My birthday actually fell on a Saturday this year so it was a fun day with the family!  We went to the apple orchard in the morning and then walked around an art fair for the afternoon (oh, and I must mention that I started my birthday with a 6am run followed by an 8am flag football game…no sleeping in this year!).

Isn't she just the cutest?!?

Kayla had fun picking and tasting! I think she tried every kind.

Kenzie just had fun running around!

Kirk, of course, had fun tasting as well!

Just a cute picture of my girl

Such a great apple picking day!

Andrew and Kayla got to "add" to the masterpiece and paint for a while at the art fair. They loved it!

We decided to try Nicole’s yummy smoothie pops. The kids LOVED them!  You all must try them.  I think you’ll like them too!

See? They are delicious!

Do you want some? No - you better make your own. This one's mine!

Kirk and I decided to take a QUICK trip to St. Louis.  We left here after an EARLY flag football game and headed straight to St. Louis.  We met the Diehl’s for lunch which was SO much fun.  SO glad we got to see them even if it was a very quick visit.  Nicole – next time we need to take a pic together!  Nicole pointed out to me that between the two of us we have kids ages 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.  CRAZY!!

We then headed to the cards game.  Even though they lost, we all had a great time!  The kids really enjoyed it.  Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the tickets!

Kenzie watching Andrew's flag football game before we left.

The kids were REALLY curious as to what was back there. Matt decided to go back there and growl. My kids about had heart attacks....

but not Jack Henry...he was all smiles after the growling! LOVE this pic of him Nicole. What a cutie pie.

ALL the kiddos. Luke (6), Andrew (5), Bennett (4), Kayla (3), Jack Henry (2), and Kenzie (1)!!

Daddy gettin some Kenzie lovin at the game.

All three watching the game....Kayla with cotton candy!

What a little poser!

Family pic - thought this turned out great on the first try!

Kayla with her great friend Avery...

They were having so much fun!

Kenzie was just having fun walking up and down the sidewalk

Andrew got his turn behind the wheel!

This is what Kenzie does EVERY time she hears an airplane in the sky.

Cute Kenzie getting ready to climb on something she's not supposed to be climbing on. Turned into a good pic anyways

Andrew decided to try flag football this fall.  He has really done great with it and loves playing.  Here are a few pics from all of the games…

He gets the flag!!!

Running to catch a guy....

On his way for a touchdown! He was so excited!

About to get his flag....look how much taller he is. And, he's like this with most kids his age!...doesn't get that from his momma

We spent the day hanging out with Jen and Chad (sis and bro -n- laws) and our niece and two nephews!  We had such a nice day!  I got to relive old memories and do some back flips on the trampoline, we got to celebrate Chad’s birthday together, and the kids got lots of play time with their cousins!

Kayla talked Aunt Jennifer into reading a book, or two!

Kenzie loved playing ball...it was about the same size as her

Happy Birthday Chad!

Look at the trampoline action! The kids had a BLAST!

Kayla loved it, but at the same time got nervous too

Here we go!...this was before the back flips.

And, now, the big boys get on.....

Look closely - do you think Kirk and Chad are maybe too much at one time?!? You can barely see Andrew!

We did a little swinging too!

Kirk and I took the older two to a colts preseason football game.  Andrew has been to one or two with Kirk before, but this was Kayla’s first time going.  She was SO excited!  We were lucky enough to be in one of the suites.  Walking to the suite, every time we passed a suite with the door open, Kayla would yell out, “There it is!!!”  It was so fun to see such excitement in her.

Ready to go!!!

This was so cool. They had two army men propel down with the american flag during the national anthem.

Colts huddle!

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That morning, Kayla and Kenzie both wanted cereal for breakfast.  All of a sudden, Kenzie was wanting the cereal out of Kayla’s bowl.  Same. cereal.  Anyway, Kayla just decided to help herself to Kenzie’s since Kenz was eating hers

Ah, sisterly love and sharing!

So happy about it too! Ignore the food you can see in Kenzie's mouth, k? thanks.

So nice when they actually show their love for one another!

This is long overdue.  I’m way behind on this blog…because I have been working on another project that you’ll all know about soon enough.

Andrew started kindergarten this year and Kayla is in the 3’s class at preschool.  School is going well for both of them.  Andrew definitely had a transition period that first week, but he is doing great!  He loves school, has found a couple buddies in class, and is doing really well.  Kayla loves going also.  I feel for her teachers though – 12 kids in the class and 9 of them are girls!  That’s a whole lotta girls.

Andrew INSISTED on wearing his new t-shirt sporting the name of his new school on the first day.  I really wanted him to wear the nice polo shirt, but he won.  I wasn’t willing to fight that battle.  So, the front of his shirt is blurred on purpose.  I don’t need people knowing where he goes to school that don’t need to be knowing!

He just seems so much bigger to me now.

The three of them before we took Andrew to the bus stop. The girls are still waking up, I think.

Getting ready to board the bus!

And, he's off! With very few tears I might add, by both of us!

Kayla's first day, finally. She was so excited and didn't start until a couple weeks after Andrew did.

Kayla wanted a few pics with Kenzie since we did group pics with Andrew!

Kenzie did not want to give up her pappy today!

The state fair is something we look forward to every year, but especially this year since we were unable to go last year (I had Kenzie the week before!).  Now, I did see people with week old babies there, but that’s just not for me.  We were actually able to go twice this year, once with friends (Sarah and the boys!) and once with Kirk.  Both times were so much fun!

The boys (Andrew and Eli) spent SO much time climbing on the tractors this year...something I don't think they did in the past.

Of course, Kayla and Sam had to climb up too. Only, they were holding on for dear life! They looked SO tiny up there.

And, just look at this cutiepatootie. How cute is it that he is asleep with his hands folded?!? I just love it!

The big boys went fishing also. Andrew caught a fish! (notice how FAR away he is standing from the fish....)

All four big kids got some ice cream! So cute!

She was wiped out and finally gave in!

Andrew and Eli fed the goats...the key word here is Andrew, the one afraid of even the smallest dog. So proud of him!

When Kirk went with us, with did the rides and dinner. Here, Andrew and Kayla are riding their first roller coaster. Both loved it!

while Kenzie enjoyed her chocolate shake....

If you enlarge this pic, you'll see how much Kayla loved the big slide....not at all.

Daddy and Kenzie danced to some music!

At the end of the night, Kirk and the older two did these small race cars. Look at Kirk - big boy in a little car He's practically smashing Kayla!

It’s crazy to me how LITTLE we were able to get the sprinkler out this summer.  It just didn’t seem to be a very HOT summer compared to those previous.  When we did, though, the kids had a great time!  Kenzie LOVES the water, and has no fear with having her face right in it.

Andrew and Kenzie showing their muscles to each other! Watching Kenzie do this is HILARIOUS!!

Another one of Kenzie showing her muscles. Her entire body tenses up and she even makes a grunting sound. SO funny.

Andrew decided to jump over the sprinkler....

So Kayla had to try also....

and, you guessed it, Kenzie did too!