Apple Picking 2022

It was another fun year and beautiful day at Crane Orchards in Fennville, Michigan. We were able to escape our crazy sports routine for exactly 36 hours to squeeze in some traditional family fun. This year, we decided on picking Jonagold and Cameo  apples for eating, and Northern Spy for baking our annual apple pie.

Crane Orchards 2022

Austen had fun juggling (hands and feet) the apples (only the bruised ones from the ground) while Hailey opted for Tom's shoulders to get the best pick (that's probably the last year for that). We got our steps in between the three different varietals before dragging our wagon-load of apples back to the checkout and hurrying along to try out our luck at this year's corn maze. We made it halfway through before a disagreement on which way to go happened between the boys and the girls so we decided to split up and make it a race back to the finish line. Girls lost but I'm not convinced the boys cheated by skipping some of the sign post markers. All in all, it was still fun although we were a lot slower this year in finding the markers. You'd think we'd get better at it each year! 

After the corn maze, we did venture over to the restaurant for some fresh apple cider and donuts which the kids and Tom look forward to each year! They were already halfway done with each before I even had any!

We ended the evening with a dinner out at one of our favorite places in Kalamazoo, and to burn a few more calories in addition to the corn maze and apple picking, we took Sadie on a hike that was just beautiful with the autumn leaves. Sadie loved it too; hiking at a good clip for 1.5 miles  and leading the way the entire time just excited to be outside in nature in a new place. It was so great to see her feeling so good and it seems it was just what she needed. 

It was a quick jaunt away that we needed too. It was nice to squeeze in some time for our annual family traditions, and I think we were all glad we did. Even Austen, who got to drive on the way home and avoid the turkeys that were crossing the road!

Last year for shoulders at almost 70lbs!

Sadie enjoying her fall walk

Always throwing or kicking something

Turkey crossing with Austen at the wheel

 

Hailey Turns 9

Hailey turned 9 on Tuesday, but we'll be celebrating all month long. She kicked off her birthday month on Sunday bringing custom cookies (Falcon cheerleading cookies) to her cheer squad so they could enjoy them at halftime after they all sang to her. 

On Monday, we let her open her presents/cards from all of her extended family. To say she is spoiled is an understatement. She got books, stickers, a new ski and bike helmet, earrings, a stuffed animal and a fox water bottle. Good thing she decided to have her friends donate to the Humane Society (where she is having her party) instead of bringing even more presents. 

On Tuesday, she woke up happy. Happy she was 9. Happy she didn't have to use a booster seat anymore (although she seems so small without one). And, hopeful that she would get the Apple watch that she's been yearning for at least for six months now. Off to school she went where they announced her name during the morning announcements and received a lot of attention from her friends and teachers throughout the day. 

Back at home that afternoon, we had a quick 30 minutes with all five us together to open presents and blow out her cake candles before Austen was off to a game and the girls were off to cheer practice. She had waited patiently all day to open her gifts from us and see if she was going to get that coveted Apple watch. Slowly she tore off the paper to find a Fox journal and activity book. She then proceeded to open a dog zipper pull, some cat pens, fake earrings (she can't get her ears pierced until after cheer season but both girls now say they want to), a bubble tea accessory for her backpack, a new sleeping bag and flashlight and finally...the white Apple watch she wanted. She was very happy as she had been begging us for a new watch since she was very embarrassed by her "Gizmo" but only because it's 7 years old and has been passed down from Austen to Peyton and then her. It's so old that her friends don't even recognize it as a Gizmo. I told her it was a classic and both Tom and I saw no need for her to get a new one until a few months ago, Tom received an email saying that the Gizmo and 3G was so old they were discontinuing it. So we were kind of forced into either buying her a new Gizmo or an Apple watch. Kind of a no brainer there. Anyway, we never told her that but she was very happy to have it. I don't have one myself so it's taken a bit of getting used to, especially setting it up. 

After presents, we lit the candles on the special cake she requested (chocolate and vanilla) with a Sox logo on top. Then I took Austen to the bus for his game while Hailey answered all of her bday phone calls on the way to get her special Chipotle dinner and then head off to cheer practice. 

I think she'll remember her 9th birthday. I remember mine - not because I got an Apple watch but because I got a yellow Smurfette shirt with my initials on the sleeve and then we went to the Ground Round for dinner where they had popcorn you could throw on the floor!

Is this the Apple watch? I think it is!

Love this new wolf!

She's so happy!

9 candles for our bday girl!

College Visits

Austen on campus at NU (no Peyton photos -
not allowed at event)

Last Saturday, Peyton had a swim meet in the city at Northwestern University. Now if you ever have been to NU from the western suburbs, you know how difficult it is to get there. It takes an hour at least but lucky for us her warm up time wasn't at the crack of dawn. So off, Peyton, Austen and I went. (Tom was taking Hailey to a birthday party and then to an Indian Princess campout in Indiana for the day/night, and I told Austen he wasn't sleeping in and lying around all day so he came too, and he was glad he did.) 

It was a beautiful day. Once we found the pool (Peyton's swim team and high school pool is so much better than NU's pool), we dropped Peyton off for warm ups and then Austen and I walked around campus for an hour and a half. Their sports facilities (except for their football field) are right on the lakefront. This is all relatively new as the last time I had really been there was when Austen went to soccer camp there when he was entering the 5th Grade. The view was gorgeous. The soccer field actually has the best view and much to Austen's pleasure the team was practicing that day, preparing to take on #20 Penn State the next day. After our long walk through campus on a gorgeous early fall day, Austen parked himself in the bleachers and watched most of their practice while I ran back and forth between Peyton's swim events. 

Me and Mia!

It's short course so Peyton swam a 25 Free, 50 Fly, 50 Back and 50 Breast. She shaved time off of all her events and even qualified for a regional cut in the 50 Breast (finally - first time she got to swim it since she had to qualify last year and the meet got rained out and then missed the next qualifying event because of our country club championships). The hard part is that she still competes 11/12 but trains 13/14. Once she turns 13 at the end of December, any of the times she has now won't matter for regional times in March so she'll be working toward attaining regional times at 13/14 which will definitely be more challenging. Anyway, good first meet for her. 

I decided that this was the day for campus tours so after collecting Austen and texting my niece, we decided to travel 20 minutes south and explore the Loyola University campus too. Mia gave us a great tour and it was nice we finally got to visit her now that she's a junior! We enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner close to campus before venturing home.

Both kids said they had a great day. Peyton was happy with her times and seeing all of her swim friends again. Austen was thrilled because he got to see a college soccer practice AND talk to the head coach. The coach had noticed him watching, I guess, and approached him after the practice. Austen said he addressed the coach by name and they discussed the team and upcoming Penn State game before he asked what soccer club Austen played for and graduating year. He mentioned to Austen doing one of their ID camps this winter too. Austen can't wait to sign up! All in all, a very fruitful day for my two oldest kids!