Earlier this month we had the pleasure of having Mara, Jade and Ella come visit. Okay, so maybe they really came to visit my parents but we live close enough that we got to take full advantage of that. Just a week or two before they came Tatum started a very unpleasant phase of pushing. It has been a challenge and I have struggled with it a lot. Despite her sometimes bully-ish behavior I think we still managed to have some fun with them. Tatum certainly loves the girls, even if the feelings aren't always mutual, and I loved watching her love being around them.
Here they are on their first day seeing each other. Tatum just loved to sit there with her arm around Jade. I know she has her moments, but it's good to remember she has her super sweet moments too.
We ventured out to Kalona.
These two certainly managed to keep everyone entertained in the Amish grocery store.
Checking out a horse.
Kind of hard to believe these two are 14 months apart- they are the same size!
Just doing some swinging with Ella.
Cute little Ella with her own little pumpkin.
Grandma with a few of her granddaughters. Mara could not have chosen a better week to visit. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was the kind of fall weather I dream of. :) Too bad it only lasted that week and now it feels like winter is here. :(
One fun thing about Grandma and Papa's house is all the leaves. We live in a new enough neighborhood that there aren't any big trees to give us lots of leaves in the fall. So Brennan and I raked them up so the kids could jump in them. Then Brennan proceeded to make just about everyone have a turn being buried. You'll notice Tatum likes to keep her arms out of the leaves and her hands clasped, silly girl.
We tried to convince her getting buried would be okay if it was with Caden. It still didn't last long.
Even Grandma was coerced into having a turn. That also didn't last long...
One day we headed out to Lake Macbride so Jade and Mara could check out Papa's boat. He and Jade went on quite a ride. I think she could have stayed out there all day. Meanwhile Tatum and I spent some time on the dock and the shore throwing rocks in the water.
Another day we went to Kroul's farm. It was cute, fun place for the kids.
She looks like a teenager with an attitude. Oh boy.
The highlight of the farm was definitely the cat. The girls loved to pet it.
We also got to go to the local rec center's kid swim. It's a pretty neat program they have where on certain mornings they open the zero deck up to parents and kids for just a dollar per kid. They even provide the toys!
That night we headed to another pumpkin patch for a hayrack ride and hot cocoa and snacks. The corn bin was a hit.
Our little family on the hayrack ride. Tatum liked it but she would always get nervous when the driver would turn off the tractor lights (he was only doing it so we would be able to see the Halloween decorations better).
Most of the group on the hayrack ride.
Climbing on a tractor afterward.
We really took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to a billion parks. We even did a little hike at Palisades. This pregnant lady was definitely feeling it by the end of the week-too much walking!
Pretty proud of themselves for climbing the "mountain".
Pretty lucky to have such a good sport for a Papa.
Brennan with the crazies at the turn around point of our hike.
On the "beach". Hahaha
Just being pals.
They thought it was pretty neat that they got to be on this cliff/lookout with Papa and daddy/Brennan.
Making homemade donuts with Grandma and Macy. Oh yes, in addition to taking advantage of the beautiful weather we also ate a lot. I'm not sure we did anything besides play outside and eat.
Just hanging out on their last day together.
It always makes me so sad when it's time to say goodbye since the kids are so young and don't really grasp what is coming. Tatum started crying as they all got out at the airport (mostly because she thought she was going to be left behind) and Jade reassured her, "it's okay Tatum you can come to me house in a couple days." Oh, if only we could.
It was a fun week, thanks for letting us hang out with you during your visit! We miss you guys!
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