Bittersweet Fall

I do have to say, I do enjoy fall. I love the sound the leaves make under your feet as you walk through them. I have always enjoyed that crunching noise...don't ask why. Most days, the weather is pleasant enough. The colors on the trees are so vibrant. Then of course...they all fall to the ground and leave us with bear trees that are only a reminder of the looong winter to come. That's what I hate about fall. It leads into a season filled with blustering cold, snow and ice. I guess enjoying every last day I can of the pleasant weather will get me though.

This year, the kids must have remembered last fall, which surprised me. Once the leaves started falling, Elaina immediately started asking when we would make a big pile. Soon enough, my dear, soon enough. Here are some pictures of their long awaited "big pile".

Happy Halloween

I hope that everyone had a nice Halloween. This year was so much fun for the whole family. The kids decided pretty early on what they wanted to be. I thought I may get one more year doing some kind of theme costumes, but they had other ideas...but we worked it out. Grace decided on Cinderella, Elaina on Princess Belle, Seth on Buzz Lightyear. So I decided I could be Snow White. Jason was pretty easily convinced to be Woody. The kids got a big kick out us dressing up as some of their favorite characters. Our festivities kicked off a week ago, when on a dark, cold, rainy night we went to Greenfield Village. They did an amazing job as spooking up the village. The costumes were so beautiful. They had several scenes through the village that were very spooky and fun. Of course, the kids had their first school party this year. They had a bunch of fun at that. Yesterday, I allowed them to wear their costumes all day...because why not??? Then for trick or treating, you'd think they were old pros. Running from house to house, making sure the porch lights were on, yelling trick or treat...occasionally, I'd hear a thank you. Seth even had a new trick or treat song he would sing for a few special people. All in all, this will go down as one of the best Halloweens, I think.

Halloween night before trick or treating.

They loved the neighbors gargoyle.

To infinity and beyond!!!

Helping the witch stir her cauldron.

At the graveyard.

Hanging out with their preschool friends.

In front of the carved pumpkin tower at Greenfield Village. I didn't get many pictures that night because of the rain, but this one turned out OK.

Our First Preschool Fieldtrip

We had our first official field trip today. We packed up in the sprinkles and headed to Plymouth Orchards. The kids started off learning about how apples come to be. Their favorite part was buzzing around pretending to be the bee's that pollinate the apple blossoms so they can turn into apples. After the lesson, we loaded on a wagon and headed into the orchard, where they each to pick some apples. We ate the apples for lunch later that day...not bad!!! They also got to pick out a cute little pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. Seth, Grace and Elaina love pumpkins, so they really enjoyed that! My favorite part was heading inside for cider and donuts! YUM!!! Of course, Elaina had to use the bathroom and the only ones available there are port-a-potties...let me just say...YUCK!!!! I had to leave the door open and turn my head to avoid gagging. I have a bad port-a-potty phobia. I have always dreaded the day when I had to take the children to use them! Well, that day is here!!!

Seth and Grace pretending to be busy bees

Pollinating the apple blossoms

The girls were pretty tired today

Apple Picking (Elaina)

Look what we have!!!

Now I Need a Vacation from Our Vacation

Well, we made it! A 10 hour car ride, there and back with 3 toddlers. Not an easy feat...but they were surprisingly well behaved. We did break the drive into two days each way...so that helped. We survived late summer colds, car sickness, medicine regurgitation and an ant infestation, we also managed to have a lot of fun!

It was close to 100 degrees the first 2 days we were there, although the humidity was low, and the breeze was nice, so it wasn't too bad. We did a little hiking in the woods. The kids liked playing in the waterfall, which was more like a trickle of water streaming down the rock. It was a short hike for them though.

We visited the aquarium, which I highly recommend, if you're ever in the area, also Ripley's Believe it or Not???, and a mirror maze. The mirror maze was a lot of fun. We got through really easily the first time, but the second time was much harder.

You would have sworn we were one of the main attractions at Dollywood, as we strolled through in our choo-choo wagon. Seth loved to drive the cars and like the Veggie Tales roller coaster. Grace loved the roller coaster. Took to it like a pro. Hands in the air and screaming her head off the whole time. Elaina's favorite was the Ferris Wheel. She takes after her mom, and prefers the nice calm rides. Grace is definitely her father's daughter! Although our little thrill seeker couldn't handle her cookies on a ride through the mountains! Poor baby!!!

We visited Cherokee, North Carolina. Saw a mommy bear and her cubs in the woods (from the car...thank goodness), had a half mile, uphill walk to Clingman's Dome, which is one of the tallest peaks in the mountains. We also hiked to Laurel Falls, where we had the kids ride in the wagon. Poor dad...he had to haul them a mile up the mountain. I took them on the way down...which was harder than it sounds.

Now we are home and are exhausted. The kids are pooped and actually fell asleep close to 8 pm. That's unheard of for them. Now comes the task of getting them back on schedule.

Fall Fest

You know the end of summer is near when the city of Plymouth holds it's annual Fall Festival. For years now, my dad has worked endless hours in the pit, flipping chickens for the Plymouth Rotary. When Jason and I decided to get married in September, the only thing he said, was...as long as it's not on chicken Sunday! Priorities, right! LOL!!! So year after year, the crowds flock to Plymouth for the super secret spiced chicken in a box, served with corn, chips, roll and a cookie, and this year was no different. Although it appeared as rain would have us take our chicken in carry out form, the clouds parted to a beautiful day.

Anthony, Grace, Seth, Elaina, Genieve, and Francesca on an old fire truck.

Seth, Elaina and Grace on the carousel.

Anthony, Genieve, Grace and Auntie Dawnielle getting ready to board the ferris wheel.

My heart about skipped a beat...that's my baby up there!

Elaina, Seth, Daddy and Grace riding the fire truck. Elaina didn't like it!

Fun in Grand Haven

Well, I'm finally getting around to blogging about our trip last weekend to Grand Haven. We had such a wonderful time.

For those of you who may not know, I'm part of the best online triplet group there is, and have met some incredible women in cyber space. So, some of us decided on a meeting place. June and her family came in from Wisconsin, Karen and her family came in from Chicago, Sheri lives in Grand Haven, and of course, Jason and I from Michigan. June's family camps, so we were able to stay right next to each other. My kids, especially Grace and Elaina LOVED her daughter, Eva. Everywhere we went, my kids had to know where their "friends" went! It was very cute. We spent some time at the beach together, we shared a campfire, we had a great time at Sheri's house for dinner, went to a very tasty winery, and almost got kicked out of the campground together!!!

Yes...that's right, I said kicked out...turns out, the camp we were in, alcohol was prohibited...oops!!! Obviously, those people have never camped with two sets of triplets, plus one! Anyways, we got busted not only for some adult beverages, but we were too noisy after quiet time.

There was a very great hot dog place downtown. Junes hubby was sitting at a table with all the kids...yes, all 7 kids...when someone walked by and asked if they were all his...I still think he should have said yes just to see their expression!!!

At Sheri's we worked on a traveling project for one or our friends daughters, who is in kidney failure and in need of a transplant. For more on that, check out Mira's blog! She is the cutest little peanut, and such a trooper!!! We also had a great bbq, and there were so many kids to keep each other busy, the adults actually had a nice time too!!! Imagine that!!! Sheri's house is like a child's dream...so many toys inside and out...the kids were all on overload. It was wonderful!!! Thanks again, Sheri, for hosting our family!

Hopefully, we can make it an annual trip to meet up with all of our friends that we usually only talk to over the Internet!

One Down, Two to Go!!!

Elaina showing off her Princess Belle panites!

It's official...Elaina is potty trained!!!! YAAAAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! She went through our whole weekend in Grand Haven with no accidents!!! Which was quite an accomplishment, since she was playing non-stop!!! She is so proud of herself, and has to wear her Princess Belle panties every day!!!

I'm so proud of her. She started off so rocky, and I thought she may be the last one, but she wants to please sooo badly...she was the first!!! She is my big girl now, for sure!!!