A Tree Hunting We Went

As has become our tradition, the day after Thanksgiving we headed out to breakfast and then went tree hunting.

For the second year in a row, Nolan’s parents joined us.

We go to one of the few tree farms in Albany, Volsteads, and LOVE the experience there.

You ride in a tractor pulled wagon out to the right tree lot for the size and type you’re looking for.

It’s fun because they take you past barns and fields of animals.

Then it’s a matter of heading out into the trees to find the perfect one.

And, of course, you have to check out the birds along the way.

Then hauling the tree back out to wait for the wagon to come by and pick you up.

We have yet to be rained on during our tree hunt and love it!

Back at the entrance to the farm, it’s fun to check out the model train and have some hot chocolate while waiting for the tree to be shaken and bailed.

What a perfect day for family pictures!

Jace thought the whole experience was really cool.

Fall Holidays

Before we get to the holidays, I have to show you one of Jace’s favorite things to do…

He loves to sit on our bottom step. One evening, he hadn’t made any noise for a little while, and I found him laying like this.

For Halloween I made Jace an Elmo costume. We had a movie night at church the Friday before, and the theme was super heroes, so I went as Super Grover and added a cape to Jace’s costume so he could be Super Elmo.

 

He was pretty proud of his costume.

Our first time trick or treating made him a little nervous. It didn’t help that he had shots that day and ended the evening with a fever.

Watching a movie with Daddy while Mommy handed out candy.

Our Muppet family.

Thanksgiving was at Jared and Rayanna’s with the Nelsons and Kneppers. Jace LOVED Aunt Rayanna’s dolly highchair from when she was little. This is a typical moment between Jace and Nowie, his kitty. He loves to chew on her face.

An attempt at a family photo.

Jace, Nowie and Daddy hanging out.

Pumpkin Patching

While my mom was in town, she, Anna and I thought it would be fun to go to the pumpkin patch. If only Jace had understood that a big chunk of the fun for mom is the picture taking…

Siah, Micah and Cami found a worm on the ground FASCINATING while Jace was just interested in being on the move.

Our best attempt at a group photo…

Jace was happy to walk through the corn maze with his “Na.”

Another attempt at a group photo… Jace didn’t think it was worth posing for.

At least these four were happy!

Another attempt, “These are my angry eyes.” (I heard Mrs. Potato Head from Toy Story’s voice as I wrote that.)

Jace thought pumpkins were pretty cool.

Let’s try this again.

A stop at E-Z Orchards meant a lot of fun with tractors!

Cousins!

If only he had legs long enough to pedal…

We Love Family!

This fall we saw lots of family!

The Steiner kiddos came and spent a weekend with us. Cami and Jace enjoyed book reading together…

…while Micah and Josiah had fun watching shows on Netflix.

Grandma came to visit, and even though Jace had been sick, he still wanted to go for a ride around the block with her on his bike. Toby didn’t mind!

Aunt Jenni came to town and Jace decided the name “Na” was perfect for all of his aunties.

We celebrated Grandma and Uncle Dan’s birthdays with a fun family dinner.

Jace isn’t always the life of the party…

So fun to celebrate together!

This Kid Makes His Own Fun

Jace really is a content kid. He entertains himself really well and loves all his little games that keep him busy. One favorite activity that he goes back to every day is playing with his cars on his toy garage.

And he really likes it when his daddy gets on the floor to play with him.

Another favorite is moving q-tips from a drawer in my bathroom to our bed while I get ready in the morning.

For some reason, the bed is just the perfect place to put them…

…back to the drawer for more…

…and then back to the bed.

And we can’t forget just how much it is to pull all of Mommy’s clothes out of her dresser.

Snapshots…

As 2011 is quickly coming to a close, I’m feeling the need to close out this year with some good blog posts! So yay for Grandmas and Aunties, you get to see some snapshots each day from now until the new year, getting us all caught up!

This child is getting older way too quickly for me. It’s hard to believe it’s already been three months since these pictures were taken. He is so proud of every time he gets to be a “big boy,” like wearing his backpack, carrying all his things, etc. Whenever it’s time to go somewhere, he has to gather all the treasures he feels like taking… cars, sippy cup, blankie, kitty…

While he is capable and coordinated, he lacks a sense of adventure. Because of that, in his mind, the only way to climb the single steps up to the front path and porch, he can only do it while holding my hand. He doesn’t even try to step up himself, and even though he really requires to help from me, his hand must be in mine in order to step up.

This child loves to stuff his face. And if the meal is chocolate chip pancakes, the faster you stuff, the better.

He’s always paying attention to details. One day Nolan was wearing a striped shirt that looked similar to a pair of Jace’s jammies that has a dinosaur on them. Jace kept pointing at the shirt and saying “roar!”

He loves all things electronic or with buttons… remotes, laptops and elevators are his favorite!