I will stop being a blog slacker soon....busy busy.

We have a smart kid...

I put M&Ms in Connor's "gumball" machine last night and he gets to put a coin in and get an "em-ee" whenever he goes to the bathroom on the potty.

So far it has worked great (he only gets one every time). However, about 2 minutes ago, he ran into the kitchen, opened the drawer that has our coin bucket and helped himself to "money" and took off for his room. Why wait for me to give him a penny when he can grab handfuls of coins himself?!

Thankfully, when I asked him to put the money back in the drawer and told him those were only special potty em-ees, he obliged and took the coins back to the kitchen.

I'm just pretty amazed that he can even operate the stinkin' gumball machine at all...strong little dude!

You know you are a grown-up...

when you actually enjoy eating alone in a restaurant and don't think it is weird or uncomfortable. I used to feel sorry for those people...not anymore!

Michigan is colorFALL.

I've determined that October is my favorite month in Michigan. On top of the fact that I love busting out the boots, sweaters and light jackets it is BEAUTIFUL. I'll have to take more pictures of our yard too, but these pictures were taken at Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park here in Grand Rapids.
Friday morning Connor and I went to Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. We have a family membership there, but haven't utilized it in a long time. (It is about 20 minutes away.)

Anyway, I knew that their Autumn Colorfall exhibit was going on and I didn't want to miss out. I LOVE mums, so I knew it wouldn't disappoint. I was right. Connor was so preoccupied with the children's garden and running and playing that I didn't get many (any) pictures of him looking at the camera, but the scenery sure is beautiful. I might have to go back by myself so I can take pictures without my little "assistant". :)Recognize the bear? He looks a little different in the winter. Scroll down to see him HERE.

This is really random, but I don't recall ever seeing the giant mums before. As soon as I saw them I immediately thought of my mom and dad in high school. I remember my mom telling me about big mums that would have ribbon in the back and pipe cleaners that would spell out things or have numbers for their football players. At least I think that is accurate. I always thought that tradition was so cool and wished that I could have done the same thing.

Mom, do you have a picture of one of them from back in the day? If so, scan it in and I'd love to add the picture to the blog. :)

Connor & Lolly Dolly

Connor has recognized Lolly Dolly as "Mommy's baby" for some time now. She was mine when I was his age. She has a little rattle inside and is very worn out and soft. It warmed my heart on Thursday night when he got her out of his toy box and wanted to take her to bed. He insisted that I cover her up too. :)

Connor's First Day of "School"

I've been looking for a "Mother's Morning Out" program for Connor for months now. I mentioned my need at a Bible Study that I go to on Thursday mornings and one of the ladies mentioned a program at a Lutheran church a couple of towns over. I called later that afternoon and got Connor signed up for this week. He was so excited to go to SCHOOL. He was only disappointed to learn that he wasn't going by bus, and then he had a little bit of a rough time when I left him there. The ladies are fabulous and said that as soon as they went outside to play, he really perked up. :)

So, he will now be going to school from 10:00-2:00 every Wednesday. He takes his own lunch and has a blast. He gets to learn and play with other children, and I have 4 hours to do work or clean or run errands or whatever I need to do. Best $10 EVER!

Grand Rapids Marathon

Grant & Carrie come to Grand Rapids

We are so excited to have Uncle Grant & Aunt Carrie here for a long weekend! Grant and Carrie ran their first marathon this morning and Brian ran his first 1/2 marathon!! (that will be the next post...)

Connor helping Grant "roll out" Brian on Friday night.

They arrived Friday evening. On Saturday, we went to the race expo to get the racer's packets. Carrie was giddy and so excited...so cute. Then we went to Klackle Farms for a true Michigan autumn experience. Of course we took lots of pictures too. :)

Expo.

The swans are back!!! Beautiful mornings.

Klackle Farms is in Greenville, Michigan and it is probably best described as an autumn fun world. There are rides to pick your own apples or pumpkins, a "pumpkin train", inflatables, corn maze, BMX track, apple launching at targets, trike races, tractors everywhere, etc., etc. I personally think it is just one of those places that we will have to go every year until Connor is old enough to think it is obnoxious. I think I would go every year just to get the fresh pumpkin donuts and hot apple cider!! YUM!

Carrie did a little climbing to get some really good ones!!

A favorite of the two of us. :)

I got a little artsy....but I love this one.

I had to share my hot, spiced cider with a "friend". Carrie captured it beautifully!

Of course any family pictures of us are action shots. Connor claims to throw the apples for the deer....
All 5 of us!

Grant and Carrie didn't fly out until Monday evening, so we took the opportunity to go to the Grand Rapids Public Museum in the morning and then went to Hopcat for lunch.

Sleep....who needs it???

I should have been asleep long ago. Oh well. Just trying to check things off my long list of things to accomplish before I leave to pick up Grant and Carrie from the airport in Flint tomorrow afternoon!!!

One of the biggies, was getting my Christmas card design templates up on my design blog. CHECK. And check it out! Here is the link: www.nealondesign.blogspot.com.

Take the poll so I know which one is your favorite! :)

Gramma & Grandpa Chief come visit.

My current favorite picture.


The park and feeding ducks. I LOVE October!

he does a weird thing with his left arm when he runs....pretty dang funny


Orchard Hill Farms
— no apple picking, just pumpkins and animals —

Robinette's Apple Haus

— U-Pick apples and giant pumpkins —

If you made it all the way to the end of the photo journal, you might have noticed I got my hair cut yesterday. It has taken me almost 30 years to realize that if my hair is long enough (or even almost) to fit into a pony tail, I will do it. So, I'm embracing the wave and have a wash-n-go style for the first time in my life. I'm excited!!