Beautiful day at the beach

Saturday morning we went roller bladding and biking at the beach. It was a beautiful day and we were the only ones there!

Jollay Orchard

We had a great time Saturday at Jollay Orchard in Colma. It was a beautiful fall day in Southwestern Michigan. The only down side was that due to the warm weather last February they didn't have any U-pick apples. It's been a hard year for people who's pay check comes from Mother Nature. 

We enjoyed the hay ride, ferris wheel, corn maze, fishing pond and the other outdoor activities. Eliza loved the kitten she found at the petting zoo. 

Eliza picked up the cat all by herself. She even fought off two other boys who wanted the cat. 

Carli's first time on the swing. She loved it! 

Eliza is begging for a pet for Christmas!

PTO tailgate, Football game and a suprise

We started off the evening with the EP Clarke PTO Tailgate. We arrived at 6pm, or the 7pm game, but missed the hot dogs, so Eric saved the day and bought us Little Cesar Pizza. Gretta was so excited to go cheer with the St. Joe Bear Varsity Cheerleaders before the game started. 

I told the girls I had to go pick up a package about 1/2 through the game. They said they wanted to stay with Dad. I picked up Linda at the Train Station and took her back to the game to surprise the girls. We hadn't told them she was coming in case it didn't work out. They were excited to see her. We are so glad that the passes worked and that hopefully she will get to come back soon again. She hadn't seen Carli since her baby blessing, so she has really changed. 

After the football game we went to the Chocolate Cafe for chocolate fondue. 

Look who is sitting up!

Look who is sitting up! 

What a cute face!!! 

Build a Bear

Gretta didn't have School today. They gave the teachers a day to figure out all of the new State Math requirements. It was so nice to have her home!!!! Eliza and I loved every minute of it. It was so much fun to see them play, and play and play in the morning. They are such good friends. It is so lonely for Eliza to have Gretta at school all day. She asks me everyday for a play date with someone.

I offered to take the kids to the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago, or Airzoo in Kalamazoo or to the mall in South Bend and they picked the mall! Is that crazy!!!

They wanted Panda Express for lunch and then we walked around the mall. 

Eliza ended up getting a Build a bear. I realized she had never made one and really wanted one. Gretta has been playing with her Girl Scout Bear a lot lately, so Eliza really wanted one of her own. The bear isn't the expensive part of the store!!! She she ended up getting a dog she named Isabella. She really enjoyed the experience.

Going to the mall was fun but it didn't make me feel like I need to drive 40 minutes again anytime soon to go to the mall. I guess I am really turning into a small town girl. Plus I felt pretty fortunate that I only ended up buying a build a bear for Eliza. The girls (especially Gretta) were begging for a lot of things. Gretta wanted more clothes and shoes. I think we are going to be in trouble when she is a teenager. 

Doesn't she look so excited!!!

She sure loves Panda Express!!! Eliza didn't want her picture taken. 

And then there were 7

We enjoyed watching the Christensen kids for the day while Mike and Elizabeth enjoyed a little get away before baby #5 arrives. My girls sure love their kids. We had a great time in spite of the weather. 

Friday night Eric helped them make Smores outside. It rained a little bit, but not enough to dampen the fun. It is really fun to have 7 kids. You should see the looks we got going places. Especially since they are all 6 and under! 

We sure had a great time and can't wait for the kids to come back and play again. 

Saturday after playing at home all morning we went to the kids movie at the local theater and then to the Kid's Museum and Carousel. The Conran's joined us too. 

Eric playing with fire and impressing the kids!

Dinner Friday night