Fall Fun in the Sun

Despite being the last week in September, the weather was absolutely gorgeous and Ella and I decided to go to the beach randomly for the morning to just plain run around, chase the birds, and play by the water.  I know there is a ton of pictures but it was so much fun watching her just enjoying herself sans toys and the landscape was just so pretty, I couldn't help but take tons of pictures:)

Crane's Orchard

The last weekend in September the Konings made their annual trek to Crane's Orchard to do some apple picking.  We always start off with eating donuts and having lunch at the restaurant and then head off to the orchard for some apples.  It has always been a nice family tradition and having our little girls there makes it even more fun!

 Ella and Lily

 Ella off to do some apple picking of her own

 The fam - Mom, Dad, Lily, Betsy, Jake, Kylee, Drew, and Ella

 Ella and Lily playing a little hide and seek

 Kylee and Drew

 Our little fam - Brad, Ella, and Jill

Camping at Oak Grove

Towards the end of September we went camping to Oak Grove in Holland with the Heukers, Geurinks, and Coppess'.  We really like camping in the fall but we were not expecting it to rain for a bulk of our weekend.  Heukers thankfully had a handy extra handy tent to have as shelter outside of the campers to hang out under.  Although the rain threatened to make the weekend a mess, we had a great time.  Despite the mud and wetness, the kids had fun playing together and we were still able to have some adult time around the firepit at night, which is always my favorite part.  Although the weather wasn't ideal, the great company more than made up for it:)

 The boys hanging out - Darrell, Drew, Joe, and Brad

 Drew and Jane working hard to keep the kids entertained:) - Mason, Kali and Ella

 Joe and Gibson

 Ella really liked Madison...or she really liked her exersaucer - I am sure it was both:)

 Everyone huddled under the tent...some good close bonding going on

 Ella and Layla being little artists with their sidewalk chalk

 Gibson

 Ella was practicing being a cool big sister with Gibs:)

 Madison

 Ella and Layla and Jonathan's beautiful artwork...oh yeah, and Joes:)

 Ella loved Mickey Heuker:)

 The gang around the campfire

I hope we will have many more fun camping trips together in the future!

Happy 29th Birthday...to us!!!

On September 11 Brad celebrated his 29th birthday! 

    Ella gave Daddy a homemade gift - "Happy Birthday" card / colored picture of Elmo and a paper weight (a rock she picked out of our landscaping and colored with markers:)

 Ahhh - tickle time!

 Riding the horsey!

At night we celebrated our birthdays at my parents house.  Whenever we all get together it is loud and chaotic fun.  Below is Reed and Kennedy screaming followed by the whole family randomly making a "rainstorm".

Kooper, Reed, and Kennedy

 Grandma with Kolter and Ella

 The birthday kids - Brad on Sept 11 and me and my brother Ross on Sept 12

The next day we celebrated my 29th Birthday!

Me and Ella eating the breakfast Brad made for me!  A special way to start the day.

That morning Brad suggested we spend the morning at Kirk Park and have a picnic lunch - I was so excited because that is my idea of a perfect morning/day!  It was amazing weather and Ella had such a great time playing in the sand and along the water.  I just got to sit back and relax and watch my 2 kids play:)

What a great couple of days...feeling blessed for our 29 years.