Fall Favorites

Fall is a favorite season around our household.  The weather is pleasant, the leaves are beautiful, football season begins, etc...

By this fall it seemed as though both girls had grown up a lot & were hitting milestones left & right. 

Macy's reflux began to get better, making her a much happier child.

(Actually, making us ALL a lot happier...)

...and she started becoming more mobile, cruising everywhere.

Mia suddenly began looking and acting like a full-fledged toddler...

...and even started doing a once-a-week informal pre-school with three of her friends.

She absolutely loved going to "school"! 

 We loved our time outside, swinging being the favorite backyard activity.

  

We also had the chance to explore some more of the parks in our area & hiking became one of Mia's favorite pastimes. 

She requested it daily... even if it was pouring rain & hailing.

Of course a trip to the pumpkin patch was in order. 

Mia had a lot of love for those pumpkins & we had a hard time deciding.

And pretty much every Saturday is Nebraska game day, so red & spirit wear is a must.

With my marriage to Nick, I have become a Nebraska fan & I am not at all ashamed of it.  However, I can't say I'm a fan of the flag hanging outside of my house on game days.  

Marriage = compromise, as evidenced below:

Nothing says "autumn" like pumpkin carving. 

Nick & Mia had a great time gutting this guy together.

  

We found a funny little surprise inside. 

A couple of the seeds had actually sprouted & started growing in the pumpkin!

It turns out the shell must not have a very high SPF - the leaves are actually green.

 

Mia loved playing with the goop inside.

For a child who doesn't like to get her hands dirty, 

she had a pretty good time.

Relivin' the Glory Days

September brought two excuses for travel to Nick's old stomping grounds:  The first being our new niece's birth & the second being a weekend honoring his legendary college football coach at Northwest Missouri State.  Unfortunately, we couldn't all make the trip, but since Macy flew free, she tagged along with Nick for a visit with Nana & Papa.

Nick and Millie, getting acquainted.

Good morning, Macy!  Welcome to Omaha.

Slobbery kisses for Nana.  Macy is very affectionate.

Stuart, the proud father.

Auntie Rita & little Macy

On Saturday, Nick got to go down to Maryville, MO to reunite with teammates, coaches, & parents as they honored their recently retired head coach, Mel Tjeersdma.

The weekend went a little too quickly for everyone, but it was a fun trip!

Pool Party in Evansville

In August we took a road trip down to the southwestern corner of Indiana to visit the Inzerello clan in Evansville.

The drive itself was not ideal, with Macy getting sick all over herself & her car seat about an hour-and-a-half in, but we figured we were halfway there & were headed to the house of a doctor, so we stayed the course.  The clean-up along the side of the road & the remaining miles with a sick child in a disgusting car seat with just a blanket for a barrier between her and what the wipes couldn't get was something we have since tried to block from our memories, but we made it!

The next day, Macy was feeling much better & we had a great time hanging out with family and enjoying the pool.

Macy and Uncle Tony formed a special bond on this trip.  Maybe it was his resemblance to her Papa or his magnetic personality that made her an instant fan, but Macy couldn't get enough of him.

Thank you, Anthony & Jen, for being such great hosts!

Park City Reunion

All packed and ready to travel west for some time with family.  

Mia was particularly concerned with the safety features on our flight.

This is what vacation should look like...

Lounging in bed,

Pool time,

Outdoor concert in the mountains,

Dancing with cousins,

Feeling the groove.

Mia loved hanging out with cousins we don't get to see as often as we would like.

Time with grandparents is always a highlight.

On one of the nights we were able to get together with all of the extended family in the area. 

It was so fun to hang out like old times at Aunt Nancy's.

Mia bonding with Uncle Eric

Grandma Sue

Sydney, Ali, & McKenna having some girl time.

Amy & Grandpa Wally

The best of the 1,941 family pictures we attempted to take.  Unfortunately, we were missing Mike & Mary, but we will be happy to take a majority showing in a non-official reunion year.

Sadly, this was the best shot of our family.

Note the spit-up that just dribbled down Nick's wrist moments before.

Mia & Charlotte

Foot race with Uncle Brian

Grandma Sue & Grandpa Wally with uncooperative grandkids.

On one of the days we went up to the Olympic park to enjoy the Alpine Slide & Zipline.  While we were there, they were practicing the ski jumps into the pool & we got to watch for a while.

Mia thought that was just about the coolest way to go swimming.

The view from the top of the track.

Mia wasn't officially old enough, but we abode by the don't ask, don't tell policy & took her anyway.

She loved it!

One of the other highlights of the trip was spending some time boating.

Mia enjoyed her first time behind a boat & Grandpa Wally was the most appropriate person to show her the ropes on her first ride.

She loved the view from the boat as well.

McKenna & Syd, ready to roll.

Ali, Tyler, & Lizzy getting crazy!

Drying off & getting ready for a wardrobe change.

Ahh... the things you can get away with when you are two.

McKenna & Mia, winding down at the end of a fun day.

Another day we took at side trip to Provo, where I introduced Nick, Mia & Macy to BYU.

Our first stop was the Creamery.

I won't post video of the family talent show, but we had one.  

And it was memorable.

The best act goes to Grandma Sue & Grandpa Wally, who danced a duet in sumo ballerina costumes.

The rest of our time in Park City was spent relaxing & trying to forget what we witnessed during the talent show.

A good time was had by all.