Leaves are falling

we went on a rainy excursion the other day to get some pumpkins. We are anti-crowd so that worked in our favor... But the rain posed a challenge for photo-ops and kids staying warm and dry. It was one of those adventures where it is pure madness, kids were soaked, cold, but we were happy to be out in the conditions, enjoying our surrounding area's offerings. Plus the hot cider was perfection!

 O had fun driving the bus, this kid cracks us up.

 Sis and the giant pumpkin... she is following basic commands... Let's go stand by the pumpkin, let's dance, etc.

 Our lil punkin is now running... and pretty stealth. She will sneak outside if the door is cracked open...Yikes!

 Spidey kid out front of his school yesterday

 Country Days preschool party

 Diggin for bones in the sandbox

 My zinnias are in their prime, next year I'm planting more and more... Already dreaming about the big garden and what we are going to do... I would love to fill the 100 x 50 space completely with zinnias...Wouldn't that be amazing!!

 Mums from the store are thriving as well.

O has been a tongue sticker outer since the SD zoo and the giraffe exhibit.

 Hours are spent on the deck, in the sandbox, out on the property a day. We do leave at times, but I still rarely feel homebound. There is too much to do around here. I've also been on an even bigger decluttering kick than normal, so I'm constantly cycling toys, clothes, etc. How do we accumulate so much stuff? The kids stay pretty entertained between dumping sand and digging in the dirt.

 I'm always attempting to stage a photo, Chris and Owen painted and created the minion pumpkin.

 My sweeties!

 Ara tries to help down by the barn. She really MUST be right where brother is, chasing him, wanting to ride the jeep power wheels, wanting to pet the chickens "Tick tick tick" she says, trying to tickle them.

And this. We are a few weeks into a rough patch with little sleep... Owen has been waking at night 1-2 times, crying for various things, and then usually when he falls back asleep sis wakes up. Chris and I haven't had any solid sleep from 3am on for days... I just keep looking at this photo when I'm feeling depleted, and it fills me up. Of course I look to my actual kids as well but sometimes you're so "in it"- wiping boogers, helping open up the baby gate, fixing meals, washing hands, all 10 times per day that it's easy to just keep running, keep moving, and not stop and enjoy the moment. Sometimes we take care of them more than enjoy and play. I was talking with my Aunt about this, sometimes as caregivers we are doing more care than actual playing, enjoying, being with our kids or anyone who needs additional care. It's tricky!  Here's to a little more energetic focus on play.

Arabelle Mae's First Birthday

I've had these pics loaded for a week but haven't made the blog a priority this week. Sleep, yardwork, exercise took the lead...Oh yea, and being with the kids. That takes up some time, ha!

We decided to have a small family dinner to celebrate Arabelle's first. Here are the two papas chatting it up.

Papa Schlitz hanging with "the O man" as he calls him.

Ara and O, such loving siblings.

Auntie Court came up for the day to spend it with us! So special.

Zo is quite obsessed with "A.Mae" as she calls her. So heartwarming to see this kids grow together.

The older cousins went down to the chicken yard to put them in for the night. The coop is their "lockdown" area, then the smaller area where the kids/chickens are is the smaller enclosed yard, which leads to their larger yard that is fenced but not covered. They roam in the large yard (probably 100 ft x 60 ft) 5/7 days.

Aunties and Nana enjoying the cool fall evening.

How many kids can we fit in the sandbox? This sandbox was a handmeover from cousin Mike, (now 21) and my kids play in it every day!

Mother & Son

Uncle Chris showing the kids the animals.

Peepers!

Grammy came as well! This was very very special, she hadn't been to my house since Owen's second birthday. This lady has been such a light in my life, so much love and sweetness she has enriched our family with. All of these ladies are just the best!

A little beach balling never hurt

Dirty deck climber

Walking since 10.5 months she's got it down... mostly!

Auntie Amanda made some amazing cupcakes and large cake for Ara. She is the family baker and darn good at it.

Tacos

Colin- the great tortilla flipper.

Happy sandy kids

Getting tired.

Chilling around the fire

Great Grandkids and their grammy!

COUSINS!

The birthday girl didn't sit like this very long. She was over it...Also I'm pretty sure it was the most chaotic present opening time ever. And I've seen a few. It was just crazy!

The smart family members hanging out in the back, away from the kiddos

Having fun exploring her new headband

Sissies!

It looks calmish but it was not.

Who is that from? What is it? I sorted it all out the day after, but was confused the entire opening time.

She just leaned back taking it in.

Brother always has a hug for sis.

Sweetness!

I took a break from picture taking for a bit.

My sweet mama and beautiful Sis.

Precious babe!

Zoning tired girl.

Baxters!

Ready for cake!

It was all going well, she was into it, checking it out...

Contemplating her first bite..

And then she went for it! AYAYA.... Mom was photoing, Dad was filming! OOPS! Parent fail. 

She got a blister that faded a few days later. She was still a little scarred when I brought the cake out the next day so I broke it into pieces and mixed it with my pumpkin cookies. She enjoyed it then.

                        This past year has been the hardest of my life. Being pregnant and having an older (yes VERY easy & mild tempered) child poses it's own challenges. After birth, there was a lot of physical healing going on for me for months. We were so blessed to come home the day after she was born, and that Chris took off weeks for us all to bond, heal, and just be together. Ara ate like a champ from the beginning, this was so healing for me, unable to feed Owen that way made my heart so happy. It also made me realize what we missed out on. I had never reflected in that way as I didn't know any different. Now that I do, wowsers! It was and has been like night and day. The normal hard stuff (sleepless nights, etc) is so different from the abnormal hard stuff (heart surgeries, appointments, therapy, unknown treatment, higher risk for colds and flus....) . Then, of course, Owen having his 3rd heart surgery when Ara was 6 months old was the peak of heart lessons. We made it through! What a sense of accomplishment!
                     Of course there was a lot of ease, peace, love, and light in this challenging year. There was more days of laughing than crying, and more minutes of awake than asleep!! Being a parent of two  (or more, I'm guessing!?) children is the easiest way to ensure you will never be lonely. I can't sit on the floor for more than 2 seconds without being mobbed, loved, hugged, wrestled, drooled on, and tickled. Sometimes I would love to do a quick yoga pose without being sat on, or pulled, or "smushed with love" (as we call it around here), but I'm trading most free time for the hugs and snugs.
                       Ara Mae, Arabelle "princepesa" aka "pesa", you are my sweet n sassy toddler. You waddle around talking on your hand like it is your phone, say hi, bye, mom, dad, dog, lalala, and bro, continue to eat anything we give you, sit in front of us to get your shoes on (on command), steal brother's hat, put it on, and walk around like you own the place, follow simple directions, and of course give the best hugs. We just love you so, and cheers to your first year!