A Milestone

Today in the bathtub Mac said, "Look Mommy, I maked words!"

Moments that make you feel good

When you see your kids actually eating a vegetable.

Bedhead

I wish this picture could do this cute hairstyle justice, but you can get the idea. Corrie has been walking around with a little mohawk all day.

The oldest toy

The cardboard box: still the crowd pleaser!

* Note: Ellis wanted me to edit this to include that the oldest toy is probably actually the rock, but we skipped that toy with Mac for obvious reasons.

Three Foxes Winery

Last Saturday Mac, Corrie and I (Amanda) met Christina, Jake and their newborn Elsa at the Three Foxes Winery near our house. The thought never crossed my mind to visit a winery before, so when Christina called and asked if we wanted come along, I thought, "Hmmm, yeah, that does sound like fun...sure!"

We had a wonderful and relaxing time enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery (although we did have to tune out the whining babies...it was a "winery" we were visiting, after all!). Jake took some wonderful pictures, and you can see them below. I am so thankful to have cultured friends...thanks "Aunt Nina!" :).

 

 Can you see that table at the very top of the hill? That's where we sat!

 

Here Corrie and I are engaged is some very distinguished conversation

 

Sweet little Elsa taking a nap with daddy :)

There was even a hayride through the vineyards

  There was a little stream with picnic tables, hammocks and plenty of sticks to throw in the water :)

Corrie let us know when it was time to home... :)

Aunt Julia

One of my favorite pictures of Corrie! (....and you too Julia!)

Little Butterfly

First Birthdays

Just thought it would be fun to compare the first birthday cake experiences here. What an interesting glimpse into these two unique personalities! (Can you guess who makes the majority of the messes around here?)

 

Corrie Turns 1!

We can't believe it, but Corrie is already one! Has time flown by or what? We had such a wonderful birthday party at Lynn and Jay's house. Corrie got to celebrate with her cousin Hannah, whose birthday is just a few days apart from Corrie's.

There were beautiful cakes (a ladybug for Hannah and a Butterfly for Corrie) which were made by Shirley Kimmel, Lynn's mother in law. Mac got to play in the dirt, and the other kids got to play on the new swing set in the backyard. All in all, a great day :)

Mac takes playing in the dirt very seriously

As does Landon!

And the girls took eating their cake very seriously!

Dan! You made it! Next time make sure to bring your better half too :).

Both girls got such wonderful gifts!

Stay classy, Pasadena

Mac got to end his day with a ride on the lawnmower...can't beat that!

What would YOU do with your first pair of rain boots?

For anyone who knows Mac, this comes as no surprise.

yeah...sorry the video is sideways! Still learning how to use the video recorder on the new phone.

At the pumpkin patch!

Corrie had a great time at her first pumpkin patch...and so did Mac! Click on this link to see the whole album:

https://picasaweb.google.com/ellisandamanda/DropBox?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMjNyd3N65uZCQ&feat=directlink

Through the years

Yesterday, the kids and I went with Amy and Ryan to the Virginia Farm Market, which is a great attraction year-round for kids and adults alike!

I thought it would be fun to post pictures of Mac through the years showing his height at the various pumpkin patches he has visited:

Fall of 2009: Mac is 5 months and not standing on his own yet

 Fall of 2010: Mac is now 17 mo. and now has a baby sister who is a week old!

And this year, 2011...at 2 1/2, he wasn't quite as happy about posing this time (it was way more fun getting to run around and play in the pumpkins!)

p.s. What does this say about my fashion...I am wearing pretty much the same outfit in every picture!

Corina

Today she had her first taste of Great Great Grandma Sherman's spaghetti sauce recipe...and she loved it! I think it's safe to say that the Italian blood is running strong in this little one.

Daddy's Girl

Two in the Cart

At WalMart!

The Apple House

Grandpa & Grandma Belding came to visit today and we ate at the Apple House for dinner. As we expected, there was quite a mess to clean up, but we had a lot of fun (minus Mac's tantrum at the end).

We gave Corrie a pickle to taste, and after sizing it up, she gave it a little lick. We thought from her expression that she wouldn't be eating anymore, but it turned out that she loved it!

Mac got a cool train set that he loved and played with the whole time. I am sure he will be sleeping with those little trains in his crib tonight. No doubt I will be hearing "toot toot" from his room after I put him to bed!

Picture of a Patient Dog

Two in the cart

First time "sharing" the driver's seat! (I use the term "sharing" loosely as far as Mac is concerned).

Something I actually heard myself say yesterday: "Mac, I love you very much, but you may not push the piano on the baby's head!"

Aunt Joyce's Pool Party

We had a lot of fun at Aunt Joyce & Uncle Scott's pool party last weekend. Mac had a blast with me in the pool, and he loved being with his Grandpa & Gramma Johns.