September fun!

September was a fabulous month! We went to the state fair, had a family vacation (shared with good friends, the Frey's), the zoo, and a few trips up to Alexandria. I enjoyed the start of my extended maternity leave with both kids and was grateful for this extra time with my children. As you can see from ALL the pictures, lots of good times were had this month!

AJ enjoying an ice cream at the state fair. It was all over his clothes, but he sure enjoyed it!

Abby took several cat naps while at the fair. I think she enjoyed having all her senses stimulated :)

AJ rode on several rides, and when we told him he was all done on the rides, he was pretty sad. I think he could have stayed at the fairgrounds all day!

Adam and AJ on the teacup ride :)

I think that the highlight of our day at the state fair for AJ was not the rides, the food, or all the other attractions... it was riding on a real bus to and from the fair!

This summer at the zoo we were able to feed the giraffes! What fun!

AJ had fun counting all these turtles at the zoo :)

AJ's favorite animals at the zoo are the sharks... he talks all the time about how many teeth they have.

I love having a sweet little girl to play dress-up with!

See the chubby little thighs?

Grandpa and Abby are super close. She loves snuggling with him :)

AJ has this wonderful blow-up pool, and he chooses to stand in a little pot that was meant to be a scoop.

A little posed, but AJ really does love his little sister!

A handsome man at a park in Alexandria.

Abby is such a sweet little baby. She looks up to her big brother so much!

AJ LOVES bowling! We went a few times in September while visiting grandpa and grammy in Alexandria.

Aunt Judy had fun holding Abby while we visited her on her land.

AJ enjoyed playing with cousin Kristi. Here they are playing bubbles again.

Abby checking out the camera.

AJ had fun playing in the sand at an awesome park called Chutes and Ladders.

Daddy's girl.

Daddy time.

AJ had so much fun with Clifford at the science museum, but he did want me to sit with him while taking the pictures :) He kept holding his hand/ paw and pulling him around.

AJ driving the bus at the children's science museum.

My brave son touching the snake.

Playing with the bubbles and soap.

AJ and his girlfriend/ buddy, Haley.

Abby loved sitting in her bumbo starting at around three months. She would sit up straight and watch everything going on around her.

Cuddle time!

Daddy and AJ at the zoo looking at the bears. I love seeing Adam's resemblance in AJ.

AJ feeding the goats with "teddy".

So sweet!

AJ had a blast this day playing in the rains. He took off his boots to play in the puddles in his socks, of course!

Playing on the rocks at the park in New Prague.

I think Abby is a little confused by her brother, what do you think?

Abby slept away half her time at the pool while on our family vacation up north.

AJ had a blast splashing down the slide into the pool.

AJ, Haley, and Tyler are the best of friends! They played together so well during our week at the cabin. They shared toys, food, and many tender moments. I love seeing how great they all get along! Here they are all sharing a snack of chocolate cupcakes.

Playing on the tire swing at the resort right next to the cabin we stayed at.

Katie is so creative - she thought of this kodak moment :)

Lance is pulling AJ along in the wheelbarrow as he exhausted himself on the way home from the park.

Playing in the water.

Chasing one another at the beach while playing at the resort.

Fun on the boat!

Playing at the park.

Smores!

You think maybe AJ is planning something?

A lovely sunset after a lovely day.

Good thing we brought so many clothes!

Abby got in lots of tummy time. She was holding her head up so well and enjoyed watching the kids all play.

Adam and I took the kids into town one afternoon and enjoyed the scenary. AJ had a blast on his daddy's shoulders.

AJ enjoying an ice cream at the park. He loves his sweets!

So cute! We have to watch these two close in about twelve years :)

Abby enjoyed sucking on her hands, and being held by Katy too :)

We needed to bring lots of things up north to make sure we had all of life's necessities - this includes our big swing :) Here is Abby taking a little nap between play.

AJ has always enjoyed playing with his little sister on the floor.

I love her smile...and her cheeks...and... :)

Katie introduced me to the little clips that stay in her few long strands of hair - I love it!

AJ and Abby having a conversation.

Abby talking to the camera.

Making art projects.

Of the many things we all brought was the toy car. Here is AJ and Haley playing together.

Katie and Lance bought the kids all these super cute hats with lights on them. So cute!

Reading a book together during "quiet time".

AJ and Haley coloring together.

I love this pose.

What a happy baby!

AJ loved Tyler's boots - good thing Tyler brought two pairs!

There was an eagle's nest a few hundred yards away from the cabin we stayed at. How cool is that?

AJ's favoriate activity on our vacation was throwing rocks in the lake. I think the water level rose about a foot due to all the rocks he threw in!

I love the expression on his face here.

Sifting the sand.

Gloves and boots - how much fun is that?

Getting ready to go outside.

Me?

I love Abby's tummy.

Pushing Haley in a plastic bin.

I want to tickle that tummy!

Looking for rocks by the dock.

Abby smiling for the camera.

Sharing blocks nad legos.

Looking at the stars out the window together.

Playing on the teeter totter.

A nice and quiet moment in the water.

Pulling wagons to the resort.

AJ loved "fishing" - Adam tied one of his little plastic fish to the end of a toy fishing pole, and he would "cast it out" and "reel it in" for hours!