Life With Our Little Ladies

I've said it once and I'll say it again. New York is beautifully breathtaking! I have lived here all of my life and I'm still captivated by my surroundings almost daily. Maybe it's the geography. Maybe it's the people. Maybe it's the combination of locations and people paired with all of the seasons and their uniqueness. Regardless, there are hidden gems in every corner of the state. We've lived in this area of New York for the last six years and this was my first time visiting this park. I'm so glad we took the morning together to explore a new place and enjoy this beautiful view.

Saturday was the perfect fall morning. We loaded up the little red wagon and headed to the orchard to pick our first batch of apples. The girls were ready to go. Abby wanted to direct the whole activity, while taking all necessary precautions to ensure no one got stung by bees. It might have happened back in 2012, but I guess there are just some things we don't forget. Ella was all about walking and picking apples all by herself. Both girls worked really hard to fill our bags (while eating lots of apple along the way).

My beautiful 4 year old

Boots on and ready to pick some apples.

"Mom! Stop taking pictures!!!"

I love my family.

Abby wanted to take a picture of them eating the apple! :)

Perfect timing! We got to go apple picking with my favorite fruit picker. My grandparents started taking my brother and I fruit picking when we were really young. It was always a big family event. We picked apples, peaches and cherries mostly. Remember last summer when we went cherry picking and I found my 80 year old grandmother up in a tree? She's always the first to fill up her bag and always gets the best fruit from the tree. It was a great morning together filled with sunshine, fall air and fresh fruit.









Our trip the the orchard wouldn't have been complete without a stop for fresh cider donuts. We had all worked up such an appetite that Mama treated us to lunch in the farm cafe.  I'm pretty sure I had the best roasted turkey, apple, cheddar sandwich (with cranberry mayo) that I've ever tasted. Lunch was so good, we had to take our donuts to go. But, not before a picture with the pumpkins. Fall is so fitting for a family that bleeds orange, isn't it? :)

Nagymama was here for a visit last week. We LOVE having her here with us. The visit always seems to go by way too quickly, but is always full of the sweetest times.

typical day in our house..."Let me in Dad! I'm ready for work! Please Dad! Let me in!"

Buffy and Oliver finally meet

Oliver didn't seem to grasp the idea that Mama was Buffy's person. He takes ownership of every lap that hits that couch.

She's here!!

A night out at the mall with Mama is always a fun adventure. We were having so much fun that I made her try on the silky animal print outfit on the clearance rack for a picture. We both laughed so hard in the middle of Macy's that I almost peed my pants.

an afternoon of coloring

snuggled in and watching the Croods with Mama...Buffy's not so sure about this. I'm pretty sure she wants her spot back.

Last weekend was our second annual neighborhood block party. Joe organized the party for the first time last year and the committee worked hard to pull it together this year again. It's such a nice time hanging out with friends from the neighborhood and meeting new neighbors!

Check out the colorful chalk art masterpiece all of the neighborhood kids contributed to on our driveway. I love it!

True story: Mama has more energy than me on any given day. It is a rare occasion for her to slow down long enough to take a nap in the afternoon. After a busy morning in our house, we were all ready for a good rest that afternoon. I love that the dogs followed suit and took their positions on either side of Mama.

Busy day led to a quick drive thru Wendy's stop for lunch. Ella couldn't stay awake long enough to finish her nuggets.

playing airplane with Mommy and Baby Lillian

Few things are cuter than this. Ella has a bit of a shoe fetish and feels pretty grown up in her big girl undies. Put the two together and she has rock star status.

Abby doesn't nap most afternoons, but chooses quiet playtime instead. Last week, I went down to check on her and found her sound asleep!

my morning work buddy

Who needs a stuffed animal when you have Oliver?

Calling Grammy

Rainy days and cardboard boxes = decorate your own car afternoon

Ella is the mommy. Abby is her baby.  Ella had to take a call, while she rocked Abby to sleep.

Daddy had to go to work one night after dinner for a few hours. He made Abby's night when he invited her to join him at Panera for a cookie and same Gameboy time while he worked. She felt like the most special little girl and went to spend some time side by side with her Daddy (in her PJs and all).

Mix matched fashionista?

no words

Afternoons like this are perfect for large stacks of new library books in the hammock with my little loves

Sisters and their secrets. Ella: "Tell me something in my ear!"


Movie Night with Daddy. I was out working one night and Joe sent me these sweet videos with the captions: "Abby is that person you go to the movies with that asks a question about the movie every other second and wants to chat with you the whole time. Reminds me of her mother! :)"

She just loves quality time. We have learned that we need to make space every night to allow Abby to process life and share her thoughts with us.

Because every boy needs a bow tie!

I couldn't stage this if I tried. He grabs his blankie and curls right up on the couch for a nap. This sweet boy really is like our third kid.

"Don't bother me, Mom!"

Calling Uncle Cory

Ella loves her puzzles!