Carving Pumpkins!

Last year the time got away from us and we forgot to carve our pumpkins! But this year we got it done about a week in advance and then the pumpkins were rotten by Halloween, so next year I guess we will have to wait and do them right before Halloween! But we had a great time carving them and Mikayla even helped this year! The night was so nice when we carved them...that we played in the leaves in the dark!

Getting ready!

 Taking all the guts out! She wasn't too sure about it at first and wanted to wash her hands, but then she really got into it once she started scoopin'!

 Cleaning it all out!

 Decided on a face and is ready to carve!

 I helped her carve it out and she took out the pieces as they were carved-this is the finished product-eyelashes and all!

 Playing in the leaves at dark! It was so much fun!

 Family photo with our pumpkins!

Mikayla with the pumpkins! 

Mikayla's 1st fieldtrip of the school year to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard!

So even though I am not able to be at the same school building with Mikayla this year I vowed that I would take days off to enjoy her time in preschool with her. So the month of October led to 2 opportunities for helping out in her classroom-one a fieldtrip to the pumpkin patch/apple orchard/farm and then her Halloween Party. So I gave Mikayla the option to choose which one she wanted me to attend-she voted for the fieldtrip. So I was very excited to spend the day with her and James even went along too! Here are some of the fun things we did at Schwaller's Country Basket in Sparta!

Getting ready for the presentation of all the different types of apples they offer at Schwallers and also donuts and cider! YUM!

Climbing on the hay bales! This is Mikayla with the only other girl in her class...Brittney. Yes it is Mikayla and Brittney with 10 boys! But her and Brittney have been in class for 2  years together now and they have become good friends!

Picking out the perfect little pumpkin!

 Feeding the goats...I couldn't believe how brave she was-she got some food and put it in her hands and let those goats just eat right out of her hands. She wasn't scared at all. She went back for seconds and thirds! This was her favorite part of the day!

Class photo with her teachers Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Sheri!

I am looking forward to more adventures with her classroom-it was kind of nice to be back in preschool for the day!

Uncle John's Cider Mill...

One of our annual traditions is to meet our friends Rachel and Tom at Uncle John's Cider Mill that is north of Lansing! This year we went on a Friday night-which we realized is a great time to go because it isn't very busy! Check out our trip...

Mikayla and Rachel playing on the see-saw!

 Just some cute pictures of Mikayla playing on all the play equipment...she played while James and Tom watched and the rest of us did some wine tasting...fun was had by all!

On our way out to the pumpkin patch...

 She continues to get taller every year...

 Rachel, Tom and I after pumpkin picking...on our way to get donuts!

 Rachel and Mikayla at the cider mill...donuts and hot cider was the perfect way to end our annual trip!

Already looking forward to our trip next year!

October Fun!

So our new annual event in Grand Rapids is Art Prize...this year we didn't get to spend as much time as I would've liked too, but we did spend a sunny beautiful day downtown looking at some of our favorite art! Here is a few pictures!

Cute picture of Mikayla with the city in the background!

The lion made of nails!

Another activity we have accomplished this month is Mikayla's FIRST haircut at a salon. We took Mikayla to a hair place made just for kids-SNIP-IT's! She was a little nervous, but in the end, did great!

Before...

during...

after! SO CUTE! We went with bangs and a cute bob-with a few layers in it. It turned out cute and she did such a great job!

So after getting her hair cut, we decided to head to a local park the next weekend to take some pictures. Mikayla did a great job and we even got a few cute family pictures!

Our family!

Our little girl is getting so BIG!

September came and went...with many life changes...

Well not there is any excuse for my horrible job of posting on the blog...but our life seems like it has been super crazy and it all started the Thursday before Labor Day. I got a call at 8 am on the Thursday before Labor Day-5 days before school starts-that there was a 1st grade job opening in my district! I was planning on teaching preschool again this year and my classroom was right next to Mikayla's classroom! Feeling so blessed at the opportunity to be at her school with her every day made this a very difficult decision. BUT moving to 1st grade was a huge benefit financially for our family-so I had to make the move. The day before this James had lost his job and decided to go to college to get his degree in Computer Software and Networking. So this job transfer was a huge benefit for our family. So within 24 hours I packed up my classroom with the help of family and friends and moved to my new classroom at West. We began unpacking and getting prepared in my new classroom. Thankful for my wonderful family for spending the weekend helping me. WE did end the weekend having a little fun at the Noorman family cottage. It didn't turn out to be a very nice evening, but the kids and boys had a fun time going out on the boat and on their way back in they saw a double rainbow...check out the pictures below.

 Here is Mikayla on her 1st day of preschool. She has her 2 same teachers Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Sheri again this year. While I miss not being able to see her everyday, I know that she is in good hands and she LOVES going to school everyday!

 After doing gymnastics all summer and Mikayla loving it, we decided to do Gymnastics every Monday during the school year! While it is making for busy Mondays it is worth it when I watch her smile and having fun bouncing around on the gymnastics equipment. This is a few pictures of her on her first class in September!

I am going to work on getting some more post up...but right now I am working on my thesis and trying to keep up with my school work. Life is crazy...but we are having fun!