Last night we took the kids downtown to see the fireworks as part of Grand Rapids' Celebration on the Grand festivities. The main reason being that while the kids were visiting my parents in Columbus for July 4th, there were major storms and the fireworks got cancelled. We wanted them to see a big fireworks show marking the end of summer! Quinn's parents met us downtown around 8 pm and we found a spot for our blanket to sit and listen to the classic rock band (they were pretty good) until the fireworks started.
About 8:45pm, Nita and Quinn took Grace & Maddie to the bathrooms. As Al and I sat there with the baby - about five minutes later it started to sprinkle. We gathered everything up off the ground and put Faith in the stroller. By this time it was raining harder and everyone was running for cover. Quinn came running back alone to put his camera away in the case. By this time it was pouring - like the skies just opened up and a huge bucket of water was being poured out from heaven!! We heard somebody on the microphone say "Fireworks are cancelled!" Well Duh!!! So we trekked back to the restrooms for the rest of the crew - I told the guys to take the baby back to the car and we'd meet them there. We were already soaking wet!!
As I understood it, poor Faith went on the ride of her life after that! Quinn said he was surprised she was still in the stroller when he stopped - he and Al got stuck in an area that was partioned off and they ended up making circles in there for a few minutes until they figured out how to get out! Lol! Meanwhile, Nita took Grace's hand and I threw Q's jacket over Grace's head - I took my sweater off and put it on Maddie's head, picked her up... and we were off!! Running with two kids in the pouring down rain, out of the park across the street, past the hotel and into the parking lot where we had parked! Nita could barely see because of the water running down her glasses, and by this time I (still carrying Maddie this whole way) switched her to my back. I couldn't help but laugh the whole way back to the car - it was crazy!!!
By the time the girls and I reached the car, the guys and the baby were nowhere to be seen! So we ran under a parking garage. They had left a good 2 or 3 minutes before we did, but like I said - were stucking making circles in the partioned off area!! Lol again!!! My only sadness is that we didn't snap an "after" picture while standing in the parking garage looking like a bunch of drowned rats! Quinn didn't want to power up his camera while wet - understandable.
All that to say that it was an unforgettable evening anyways without the fireworks and now we have a fun story to tell!!
Grace, Maddie & I continued our annual tradition by carving the family pumpkin tonight. Grace scooped out the guts for all of 2 minutes until she realized her hands were goopy. She then washed up quickly and went over to start drawing. Maddie however kept coming back for more-- I had to make her stop, she loved digging in up to her arm pits.
Top picture is done w/ a long exposure zooming out while the shutter's open. Bottom picture is done with long exposure zooming in while the shutter is open. I like the "ghost" effect of the top and the popping eyes of the bottom.
Today we took the kids to an apple orchard and farm for some family fun before it gets cold this week! First we had a lovely lunch at none other than McDonald's (figured it would be cheaper than where we were going) and then off to Robbinette's! Who should we run into 
right away but the Valentas - some of our most favorite and beloved friends! It was nice because then we both we able to take pics of each others families with everybody in them! We said goodbye to them and then... looked at big pumpkins, played on the wagon slide, ate warm homemade doughnuts and fresh apple cider
, also saw how they made cider and doughnuts, bought half a peck of apples and some fresh kettle corn and finally made it to the car to go back home! Whew! The girls had a great time and we did too - you know, I had so much work I needed to get done at home today, but that will always be waiting for me. My family comes first and I wasn't going to waste a beautiful day inside cleaning (like I do every day!). I love my kids and my hubby and thank God for how He has blessed. It truly was a great day!
Just Faith eatin a biter biscuit and gettin real messy! Time for a bath!! (Her bib reads "Nana & Papa Love Me" - made for us by Lanette Bowen) 
Is there really anything more to say? I know who I'm rooting for today!! Oh how I would love to be in old O-HI-O today to watch the game with my family! Go Bucks!!!
Last night we took the kids downtown to see the fireworks as part of Grand Rapids' Celebration on the Grand festivities. The main reason being that while the kids were visiting my parents in Columbus for July 4th, there were major storms and the fireworks got cancelled. We wanted them to see a big fireworks show marking the end of summer! Quinn's parents met us downtown around 8 pm and we found a spot for our blanket to sit and listen to the classic rock band (they were pretty good) until the fireworks started.
By the time the girls and I reached the car, the guys and the baby were nowhere to be seen! So we ran under a parking garage. They had left a good 2 or 3 minutes before we did, but like I said - were stucking making circles in the partioned off area!! Lol again!!! My only sadness is that we didn't snap an "after" picture while standing in the parking garage looking like a bunch of drowned rats! Quinn didn't want to power up his camera while wet - understandable.
Pictures below...
I decided to take some pics of Faith playing while Maddie was in dance class - she kept looking at her zebra and then putting him in her mouth. Cutie Pie!!
Somehow this pic got left off when I published the last blog, but it's cute and I wanted to include it! 
After watching Grace go to dance class for two years, it's Maddie's turn to shine! We decided that with Grace being in Kindergarten this year and church activities on Wed. nights and Sundays, she was going to be too busy to go to dance. Maddie, on the other hand, needed something special to do that was all her own. Thankfully Nana Heidi & Papa Wes are going to continue to treat Maddie to dance class instead of Grace. Yesterday was her first class and she was just beaming the whole time. From the moment we arrived and I started to take pictures she just lit up like a Christmas tree! Maddie's posing for these photos is all her! Sometimes it's hard to get her to smile naturally, but not yesterday. She kept saying, "... and I get to dance this time?" Enjoy the pics - she is so precious to us!!
Last Sunday night we had some friends over after church for pizza, desserts and games. In all between our three families there were 6 adults and 10 kids! The kids played so well together and the adults were able to enjoy some uninterrupted time to play games and talk too! (Until 1 o'clock in the morning!) Thanks for a great time everyone!
