, is a fairly big part of me)!

They had a dairy good time on the cowousel

We saw this momma give birth, and this was her first kiss with her babe

 Our little piggies

 Quinn sharing a moment with a just-born piglet

Gobble Again

Our favorite trail was flooded out when we went to Turkey Run a couple of months ago, so we went again this weekend and did "The Ladders."  It was Whit's first time walking up them on his own, while Quinn had the privilege of riding in the sedan chair.  A great day out in nature.

Whit was the official guide, equipped with map and all

Giggles abound with these two

My favorite part - the creek bed

The ladders!

Kindergarten!

Our traditional "first day" breakfast of champions

Packed and ready to go!

He's leaving behind two ladies who will miss him very much.  But I am so excited for this next chapter of his life to begin!

Piano Recital

Whit had his first piano recital this weekend! His confidence is growing so much, and he had a blast playing. So fun to see him express himself through music.

Summer in MN

Perfect potted orchid

They have an awesome LEGO exhibit throughout the grounds of the U of M Landscape Arboretum

Another one of my favorites

Really?

Will, Quinn, Whit, and Eva

Bother and sister ant

Grandma, Grandpa, and the kiddos

Boys will be boys

Eva and her catch 

Aunt Julia and Whit 

 Will conquered the creek with his mighty rake

Whit and Eva found some empty snail abodes

Story Time

A little light reading in the laundry basket

Turkey Take 2

Now that we are Indiana residents, we are even closer to Turkey Run State Park, a gem we discovered a few years ago.  This time our little lady was out of my belly to enjoy the trip, and Whit was old enough to walk around the cliffs.  Awesome day.

Off to a good start!

Vacaciones Familiares en Playa del Carmen

We were blessed with another special family vacation this year to an all-inclusive resort that allowed all of us a break from the daily routine.  We enjoyed exploring a bit of the Yucatan peninsula and getting lots of pool and beach time.

They like pina coladas, and getting caught in the rain (which it started to do during this photo)

Trekking through the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum

One of the areas where they worked on scientific advancements

They had a fairly nice view

Big iguanas were everywhere, but this dude was the biggest

Beach girl

Our loves

 The Sand Zamboni :)

The ladies

Beach exploration

Mayan costumes did not scare our little lady

Happy Easter!

KryptonICE

Superman was NOT happy that he had to stop playing hockey to let the Zamboni clean the ice one last time before the end of the season.

Quinn's First Haircut

I confidently gave Whit his first trim, and it came out about as one would expect - slightly shorter blonde wisps.  He looked well-coiffed and ready to tackle year two of his existence.  But the idea of butchering Quinny's long golden curls made me a little ill, so I left it to Kate, my skilled artist of a hairdresser.  Quinn was a willing participant, and the result was the return of some bounce to her bob!